21-Jan-24
Fight Companion – January 20, 2024 Topics
This Joe Rogan podcast featuring Eddie Bravo, Joey Diaz, and Brendan Schaub dives into the world of UFC and MMA, analyzing fights and discussing various topics. Provocative subjects include controversial rules, potential comebacks, and the importance of mental toughness. Underlying themes explore the business of fighting, the physical and mental toll of combat sports, and the captivating nature of these events.
UFC Fight Card Breakdown
The podcast delves into the UFC fight card, providing insights into the fighters, their styles, and the potential outcomes. They discuss the main event between Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis, highlighting Strickland’s aggressive fighting style and du Plessis’s rising star status. They also touch upon the co-main event featuring Arnold Allen and Movsar Evloev, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses. The podcast provides a detailed examination of each fight, predicting potential strategies and outcomes.
Mental Toughness and the Fighter’s Mindset
Joe Rogan, Eddie Bravo, Joey Diaz, and Brendan Schaub highlight the importance of mental toughness in fighting. They discuss how fighters navigate the physical and mental challenges of training and competition. They delve into the impact of traumatic childhoods on fighters like Sean Strickland and Joe Pfeiffer, emphasizing how these experiences shape their resilience and aggression in the ring. They also explore the unique mindset of fighters who have served in the military, such as Benoit St. Denis, discussing how their experiences in war translate into their approach to combat sports.
The Business of Fighting and Fighter Pay
The podcast delves into the business side of UFC, focusing on fighter pay and the controversies surrounding it. They discuss the UFC’s monopoly on the sport, the Reebok sponsorship deal, and the class-action lawsuit filed against the organization. They discuss the arguments both for and against the UFC’s business practices, examining the impact on fighters’ earnings and the fairness of the system.
Controversial Rules and Referee Decisions
The podcast highlights a controversial referee decision during the Arnold Allen vs. Movsar Evloev fight. They discuss the rules surrounding knee strikes from the clinch, focusing on the proper application of the rules and the potential for gaming the system. The discussion highlights the subjective nature of refereeing and the potential for controversial outcomes. They also discuss the role of replays in referee decisions, advocating for increased transparency and clarity in these situations.
Potential Comebacks and Legends of MMA
The podcast discusses the potential for comebacks by former champions such as Khabib Nurmagomedov and George St. Pierre. They also analyze the careers of legends like Frankie Edgar and Chuck Liddell, celebrating their accomplishments and speculating on their legacies in the sport. They discuss the challenges of returning to the sport after an extended break, and the impact of injuries and aging on fighters’ performance.
The Impact of Steroids and Performance Enhancing Drugs
The podcast discusses the use of steroids and performance enhancing drugs in MMA. They discuss the history of TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy) in the sport, and the impact of its banning. They also explore the use of peptides, analyzing the potential benefits and risks for fighters. The discussion raises questions about the ethical implications of performance enhancing drugs and the impact on the integrity of the sport.
The Allure and Danger of Combat Sports
The podcast explores the captivating nature of combat sports, discussing the thrill of the fight and the intense emotions it evokes. They also acknowledge the physical and mental toll that these events can take on fighters, examining the long-term effects of injuries and concussions. They acknowledge the potential dangers of the sport while celebrating the dedication, skill, and courage of the athletes.
Miscellaneous Topics
The podcast also touches upon a variety of other interesting and entertaining topics, including:
- The rise of social media and its impact on MMA.
- The evolution of MMA from its early days to its present-day popularity.
- The role of conspiracy theories in popular culture.
- The use of magnets and other alternative therapies in treating injuries.
- The experience of being a fan of combat sports.
- The power of a good story and the art of storytelling.
- The importance of laughter and humor in life.
Memorable Quotes
- “You gotta think of bang me a little bit before I ain’t even understand. Don’t just look at it. Ask me. I’m ready to think of bang. Make me come off the fucking stage and go, Joe. I’m ready. I’m moving here.” – Joey Diaz, expressing his comedic style and desire to move to California.
- “The crazy thing is that you have to be canceled. They got all their shit cocked and plugged. It was only available on DirecTV. I got DirecTV just instead of cable, just so I get the UFC. Do you remember how it went down? John McCain was involved. Yes. He’s already got his heart fighting. Bloodwiser and boxing.” – Joe Rogan, discussing the early days of UFC and the political obstacles it faced.
- “You’re trying to get so good so quick so with no fluff no bullshit and execute when you can against train killers. The minds it’s a mindset is it’s not everything, but God damn it’s a lot.” – Joe Rogan, highlighting the importance of mental toughness and killer instinct in combat sports.
- “It’s the best example the best example the best example what I saw It was just you know is the best chin and MMA nobody fucking talks about Francis and Ghana. Oh, yeah, it’s an iron drum must have forgot iron. That’s shit.” – Eddie Bravo, praising Francis Ngannou’s incredible chin and resilience in the octagon.
- “The thing is in most cases you can settle right in by care. Here’s a bill and get the fuck out of our face. But these fighters trying to change the game. Mm-hmm. So you they can’t settle with them because they want to make a difference in the in the sport.” – Joe Rogan, discussing the UFC lawsuit and the fighters’ desire for change in the industry.