UFC Commentator Joe Rogan Targeted in Bizarre Threats from "Liver King" that Lead to Influencer's Arrest
The internet has birthed a bizarre ecosystem of influencers and grifters who are fueled by viral delusion and mistake notoriety for relevance. These figures thrive on attention, no matter how unhinged. What unites them is a shared playbook: exploit algorithms, monetize chaos, and cling to relevance long after their credibility evaporates
Advertisement
In recent news, Brian Johnson, the controversial fitness influencer known as "Liver King," was arrested in Austin, Texas, for making terroristic threats against UFC commentator and podcast host Joe Rogan.
UFC announcer Joe Rogan during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena.Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The incident, which unfolded over several days, began with Johnson posting a series of disturbing Instagram videos challenging Rogan to a physical fight despite having no martial arts training, all while holding what appear to be golden firearms. Rogan remained silent as Johnson escalated his rhetoric, even traveling to Rogan's hometown.
Johnson's arrest occurred on June 24 after Austin police obtained a warrant based on his threatening social media posts.
Advertisement
The Travis County Court released Johnson on a $20,000 bond but imposed strict conditions, including a restraining order requiring him to stay 200 yards away from Rogan and his family. Johnson was also ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation and will be subject to monthly check-ins, all while wearing an ankle monitor.
He faces a Class B misdemeanor for terroristic threats, with the case still under investigation.
Despite the legal consequences, Johnson doubled down after his release, threatening Rogan on a video posted on Instagram, saying, 'We came here to pick a fight, and we're gonna do it. I would love to man-to-man challenge you to a f— fight. No one's going to die. But I hope we'll both get hurt.'
'The videos will never stop,' he said in an additional video.
Advertisement
Rogan had previously mocked Johnson on his podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, for promoting an "ancestral lifestyle" while secretly using steroids—a scandal exposed in 2022 when leaked emails revealed Johnson spent $11,000 a month on performance-enhancing drugs.
Rogan and his team, meanwhile, have avoided engaging publicly, leaving the legal system to handle the matter.
Related: UFC Champion Sounds Off on Joe Rogan Podcast: Refuses to Fight Unless Dana White Books Dream Matchup
Related: Manny Pacquiao Releases Training Footage, Leaving Boxing Fans Worried
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Madbury mourns Long family: 'A tragedy we'll never understand'
MADBURY — Community members gathered to mourn Aug. 21 at a vigil hosted by Madbury United Church following a murder-suicide days earlier that left four members of the Long family dead at their 14 Moharimet Drive home. "We are grieving. Hearts are broken at the loss of Emily Long, her husband Ryan Long, their son, Parker Long, 8 years old, and their daughter, Ryan Long, who was only 6," said church deacon Beverly Ketel. "We're grieving for a tragedy that we'll never understand, for children who will not grow up, for a toddler who will never get to grow up with parents and siblings." The couple's youngest child was the only member of the family who was not shot and killed. According to authories, autopsies and evidence show Emily Long, 34, committed the homicides with a handgun before taking her own life. Her husband, Ryan, 48, had been battling brain cancer. The tragedy stunned and saddened people in the small town of Madbury, as well as Durham and Lee, neighboring towns in the Oyster River Cooperative School District, and communites all around the region. "We're here for this community," said interim pastor Linda Hirst. People in attendance at the vigil cried and embraced each other. Some people left flowers. Many young kids were in attendence. Moments and memories shared at vigil Marie Oneill from Madbury said her daughter is going into third grade and knew the Long children who died. "Everyone in the grade would've known Parker," said Oneill. "No one can predict how things will go" with school starting next week, Oneill said. She said the principal sent out a nice email. "It's not something they prep you for as a parent." The mom said she has seen Ryan Long in car lines greeting people. She said the vigil was "lovely." Doug Rodoski, a Durham resident, shared fond memories of playing on the same team in a hockey league with Ryan Long in Dover a couple years ago. Ryan Long was a school psychologist at Oyster River Middle School in Durham. "My memories of Ryan was that he was a very skilled hockey player, very courageous, didn't wear a face cage, he just wore the helmet, and he could really skate. He was usually a defenseman, and for guys like me that were a little limited on talent, he would go out of his way to help cover my guy on defense," said Rodoski. "Even when he was on a different team, he was very supportive and always greet me and everybody else. "I want to send my condolensces to the extended family and the Long family, and this terrible tragedy," said Rodoski. "Ryan was a very valued member of the hockey community, and I understand he had a wonderful family. A tragedy like this really hits hard, and at the same time it brings community together and reinforces the importance of community." More: Attorney general warns against speculation a 'single reason' caused Long family deaths Eva Raynes, who grew up in Madbury, said she remembers Ryan Long as a school psychologist. Raynes said he was "very nice." She said she was with her mom and heard many sirens the day the tragedy happened. "You normally don't hear sirens in Madbury. You don't think it's going to happen in your town," said Raynes. Lee Fire Association helps raise money for surviving child The Lee Fire Association held an event Aug. 20 held at the town's fire station to support the community and raise money for the Long family's surviving child, said Chris Golomb, the association's president. Golomb said he approached the fire chief about holding the event, and he was supportive, as were town officials. "I know everyone's grieving in their own way. So many people want to help," said Golomb. A couple hundred members of the community attended, and $8,512 had been raised as of mid-day Aug. 21. "It was just one of those touching moments. I'm so moved by people's response ... people needed to get together," Golomb said. "Everybody wants to do what's right for the community." A local scout troop brought a cotton candy machine, and the Fire Association donated ice cream for attendees. People interested in