JRE MMA Show #58 with Brendan Schaub

by

4-Mar-19

This podcast focuses on Joe Rogan and Brendan Schaub’s reactions to the UFC 235 fights. They discuss the performances of various fighters, offering commentary on their strategies, skills, and personalities. The conversation also delves into the world of video games, with Schaub revealing his addictive tendencies, and the role of CBD in improving fighter performance. Underlying themes explore the pressure and challenges faced by fighters, the evolving landscape of MMA, and the importance of mental fortitude in combat sports.

Major Topics Discussed

  1. Diego Sanchez’s Resurgence:

    • Sanchez’s victory over Mickey Gall, showcasing his resilience and ferocity.
    • Highlighting Sanchez’s long and successful career, spanning over 14 years in the UFC.
    • Discussing Sanchez’s embrace of CBD and its positive impact on his performance.
    • Examining the impact of Sanchez’s legacy on younger fighters who may underestimate his fighting prowess.

  2. Colby Covington’s “Angry” Fighting Style:

    • Analyzing Covington’s fighting style, specifically his tendency to fight with reckless aggression.
    • Exploring the benefits and drawbacks of this style, emphasizing its effectiveness but also its potential for vulnerability.
    • Discussing the importance of mental coaching and discipline for Covington, considering his recent string of losses.
    • Evaluating the potential for Covington to regain his championship status despite his recent setbacks.

  3. Kamaru Usman’s Dominance over Tyron Woodley:

    • Usman’s impressive victory over Woodley, showcasing his superior grappling, striking, and cardio.
    • The significance of Usman’s mentality and focus, which led to his dominant performance.
    • The impact of Usman’s victory on the Welterweight division, positioning him as a formidable champion.
    • Analyzing the possible reasons for Woodley’s decline, including age, a fractured foot, and potentially a lack of focus due to outside pursuits.

  4. The Welterweight Division’s Excitement:

    • The diverse and competitive nature of the Welterweight division, featuring fighters like Usman, Covington, Ben Askren, and Darren Till.
    • The potential for exciting matchups and title contenders emerging from this division.
    • The role of Robbie Lawler’s return and his renewed fighting style in adding to the division’s excitement.
    • The potential for a Till-Usman matchup, considered a highly anticipated fight for fans.

  5. The Controversial Ben Askren vs. Robbie Lawler Fight:

    • The controversial nature of the Askren-Lawler fight, specifically the finish and whether Lawler was truly unconscious.
    • The different perspectives on the fight, with Rogan and Schaub debating the validity of the chokehold and Lawler’s potential submission.
    • The importance of the fight’s context, considering Lawler’s comeback and Askren’s dominant grappling style.
    • The possibility of a rematch, considering both fighters’ reactions and the fight’s unresolved ending.

  6. The Light Heavyweight Division’s Up-and-Coming Fighters:

    • The emergence of new talent in the Light Heavyweight division, including Johnny Walker, Dominick Reyes, and Thiago Santos.
    • The excitement surrounding Walker’s unique fighting style and athleticism, despite his recent injury.
    • Reyes’s impressive win streak and potential to challenge for the title.
    • Santos’s aggressive fighting style and his potential to upset even the best fighters in the division.

  7. The Debate Surrounding Illegal Knees:

    • The controversial incident in the Anthony Smith vs. Jon Jones fight, where Jones landed an illegal knee.
    • The debate over whether Smith should have quit the fight after the knee, with Rogan and Schaub praising Smith’s toughness and competitive spirit.
    • The ethical considerations involved in quitting a fight after an illegal strike, and the potential for a competitor to exploit the situation.
    • The impact of the incident on the fighters’ careers, with Smith potentially gaining more respect for his resilience.

  8. Jon Jones’s Dominance:

    • Jones’s continued dominance in the Light Heavyweight division, highlighted by his victory over Smith.
    • The challenge of finding a fighter who can consistently challenge Jones’s skills and athleticism.
    • The potential for Santos to offer a significant challenge to Jones, considering his aggressive fighting style.
    • The possibility of a future Jones-DC fight at Heavyweight, hyped as a potentially epic clash.

  9. The Value of Athleticism and Experience:

    • The differences in athleticism and skill levels between professional athletes in different sports, particularly between the NFL/NBA and MMA.
    • The importance of athleticism and experience in MMA, with Rogan and Schaub acknowledging the exceptional athleticism of fighters like Usman and Jones.
    • The role of experience in determining success, illustrated by Sanchez’s long and successful career.
    • The impact of athleticism and experience in defining the future of MMA, with new talent emerging and veterans continuing to compete at a high level.

  10. The Importance of Mental Fortitude:

    • The importance of mental toughness in MMA, emphasized by Rogan and Schaub’s analysis of fighter performances.
    • The role of mental fortitude in handling pressure, overcoming setbacks, and executing a fight plan, particularly under the intense scrutiny of a large audience.
    • The influence of mental state on a fighter’s performance, as seen in Covington’s impulsive aggression and Woodley’s potential lack of focus.
    • The potential for mental coaching and strategies to improve a fighter’s performance and mental resilience.

  11. The “Wild West” Nature of MMA:

    • The lack of uniformity in refereeing decisions and the controversial nature of some fights.
    • The potential for inconsistency and disagreements over the application of rules and the interpretation of fight outcomes.
    • The role of promoters and their influence in shaping the MMA landscape, with potential for conflicts of interest.
    • The importance of transparency and accountability in MMA, with Rogan and Schaub expressing their opinions on specific fight decisions.

  12. The Impact of UFC’s Move to ESPN:

    • The potential for increased exposure and growth of MMA as a result of the UFC’s deal with ESPN.
    • The increased visibility of MMA on a major sports network, potentially reaching a wider audience.
    • The potential for greater financial opportunities for fighters with the UFC’s new broadcasting platform.
    • The implications of ESPN’s rivalry with Showtime and the potential for boxing to face a similar shift in broadcasting platforms.

  13. The Michael Jackson Documentary:

    • The controversial nature of the Leaving Neverland documentary, examining the allegations of sexual abuse against Michael Jackson.
    • The difficult and sensitive nature of the topic, with Rogan and Schaub expressing their opinions and concerns.
    • The impact of the documentary on Jackson’s legacy and the ongoing debate about his actions.
    • The importance of considering all sides of the story, acknowledging the lack of definitive evidence and the potential for false accusations.

Memorable Quotes

  1. “Diego Sanchez is a monster. I mean, you’re dealing with a guy who has 40 fights. Look at that bite mark. That is that is crazy.” – Rogan expressing his awe at Sanchez’s ferocity and experience.
  2. “Usman was pushing on the pedal for five fucking rounds never let off the gas. How about the way he looked in between rounds? Yeah, to me it was this mentality. Yep.” – Rogan highlighting Usman’s relentless energy and focus.
  3. “We hyped him up so much and we came in. And please do get over dad bod. I think Dan is just as terrible. Let’s figure this out.” – Schaub playfully critiquing Ben Askren’s physique and performance.
  4. “You know how much harder it is to take Woodley down and control him? And you only have five fucking minutes. You have five minutes to sink a choke in, five minutes to hold on to him and beat him up.” – Rogan highlighting the challenge of controlling a wrestler like Woodley.
  5. “He’s not alive. He’s not allowed to defend himself. So it’s weird. It’s also stories. And you know… People tell the truth in stories. Sometimes. And sometimes they don’t. And you don’t know.” – Rogan expressing his discomfort with the Michael Jackson documentary and its lack of definitive evidence.