HOUSTON – It wasn’t even a question directed at Israel Adesanya, but he passionately intercepted it when it was asked.

At the UFC 271 pre-fight news conference, promotion president Dana White was asked about recent controversies involving commentator Joe Rogan, which included hosting controversial guests and a resurfaced montage video of him using a the “N-word.”

White didn’t get a chance to answer, as Adesanya took it upon himself to hold court. The UFC middleweight champion passionately defended the UFC commentator and advised him to block out negative comments.

“First off, let me take this one,” Adesanya said. “Hold up. I’m Black. I can take this one. Look, there’s a lot of c*nts in this game. There are a lot of snakes in this game. I’ve been in this fight game since 2008. Joe Rogan is one of the nicest, coolest, humble motherf*ckers I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Understand that.

“F*ck the noise. You know what they’re trying to do. You can’t control the man. He’s got the biggest platform in the world right now. That’s my n*gga Joe Rogan. F*ck the noise. … Just keep doing you, Joe. Have some mushrooms. Keep doing you.”

Israel Adesanya vehemently defends @JoeRogan amid his latest controversy.

“Joe Rogan is one of the nicest, coolest, humble motherf*ckers I’ve had the pleasure of working with.”#UFC271 | Full video: https://t.co/ArYOi51nJ6 pic.twitter.com/QKAVi2L4ux

— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) February 10, 2022

Adesanya (21-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) rematches former champion Robert Whittaker (23-5 MMA, 14-5 UFC) in the pay-per view main event Saturday at Toyota Center. Rogan is expected to be on commentary for the event for the first time since apologizing for his use of the racial slur.