JRE MMA Show #117 with Marlon “Chito” Vera

This podcast features Joe Rogan in conversation with Marlon “Chito” Vera, an Ecuadorian mixed martial artist competing in the bantamweight division of the UFC. They discuss a wide range of topics, from Vera’s unique upbringing and early fighting experiences to his training regimen and perspective on the sport. Some provocative and controversial themes arise, particularly around the ethics of weight cutting and the impact of social media.

Major Topics in the Podcast:

Here are 15-20 major topics covered in the podcast:

1. Marlon “Chito” Vera’s Tattoo Journey: Vera shares his experience getting extensive tattoos, including the pain involved, the artists he’s worked with, and the significance of his back piece by Mister Cartoon.
   • Painful tattoo experiences, especially on the back, neck, and inner thigh.
   • Notable tattoo artists like Mark Nava, Mister Cartoon, and Chantop.
   • The significance of Mister Cartoon’s tattoo, highlighting its position as the “number one” tattoo for Vera.
   • Details about Mister Cartoon’s studio and its unique atmosphere.
2. The Mental and Physical Demands of MMA: The conversation explores the grueling training schedule and mental toughness required to excel in MMA, emphasizing the constant need for improvement and preparation.
   • The importance of training consistently, even when not in a formal camp.
   • The “Imagram Mentality” of training hard every day.
   • The challenges of short-notice fights and the pressure of being ready at all times.
   • The evolving training philosophies of fighters and coaches, contrasting old-school approaches with more modern methods.
3. Marlon’s Early Fighting Experiences: Vera recounts his unconventional beginnings, starting with street fights as a child and his early fascination with martial arts.
   • Street fighting as a young boy in Ecuador, fueled by his brother and local kids.
   • The influence of Chuck Norris and the “cowboy” lifestyle of his upbringing.
   • The transition from street fights to formal training in karate and, later, jujitsu.
   • The initial lack of support from his family, who saw fighting as a dangerous and unproductive path.
4. The UFC’s Latin American Program: Vera discusses his selection for the UFC’s Latin American program and his training experience at Jackson Wink MMA Academy in Albuquerque.
   • The call from the UFC and the subsequent decision to leave Ecuador for Albuquerque.
   • Training at Jackson Wink alongside notable fighters like Jon Jones and Cowboy Cerrone.
   • The cultural differences and challenges faced as a new member of the program.
   • The tense relationship with his coach from Ecuador and his eventual decision to move on.
5. The Importance of Finding the Right Coach: The conversation touches upon the crucial role coaches play in a fighter’s development and the potential downsides of aligning with the wrong mentor.
   • The impact of Vera’s first MMA coach, who exerted too much control and financial influence.
   • The importance of having a coach who supports and guides without dominating.
   • The common pitfalls of early-career fighters getting caught up with the wrong coaches.
   • The need for fighters to recognize when it’s time to move on from a coach who’s no longer serving their best interests.
6. Weight Cutting in MMA: Vera expresses his strong opposition to the practice of weight cutting, highlighting its potential negative effects on fighters’ health and performance.
   • Vera’s personal experience with the grueling process of cutting weight, describing it as “awful” and “depleting.”
   • His belief that weight cutting is detrimental to fighters’ bodies, even when done “right.”
   • The UFC’s need to address weight cutting and consider implementing stricter regulations or even eliminating it altogether.
   • The impact of weight cutting on fighters’ mental and physical state on fight day.
7. The Role of Mental Toughness in MMA: The conversation emphasizes the psychological aspects of fighting, noting that mental fortitude is as crucial as physical strength and conditioning.
   • The importance of maintaining a positive mindset and avoiding negativity leading up to a fight.
   • The impact of past experiences, especially knockouts, on a fighter’s mental state.
   • The role of confidence and belief in one’s abilities in determining success.
   • The potential for mental preparation to be as vital as physical training.
8. Recovery and Regeneration: Vera highlights the importance of recovery and regeneration in maintaining optimal performance and preventing injuries.
   • Vera’s daily recovery routine, including massages, physical therapy, hyperbaric chamber sessions, and sauna use.
   • The benefits of these practices for enhancing endurance, reducing inflammation, and accelerating healing.
   • The importance of prioritizing sleep and avoiding overtraining.
   • The prevalence of these practices among elite athletes and their impact on longevity.
9. The Impact of Social Media: Vera shares his perspective on the positive and negative aspects of social media and how it impacts fighters’ lives.
   • His decision to limit his social media consumption and focus on his own growth and improvement.
   • The potential downsides of social media, such as negativity, online criticism, and distractions.
   • The importance of maintaining a healthy balance and staying true to oneself, regardless of external opinions.
   • The challenge of navigating social media in a way that promotes positive engagement and personal growth.
10. The Greatness of MMA Legends: The conversation touches on the history of MMA, acknowledging the achievements of legends like Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva, and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
    • Vera’s admiration for Georges St-Pierre’s dominance and inspiring work ethic.
    • His respect for Anderson Silva’s striking abilities and the lasting impact he made on the sport.
    • His recognition of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s undefeated record and dominant grappling skills.
    • The complexities of comparing fighters from different eras and the subjectivity involved in determining the “greatest of all time.”
11. The Importance of Staying Hungry and Focused: Vera emphasizes the need for fighters to remain motivated and driven throughout their careers, avoiding complacency and maintaining their edge.
    • The challenge of staying hungry and focused, especially after achieving success.
    • The importance of recognizing that the fight for greatness is never over.
    • The need to push oneself constantly and never settle for mediocrity.
