Brian Johnson, widely known online as “The Liver King,” is now facing legal trouble after flying to Austin, Texas, in an alleged attempt to confront and fight UFC commentator Joe Rogan. What started as a string of bizarre videos turned into a criminal case when Johnson was arrested for making terroristic threats.
On Tuesday, June 24, Johnson posted a series of unsettling rants on Instagram, calling out Rogan and challenging him to a fight. The posts didn’t stay online; they turned into real-world consequences.
“Joe Rogan, we don’t have to make videos to pretend anymore,” Johnson said in one of the videos. “All of this is happening, we’re coming to you. I’ve challenged you man-to-man to a fight. Honorable. We don’t have to pretend or make any videos. The world is watching, they’ll make the videos for us. You don’t have to hold the camera. You can hold the hand of somebody that you love because what happens next to you, you’re going to need to remember that feeling.”
Austin Police confirmed Johnson’s arrest after he was located at the Four Seasons Hotel on San Jacinto Boulevard. Officers took him into custody without incident around 6 p.m. He was transported to Travis County Jail and charged with a Class B misdemeanor for terroristic threats.
“Detectives reviewed the posts and observed that Johnson was traveling to Austin while continuing to make threatening statements,” said APD in an official statement. “Detectives contacted Mr. Rogan, who stated he had never had any interaction with Johnson and considered the posts to be threatening. Based on this information, detectives obtained an arrest warrant.”
Johnson didn’t stop posting. Even after his arrest, he uploaded footage from the back of a police car. In another video, he downplayed his lack of experience while doubling down on his challenge.
“Man to man, I’m picking a fight with you,” he said. “I have no training in jiu-jitsu, you’re a black belt. You should dismantle me. But I’m picking a fight with you. Your rules. I’ll come to you, whenever you’re ready.”
This bizarre confrontation didn’t come out of nowhere. Brian Johnson “The Liver King” rose to internet fame pushing his so-called “ancestral lifestyle,” which included eating raw meat, rejecting modern conveniences, and preaching about nine core tenets. He built a brand on claiming he was all-natural—until 2022, when leaked emails revealed he was spending over $11,000 per month on steroids and performance-enhancing drugs. After denying everything for years, Johnson finally came clean, admitting he had been lying all along.
Joe Rogan, one of his most vocal critics, called out Johnson’s deception publicly. That criticism, apparently, still stings. Johnson’s new obsession with Rogan seems to stem from that very public takedown.
According to reports, Johnson now faces up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine. As of Wednesday, he was released on a $20,000 bond and issued a protective order to stay at least 200 yards away from Rogan, his family, his home, and his places of business. He’s also prohibited from owning firearms and must undergo a mental health evaluation within seven days of release.
Rogan has yet to comment, though he’s currently preparing to call fights for the stacked UFC 317 card in Las Vegas. Whether or not he addresses Johnson’s antics on his podcast remains to be seen, but it’s safe to say Brian Johnson “The Liver King” picked the wrong fight.
