Key Takeaways
- Joe Rogan and guests discuss recent and upcoming UFC fights, including Robert Whittaker's impressive first-round knockout win over Marvin Vettori
- They debate the merits of various UFC rule changes and judging systems, with Rogan advocating for more judges and eliminating weight cutting
- The group analyzes different fighters' styles and potential matchups, including speculation about rising stars like Bo Nickal
- There is discussion of the Saudi royal family's involvement in boxing and MMA promotion
- The podcast touches on topics like running for fitness, extreme heat, and cultural experiences in Saudi Arabia and Lebanon
Introduction
In this episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Joe is joined by comedians Brendan Schaub and Brian Simpson to discuss recent UFC fights and news. The conversation covers a wide range of MMA topics, from analyzing specific fights and fighters to debating potential rule changes for the sport. The group also goes on tangents about topics like fitness, international travel, and cultural differences.
Topics Discussed
Recent UFC Fights (25:25)
The group discusses several recent UFC fights, with particular focus on Robert Whittaker's impressive first-round knockout victory over Marvin Vettori:
- They praise Whittaker's performance and striking ability
- There is debate about what this means for the middleweight division rankings
- They speculate on potential next opponents for Whittaker
Joe says of Whittaker: "Bobby knuckles. Go. Let's go. Robert Whitaker. F**k yeah, dude."
UFC Rule Change Proposals (2:11:41)
Joe Rogan outlines several rule changes he would implement if he was in charge of the UFC:
- Eliminate stand-ups when fighters are on the ground
- Start rounds in the same position they ended if a fighter was taken down
- Have 6 judges instead of 3 to reduce the impact of bad scorecards
- Eliminate weight cutting entirely
On weight cutting, Joe says: "Cut all this legalized cheating s**t. Kamaru Usman is not 170 pounds. He's never been 170 pounds for more than five minutes."
Analysis of Fighters and Potential Matchups (2:38:44)
The group discusses various UFC fighters and potential matchups, including:
- Praising the skills and potential of Bo Nickal
- Debating how Khamzat Chimaev would fare against top middleweights
- Analyzing the strengths of fighters like Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya
On Bo Nickal, Brendan Schaub says: "He's basically our LeBron James, but he's white."
Saudi Involvement in Combat Sports (2:44:43)
There is discussion of the Saudi royal family's increasing involvement in boxing and MMA promotion:
- They are putting on major fights with huge purses for fighters
- Dana White reportedly loves working with them and finds them very hospitable
- The group debates the pros and cons of their involvement in the sport
Running for Fitness (2:35:15)
Brendan Schaub talks about taking up running for fitness:
- He runs 3 miles a day and finds it mentally challenging
- The group debates the merits of running vs other forms of cardio
- They discuss how running can build mental toughness
Schaub says: "If you want to get mentally tough running and do it like people do all this s**t, just go outside and run, man. It's f**king tough, dude."
Extreme Heat and International Travel (2:46:16)
The conversation turns to topics of extreme heat and international travel:
- They discuss recent heat waves and temperature records
- Brian Simpson shares experiences of living in Saudi Arabia
- There is talk about the culture and hospitality in Middle Eastern countries
Simpson says of Saudi Arabia: "If you go there with the Arabs and you show that you like being there or you're just respectful of the culture, they'll take care of you beyond what you can imagine."
Conclusion
This wide-ranging conversation covered many aspects of MMA and the UFC, from technical analysis of fights and fighters to broader discussions about the structure and rules of the sport. The group's passion for MMA is evident, as is their knowledge of the fighters and matchups. Beyond MMA, the podcast touched on topics like fitness, travel, and cultural experiences, providing an engaging mix of fight talk and general conversation. The episode gives listeners insight into how MMA insiders view the sport while also entertaining with comedic tangents and personal anecdotes.