    • The importance of surrounding oneself with supportive and motivating people.
12. The Ethics of Performance-Enhancing Drugs: The conversation delves into the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in MMA, discussing the ethics and consequences of cheating.
    • Vera’s strong stance against the use of PEDs, believing that true greatness comes from hard work and dedication.
    • The prevalence of PED use in MMA and the challenges of detecting and enforcing against it.
    • The potential long-term health risks associated with PED use.
    • The moral implications of taking shortcuts and compromising integrity in pursuit of victory.
13. Marlon’s Approach to Training: Vera outlines his unique approach to training, which combines traditional MMA techniques with elements of kickboxing, jujitsu, and wrestling.
    • His preference for working with specialists who focus on specific areas of the game, like boxing with Javier “El Loco” Mendez.
    • His commitment to consistent training and continuous improvement in all aspects of the sport.
    • His dedication to working with top-level specialists who push him to new heights.
    • His belief that surrounding himself with the best coaches and training partners is essential for reaching the top.
14. The Importance of Nutrition and Diet: Vera highlights the importance of nutrition in achieving optimal performance and recovery.
    • His focus on a clean diet, emphasizing lean protein, healthy fats, and fresh produce.
    • His approach to nutrition leading up to a fight, adjusting his meal frequency and size.
    • His strong belief in avoiding sugary foods and processed snacks.
    • His understanding of the role nutrition plays in optimizing energy levels, muscle recovery, and overall health.
15. The Future of MMA: Vera discusses his thoughts on the future of MMA, expressing his support for initiatives that prioritize fighter safety and health.
    • His belief that the UFC needs to address issues like weight cutting and improve fighter compensation.
    • His hopes for increased transparency and fairness in the sport.
    • His vision for a more sustainable and ethical future for MMA fighters.
    • His desire to see the sport continue to evolve and grow in a positive direction.
16. The Impact of Mushrooms: Vera openly discusses his use of mushrooms, both for recreational purposes and microdosing, exploring the potential benefits and risks.
    • His personal experience with mushrooms, both in high doses and microdoses, describing the effects and insights gained.
    • His belief in the potential benefits of microdosing for enhancing creativity, focus, and overall well-being.
    • His perspective on the cultural stigma surrounding mushrooms and the importance of using them responsibly.
    • His interest in the “stoned ape theory” and its implications for human evolution.
17. The Impact of Gambling: Vera discusses his experience with gambling, highlighting the potential pitfalls and the need for responsible engagement.
    • His personal experience with gambling on fights and his decision to stop due to ethical concerns.
    • His perspective on the prevalence of gambling in MMA and the potential for bias it creates.
    • His belief in the importance of responsible gambling and avoiding excessive risk.
    • His understanding of the addictive nature of gambling and the need for self-control.
18. The Importance of Finding Your Passion: Vera highlights the importance of pursuing your passions and finding activities that bring joy and fulfillment.
    • His love for cooking, surfing, and fighting, and how they fuel his drive and provide balance in his life.
    • His belief that pursuing your passions can lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful existence.
    • His encouragement to others to find activities that bring them happiness and purpose.
    • His recognition that the pursuit of passion can be a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.
19. The Importance of Surrounding Yourself with Positive People: Vera emphasizes the importance of aligning oneself with positive and supportive individuals who foster growth and motivation.
    • His decision to limit his circle to people who share his ambition and drive.
    • His belief that negativity and a lack of ambition can be contagious.
    • His commitment to surrounding himself with individuals who inspire and challenge him to be better.
    • His understanding that the people we choose to surround ourselves with can have a profound impact on our lives.
20. The Role of Perseverance and Determination: The conversation highlights the importance of perseverance and determination in overcoming obstacles and achieving long-term goals.
    • Vera’s journey from street fights to the UFC, demonstrating the importance of unwavering commitment.
    • His ability to overcome challenges, including setbacks and injuries, through hard work and dedication.
    • His belief that success is not guaranteed but rather earned through consistent effort and a strong mindset.
    • His encouragement to others to never give up on their dreams, even in the face of adversity.
21. The Importance of Integrity and Honesty: Vera’s perspective on the importance of integrity and honesty in the sport of MMA is emphasized.
    • His strong stance against cheating and the use of PEDs, emphasizing the importance of earning victory through hard work.
    • His belief that true greatness comes from integrity, discipline, and ethical conduct.
    • His desire to see the sport evolve in a way that prioritizes fairness and sportsmanship.
    • His recognition that integrity is a foundational element of true success and fulfillment.

5 Memorable Quotes:

• “If you’re not drinking, if you’re not fucking around, you can pull it off.” – Vera’s mantra about dedication and discipline, emphasizing the importance of a clean lifestyle for optimal performance.
• “The moment you doubt yourself and you take a step backwards, you’re fucked.” – A powerful statement about the crucial role of mental fortitude in fighting and the potential for self-doubt to undermine even the most skilled fighters.
• “My goal is to be a better husband, a better father, a better fighter. That should be all of our intent.” – Vera’s perspective on personal growth and the continuous pursuit of improvement in all aspects of life.
• “Everything in moderation is gonna fuck you up anyway.” – Vera’s humorous but insightful observation about the potential risks of excessive reliance on supplements and alternative medicines.
• “I prefer to lose a 100 fights than win one by cheating.” – Vera’s strong stance against PED use and his unwavering belief in the importance of earning victory through honest effort.