26-Feb-21
JRE MMA Show #102 with Dustin Poirier
This podcast features UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier discussing his career, training, and personal life with Joe Rogan. The episode dives deep into the technicalities of mixed martial arts, exploring specific techniques and strategies, especially the impact of the calf kick. Poirier also offers insights into the mental fortitude required to succeed in this demanding sport, emphasizing the importance of remaining a student and managing the pressures of fame and success.
The episode also touches upon the social media landscape in MMA, highlighting the potential pitfalls of online negativity and the importance of staying grounded. The conversation explores the challenges of weight cutting and the potential for new weight classes in MMA. Lastly, Poirier reveals his thoughts on the future, discussing potential retirement plans and post-fighting ambitions.
Major Topics
- Dustin Poirier’s Rise to the Top:
- Poirier reflects on his journey, highlighting his battles against top contenders and the sacrifices he’s made to reach the peak of the sport.
- He emphasizes the importance of hard work, dedication, and continual improvement in achieving success.
- Poirier discusses the mental resilience and self-belief required to perform at the highest level.
- He credits his experience and battles at the brink for shaping his composure and trust in himself.
- The Impact of the Calf Kick in MMA:
- Poirier analyzes his strategy in the second Conor McGregor fight, detailing the impact of the calf kick in debilitating McGregor’s leg.
- He attributes his success to the precise targeting of the calf and the lack of significant commitment required to execute the technique.
- Poirier discusses the evolution of the calf kick in MMA, crediting Benson Henderson as an early pioneer of the technique.
- The discussion delves into the physiological effects of the calf kick, highlighting its debilitating nature and the lack of muscle protection in the area.
- Weight Cutting in MMA:
- Poirier shares his experiences with extreme weight cuts, describing the challenges and sacrifices involved in cutting from 190 pounds to 145 pounds.
- He discusses the detrimental effects of weight cutting on the body, referencing potential kidney problems and the psychological toll it takes on fighters.
- Poirier explains his water loading and dehydration strategy for weight cuts, highlighting the complexity and potential risks involved.
- The discussion explores the potential benefits of eliminating weight cutting, examining the arguments for and against this approach and how it could impact the sport.
- The Mental Aspect of MMA:
- Poirier emphasizes the importance of mental strength in MMA, highlighting the psychological challenges of training camp, weight cutting, and media commitments.
- He discusses the pressures of social media and the importance of filtering out negativity and staying grounded.
- Poirier shares his thoughts on the art of trash talking, explaining its role in the mental game and its potential impact on fighters.
- He highlights the mental resilience required to deal with pressure, setbacks, and the scrutiny of the public eye.
- The Importance of Training and Preparation:
- Poirier discusses his training methods and the importance of a structured camp.
- He explains the role of his coaches in formulating game plans, selecting sparring partners, and setting up specific timelines for skill development.
- Poirier details his approach to conditioning, emphasizing the use of intense sparring and wrestling rounds as primary cardio sessions.
- He highlights the significance of strength training and accessory exercises for injury prevention and performance enhancement.
- The Social Media Landscape in MMA:
- Poirier discusses the challenges of navigating the social media world in MMA, emphasizing the importance of filtering out negativity and focusing on positive interactions.
- He shares his approach to social media, focusing on self-deprecation and engaging with fans in a positive way.
- Poirier highlights the potential for social media to be used for personal attacks and the difficulty of managing the emotional impact of negative comments.
- He emphasizes the importance of recognizing that many negative comments stem from insecurity and a lack of fulfillment in the commenter’s own life.
- The Future of MMA:
- Poirier discusses his thoughts on the lightweight division, highlighting the influx of new talent and the uncertainty surrounding Khabib Nurmagomedov’s future.
- He shares his plans for the future, including his desire to potentially move up to the welterweight division and the possibility of retirement around the age of 35.
- Poirier discusses his post-fighting aspirations, including his work with his charitable foundation, “The Good Fight,” and his potential TV show, “Food Fight.”
- He touches upon his personal life, discussing his family and his love for cooking and exploring new restaurants.
- The Importance of Maintaining Discipline:
- Poirier reflects on the challenges of staying motivated and disciplined once you achieve success, highlighting the importance of setting new goals and pushing boundaries.
- He draws comparisons with Floyd Mayweather’s career, analyzing how Mayweather remained disciplined and focused despite his extravagant lifestyle.
- Poirier discusses the potential pitfalls of losing discipline, referencing the dangers of self-destruction and the importance of staying engaged with a purpose.
- He highlights the importance of finding a new challenge or goal to maintain motivation and a sense of fulfillment.
