Joe Rogan Slams Priscila Cachoeira for UFC 269 Eye Gouge

[Kayce]

UFC 269 Controversy: Joe Rogan Demands Fighter Be Cut for Eye Gouging​

During UFC 269, Joe Rogan didn’t hold back after witnessing a blatant and dangerous foul from Priscila Cachoeira. As Gillian Robertson secured a rear-naked choke in the dying seconds of the first round, Cachoeira was seen driving her thumb into Robertson’s eye socket—repeatedly and deliberately. Rogan, visibly disturbed, labeled the act “worse than steroids” and called for Cachoeira’s immediate release from the UFC.

“You will blind someone. That is blatant cheating,” Rogan raged on his podcast. “Worse than steroids. She should be cut.”

The incident, caught clearly on broadcast, went viral, fueling widespread condemnation from fans, media, and fellow fighters. Robertson, fortunately, avoided lasting injury—but the message from Rogan was clear: dirty tactics have no place in the Octagon.

Priscila Cachoeira’s History of Violations: A Troubling Pattern​

This wasn’t a one-off. Cachoeira also missed weight for the Robertson bout by three pounds, compounding the controversy. The eye gouge, however, pushed it over the edge, with many labeling it one of the dirtiest moves in modern UFC history.

Despite the uproar, Cachoeira issued an apology post-fight, attempting to downplay the severity of the foul. Still, fans and critics remained skeptical, with many believing disciplinary action should have followed.

Gillian Robertson: From Victim to Rising Star​

Gillian Robertson didn’t just survive the dirty tactic—she prevailed, submitting Cachoeira at the buzzer. Her professionalism in the face of rule-breaking only boosted her stock. Since UFC 269, she’s climbed the ranks, gaining popularity and pushing toward a potential title shot.

Robertson’s resilience turned a disgraceful moment into a platform for growth, earning her respect as a fighter and competitor.

Cachoeira’s Comeback at UFC Vegas 109: Redemption or Repeat?​

Fast forward to UFC Vegas 109—Priscila Cachoeira returns to the Octagon against Joselyne Edwards. The matchup marks her reentry into the UFC spotlight, following a controversial yet dominant knockout win over Josiane Nunes.

This return has stirred debate: Should fighters with a history of egregious fouls be granted high-profile fights? UFC leadership has remained silent, but fans haven’t forgotten the eye gouge scandal.

Image Rehabilitation Through Drug Rehab Center Launch​

Attempting to reshape her public image, Cachoeira used her post-fight interview after the Nunes victory to request a \$50,000 bonus—not for personal gain, but to fund a drug rehab center near her home. The UFC granted the request.

Once a drug addict herself, Cachoeira’s decision to invest in addiction recovery support was widely praised—even by some former critics. The facility now stands as a symbol of second chances, though skepticism about her conduct in the cage remains.

Eye Gouging in MMA: The Line Between Accident and Assault​

Blatant eye gouging is rare in modern MMA, largely due to strict rules, referee oversight, and sportsmanship. But when it happens—as in the Bisping-Hendo incident or this Robertson-Cachoeira fight—it reignites questions about appropriate penalties and ethical limits.

Unlike accidental fouls, intentional eye gouges can cause permanent damage. Fighters like Michael Bisping have lived with partial blindness due to similar incidents.

Joe Rogan’s comparison of eye gouging to steroids wasn’t hyperbole. While PEDs distort fairness and risk athlete health, eye gouging crosses a more visceral line—one that threatens a fighter’s ability to even compete again.

UFC’s Responsibility: Enforce Standards or Undermine Ethics?​

Cachoeira’s UFC return poses a fundamental question: What does the organization prioritize more—marketable fighters or ethical consistency?

While redemption arcs make for compelling narratives, they can’t come at the cost of fighter safety. Fans, fighters, and analysts will be watching closely at UFC Vegas 109—not just for the result, but for how Cachoeira conducts herself.

Final Word: Should the UFC Have Cut Cachoeira?​

Joe Rogan said what many were thinking: blatant cheating should be non-negotiable grounds for release. The UFC has not publicly sanctioned Cachoeira beyond a short-lived backlash. Whether that’s a sign of forgiveness or selective enforcement remains up for debate.