UFC Commentator Joe Rogan Targeted in Bizarre Threats from "Liver King" that Lead to Influencer's Arrest
UFC Commentator Joe Rogan Targeted in Bizarre Threats from "Liver King" that Lead to Influencer's Arrest originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
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
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Prayers Are Pouring In For Kai Trump
Prayers Are Pouring In For Kai Trump originally appeared on The Spun. Prayers are pouring in for Kai Trump following an extremely scary situation. Earlier in June, a man was arrested after jumping over the walls at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. The luxury resort club, which serves as a compound for President of the United States, is owned by Trump. It is considered his primary home. The man who jumped the walls at Mar-a-Lago told authorities that he wanted to 'spread the gospel' to Trump and wed his 18-year-old granddaughter, Kai. Anthony Thomas Reyes, 22, was busted just after midnight earlier in June. It was the second time that he had been caught trying to climb over the walls. It's unclear if Kai Trump was inside of the walls at the time of the incident, but it's still a terribly frightening situation. Kai Trump, only 18, has become a very public figure. She has blown up on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, with millions of followers. Kai Trump has become an influencer, posting vlogs about her life and interacting with other creators. Prayers are pouring in for her as she deals with this scary situation. It's incredibly frightening to have what appears to be a stalker situation. "Horrible," one fan wrote. "Praying for her," one fan added. Kai Trump, a high school golfer, announced her commitment to the University of Miami last year. "I am beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to the University of Miami. I would like to thank my mom, Vanessa, and my dad, Don, for always supporting me through my journey. I would also like to thank my great team for getting me to this point. I would like to thank my Grandpa for giving me access to great courses and tremendous support. I would also like to thank my Mormor for always believing in me," she announced. "I would also like to thank my entire family for always encouraging and pushing me to be the best person I can possibly be. I would like to thank my friends for always cheering me on. Last but not least I would love to thank Coach Janice and Coach Jim for giving me this opportunity. I am supper excited to be a cane and represent the University of Miami. Gooo Canes!" The University of Miami's student newspaper published an op-ed in support of Kai Trump earlier this week. "The UM community must do its part to let Kai Trump be a student, allowing her to attend class and experience a normal college life. The disturbing incident reflects an unfortunate trend in which the families of presidents become targets of public scrutiny, stalking or worse," the student newspaper reporter wrote. "It's important to remember that we are all human. People like Kai, and other political relatives deserve the same respect, privacy and security as everyone else. "This latest stalking incident is a stark reminder that the university must also be as cooperative as possible with Trump's security team in order to ensure her safety on campus. "Students should welcome her to the 'Canes community with open arms, but should also respect her privacy. Doing things like letting her sit with you at lunch or walking with her to class can make her feel right at home." No matter how you feel about her grandfather, it's important to let Kai Trump be a college student - and a safe one, at that. Prayers Are Pouring In For Kai Trump first appeared on The Spun on Jun 30, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
CSPD: Speed a factor in fatal motorcycle vs. vehicle crash
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) reported that a motorcycle and a vehicle crashed in the 2400 block of Bijou Street, at the intersection of Platte Place, killing one person on Friday, June 20. According to CSPD, when emergency personnel arrived at the location near North Union Boulevard, around 1 p.m. on Friday, they found that the motorcycle rider, who had been wearing a helmet at the time, had died at the scene. The driver of the car was taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The initial investigation by the Major Crash Team indicated that the black motorcycle had been riding westbound on Bijou Street when it hit a white Nissan sedan that was exiting southbound off Platte Place. Witness accounts indicated that the motorcycle had been going at high speeds. The investigation is ongoing, according to CSPD. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
Defund movement faces 'absolute rejection' as murders drop and police budgets climb: law enforcement group
Some major cities have spent recent years increasing support for their police and saw a drop in homicides, something one law enforcement group says indicates an "absolute rejection" of efforts to defund such as Philadelphia, Denver, Minneapolis and New York City have increased their police budgets and have seen lower homicide rates in the first quarter of 2025, compared with Major Cities Chiefs Association, which compiled data from Jan. 1–March 31 in 2025 and 2024, showed that several cities with increased funding for police also experienced a drop in saw a 28% decrease in homicides year to date, while Minneapolis saw a 54% decrease, and Denver experienced a decrease of almost 59%.CHICAGO ALDERMAN SLAMS THE MURDER CAPITAL'S 'DISREGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE'According to the New York City Police Department, there has been a 28% decrease in murders year to of these cities have something in common: Local lawmakers voted to increase police budgets in 2024, despite pressure from activists who wanted to defund the officials in Minneapolis voted to increase their police budget by 6% in 2024, according to MPR News. New York City also increased funding to its police department in Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who took over the department in November 2024, said in a January op-ed for the New York Post that her focus on recidivism is helping make the city CRIME DROPS IN TOP 10 LARGEST US CITY AS POLICE USE GRIDS TO TARGET WORST OFFENDERS"Make no mistake: These crime reductions were achieved thanks to the hard work and grit of New York's Finest – but we know that many New Yorkers don't feel safe," Tisch said. "Their perception of public safety has become their reality, and we know why: surging recidivism. . . . The deck has been completely stacked against our cops by a shocking lack of accountability for crime."National Police Association spokesperson Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith told Fox News Digital that the drop in murders shows that Americans are rejecting the "defund the police" movement."I really do believe that what we are seeing in 2025 is an absolute rejection of the 'defund the police movement,' the 're-imagining police movement.' The law enforcement profession always has room for reform. There is always room for change, but this whole cloth 'let's eliminate the police by defunding them' didn't work. People died because of it, and now the American public is wholeheartedly rejecting it," Smith said. "And the American law enforcement officer sees that."Smith said it shouldn't be a shock that "more police work equals less crime.""Obviously, this is something that we have been talking about for the last five years. And we have, you know, we have been trying to explain to the American public that you do need law enforcement, and when you need law enforcement, law enforcement needs resources. And finally, I think the public, the politicians, the media are catching up with that idea," she said.