donating for the surviving child can mail a check to: Lee NH Fire Association, 20 George Bennett Road, Lee, NH 03861. Donations can also be dropped off at the fire station in cash or check. Homicide case closed, but investigation is ongoing According to Ben Agati, assistant attorney general, the criminal investigation into the murder-suicide is closed following the autopsy results. Authorities are still investigating and doing interviews to understand what happened leading up to the fatalities. He said the investigation includes looking at recorded audio or video, such as body-cam footage from troopers who went in the home. Agati said he expects the findings to be examined by the state Department of Justice's Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee. Town, state and school officials offer resources Madbury Town Administrator Eric Fiegenbaum said the vigil was planned by the church as a non-denominational "small, quiet community gathering." Fiegenbaum said family members of the deceased approved. "The Select Board and town staff are saddened by what occurred this week on Moharimet Drive. Our hearts go out to the Long and Hobson families, as well as their neighbors, friends and coworkers. In times like this it is important we all support each other," a statement from the town says. Fiegenbaum said mental health services were offered to students and parents of the Oyster River Cooperative School District Aug. 21. The town administrator said the school partnered with New Hampshire's Disaster Behavorial Health Response Team, Community Partners and other organizations to offer resources. This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Madbury mourns Long family: 'A tragedy we'll never understand' Play Farm Merge Valley
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Erik Menendez denied parole 36 years after murdering his parents
Erik Menendez was denied parole during his first-ever parole hearing on Thursday, 36 years and one day after he and his brother killed their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez Erik Menendez, 54, attended the nearly 10-hour hearing via video from the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego. The board based its decision on multiple factors, including: the illegal cellphones Erik Menendez possessed in prison; burglaries he participated in before the murders; and the killing of his mother. MORE: Menendez brothers timeline: From the 1989 murders to their new fight for freedom Erik Menendez said he shot Kitty Menendez because she had "betrayed him." "I saw my mother and my father as one person after I learned that she knew [about Jose Menendez allegedly sexually abusing him], so when I was running into the den, I was in a state of terror, of panic, of rage," he said. The brothers' relatives said in a statement, "While we respect the decision, today's outcome was of course disappointing and not what we hoped for. But our belief in Erik remains unwavering and we know he will take the Board's recommendation in stride. His remorse, growth, and the positive impact he's had on others speak for themselves. We will continue to stand by him and hold to the hope he is able to return home soon." The board said he can next be eligible for parole in three years. MORE: Erik Menendez back in prison after hospitalization: Sources Although his parole was denied, Erik Menendez can ask the parole board to review the case for errors, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Separately, California Gov. Gavin Newsom can grant clemency to the Menendez brothers at any time. The parole hearing for his brother, 57-year-old Lyle Menendez, will be on Friday. "Tomorrow, we turn our attention to Lyle's hearing," the statement from the brothers' relatives continued. "And while it is undoubtedly difficult, we remain cautiously optimistic and hopeful that the commissioner will see in Lyle what so many others have: a man who has taken responsibility, transformed his life, and is ready to come home." MORE: Menendez brothers' long-awaited parole hearing to begin Thursday: What you need to know The board members' decision focused on one question: will Erik Menendez pose an unreasonable risk to society if released? Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman opposed the Menendez brothers' release, claiming they "have not demonstrated full insight into their crimes or shown that they have been fully rehabilitated, and therefore continue to pose a risk to society." A recently completed risk assessment said Erik and Lyle Menendez pose a moderate risk to the community if they're released. The assessment revealed the brothers possessed illegal cellphones in prison, among numerous other violations, though many are not recent. However, Erik Menendez had a phone as recently as January of this year, which Hochman stressed was during the resentencing effort when he should have been on his best behavior. The defense noted Erik Menendez had one write-up for violence 25 years ago and Lyle Menendez has had none. The brothers were initially sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for the 1989 murders. Lyle Menendez was 21 and Erik Menendez was 18 at the time, and the brothers said they committed the murders in self-defense after years of abuse by their father. This May, Judge Michael Jesic resentenced Erik and Lyle Menendez to 50 years to life in prison, making them immediately eligible for parole under youth offender parole laws. Jesic noted he was moved by the supportive letters from prison guards and was amazed by the work the brothers had accomplished to better the lives of their fellow inmates. The brothers, who watched the resentencing hearing from prison, gave their own statements to the judge, admitting their guilt. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Got the scoop: Bear takes over California ice cream shop
A curious bear on the hunt for something sweet found itself behind the counter of a California ice cream shop over the weekend. The big animal appeared to be making itself right at home when sheriff's deputies turned up to investigate in the resort city of South Lake Tahoe early Sunday. Officers shooed the ursine server out of the shop, but not before snapping a few pictures of their encounter. "With some encouragement, the bear ultimately left, but only after showing interest in the strawberry ice cream," said a post on the Facebook page of El Dorado County Sheriff's Office. "Thankfully, Fuzzy the bear caused barely any property damage and there was barely any cleanup." Bears are common in California and frequently go looking for food in human settlements, including entering homes or vehicles. Attacks on people are rare, but the animals can sometimes cause damage, especially when they cannot find a way out. hg