- The Importance of Remaining a Student:
- Poirier emphasizes the importance of continuously learning and growing in MMA, regardless of your level of success.
- He discusses his approach to studying the sport, drawing inspiration from fighters like Pernell Whitaker and analyzing his own performances to identify areas for improvement.
- Poirier shares his insights on the importance of being a student in all aspects of MMA, including training, technique, and strategy.
- He credits his dedication to being a student for his continued improvement and longevity in the sport.
- The Nature of Injuries in MMA:
- Poirier reveals his experience with a severe hip injury, detailing the surgical procedure he underwent to repair the damage and the long recovery process.
- He discusses the challenges of dealing with chronic injuries and the sacrifices required to overcome them.
- Poirier shares his perspective on the use of stem cells and other advanced medical treatments for injuries, exploring the limitations and potential of these therapies.
- He highlights the constant threat of injuries in MMA and the need for fighters to prioritize their long-term health and well-being.
- The Heavyweight Division:
- Poirier discusses the heavyweight division, highlighting the raw power and athleticism of fighters like Derek Lewis and Francis Ngannou.
- He analyzes the impact of power in the heavyweight division, emphasizing how it can be a great equalizer and how it shapes the style and strategy of fights.
- Poirier shares his thoughts on the potential rematch between Derek Lewis and Francis Ngannou, anticipating a thrilling and dangerous encounter.
- He reflects on the lineage of heavyweight champions, highlighting the accomplishments of fighters like Stipe Miocic and the potential for new contenders to emerge.
- The Role of Coaches in MMA:
- Poirier praises the contributions of coaches like Mike Brown and Phil DeRoo, highlighting their expertise in training, strategy, and injury prevention.
- He emphasizes the importance of finding coaches who understand your strengths, weaknesses, and limitations, allowing for personalized training and effective game plans.
- Poirier discusses the different approaches to coaching, comparing Mike Brown’s structured camp plans to Phil DeRoo’s focus on strength, movement, and injury prevention.
- He credits the guidance of his coaches for his success and emphasizes the integral role of mentorship in developing a fighter’s skills and mindset.
- The Importance of Trust:
- Poirier highlights the importance of trust in MMA, emphasizing the need to surround yourself with people you can rely on, both in training and in life.
- He discusses his approach to selecting training partners, preferring to work with fighters he knows and trusts, especially when it comes to high-intensity MMA drills.
- Poirier stresses the importance of establishing a strong support system, both for personal and professional growth.
- He acknowledges the risks of working with unknown or untrustworthy individuals and emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships based on mutual respect and understanding.
5 Memorable Quotes:
- “I think the important thing with that is remaining a student like I take my losses, I go back to the gym and try to drown myself in work and remain a student kind of blocks out all the thoughts and all the, the critics, I just get back to work train hard. And it just drowns all that, all that negativity out. And I think you have to remain a student for longevity in the sport. Because it’s one thing to make it there. It’s a whole other thing to stay there. And these guys who get to that pinnacle and stay there for a while, then they lose. Are they still that student that they were that got them to that that height?” – Poirier emphasizes the continuous learning process required for long-term success in MMA.
- “It’s a game of inches. It was so tight. I jumped out of my fucking seat because I wasn’t there for that fight, right? Yeah, that was on Fight Island. I jumped up and I gripped the corners of the chair.” – Poirier describes the intense moment of his guillotine attempt on McGregor, highlighting how close he came to securing a submission.
- “I always said 35. I have no, that’s a number I’ve been having for a while. I doubt 35. Because that seems like a good number. Yeah. And I think after 35 you’re not gonna in fighting you’re not gonna get any any more durable or any healthier or any more athletic 35 is you know…” – Poirier shares his thoughts on retirement, suggesting a potential end to his fighting career around the age of 35.
- “Those people who are saying, oh, that shit really don’t like themselves, man. You know, that’s what I’ve started to realize as I got older and I just don’t want to play in any part of that for sure one one of the things that I’ve always said is greatness like if someone is truly chasing greatness in their life they don’t have time to leave comments on your page and be mean.” – Poirier offers a mature perspective on online negativity, highlighting how those who engage in it are often dealing with personal insecurities.
- “I just feel like I always that’s when I do dumb stuff like not huge things or but I just feel like that’s where I’m start to get like depressed or I don’t even know what to call it But it’s not a good place for me to be and I have to have something I’m working on and when I’m working on something That’s where I’m most comfortable.” – Poirier reveals his need for constant challenges and goals to maintain a sense of purpose and well-being.