JRE MMA Show #68 with Will Harris

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24-Jun-19







JRE MMA Show #68 with Will Harris – Topic Breakdown

This episode of the Joe Rogan Experience delves into the inspiring, yet unconventional journey of filmmaker Will Harris, the creator of the popular YouTube series, “Anatomy of a Fighter”. It offers a raw and unfiltered look at the highs and lows of pursuing a career in filmmaking, interwoven with Harris’s personal struggles and triumphs, creating a compelling narrative of resilience and self-discovery. Harris’s unique perspective as a filmmaker immersed in the world of MMA provides intriguing insights into the fighting community and its fascinating characters. Provocative topics, personal anecdotes, and underlying themes of perseverance, cultural immersion, and the evolution of the sport intertwine, creating an engaging and thought-provoking conversation.

Topics

  1. Anatomy of a Fighter: The Birth of a Series
    1. The origin story: Harris started “Anatomy of a Fighter” as a documentary, not anticipating its transformation into a popular series.
    2. Early inspiration: His initial exposure to MMA was at the Black Zillions gym, where he was drawn to the fighters’ dedication and stories.
    3. The pivotal moment: The viral footage of Conor McGregor throwing a dolly at a bus, featuring Harris’s camera work, propelled his series into the spotlight.
    4. Independent success: Harris built “Anatomy of a Fighter” independently, showcasing his skills and vision without relying on established networks.
  2. Will Harris’s Unconventional Path to Filmmaking
    1. Basketball ambitions: Harris initially focused on basketball, achieving high school accolades and a Division 2 scholarship.
    2. ACL injury and turning point: An ACL injury forced him to reconsider his athletic path, and he stumbled into filmmaking through his rehab process.
    3. Early filmmaking ventures: He began by filming parties and eventually progressed to basketball documentaries, showcasing his creative eye.
    4. From weddings to MMA: Harris’s journey led him through various filmmaking pursuits, ultimately finding his niche in the world of MMA.
  3. The “Anatomy of a Fighter” Approach to Storytelling
    1. Beyond fight week: Harris emphasizes showcasing the fighters’ lives beyond the hype of fight week, offering a deeper glimpse into their personalities and struggles.
    2. Character-driven narratives: He prioritizes storytelling over mere fight promotion, focusing on the human element and the journey of the fighters.
    3. A personal touch: Harris’s own experiences with struggle and resilience resonate with the fighters, making his approach relatable and authentic.
    4. A glimpse behind the scenes: He offers an intimate perspective, documenting training sessions, personal lives, and emotional moments, creating a raw and engaging experience.
  4. The Rise of “Anatomy of a Fighter”: Success and Challenges
    1. Building a fanbase: Harris’s series gained traction with MMA fans through his captivating storytelling and insightful glimpses into the fighters’ lives.
    2. Navigating the media landscape: He’s encountered skepticism and criticism, facing trolls and doubters along the way.
    3. Financial struggles: He’s funded his passion independently, facing financial challenges to cover travel, equipment, and time investment.
    4. Future aspirations: Harris envisions expanding his series to include a broader range of combat sports, including boxing and Bellator, and growing his audience.
  5. Cultural Immersion and Respect: Dagestan Chronicles
    1. Exploring Dagestan: Harris’s journey to Dagestan, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s home, provided a unique cultural experience, showcasing the region’s people and customs.
    2. Respect for Islam and culture: Harris sought to understand Dagestani culture and practices, including the significance of women covering themselves and the role of faith in their lives.
    3. Challenges of filming: He faced obstacles in filming women, respecting the local cultural norms and practices, and navigating unfamiliar territory.
    4. The Dagestan Chronicles: His footage captured Khabib Nurmagomedov in his natural environment, offering a rare and powerful insight into the undefeated champion’s background.
  6. The Khabib Nurmagomedov Phenomenon: Undefeated Champion and Cultural Icon
    1. Undefeated reign: Khabib’s undefeated streak in the UFC has cemented him as a champion and a cultural icon, particularly within the Muslim community.
    2. The Dagestan influence: His upbringing in Dagestan, with its emphasis on faith, discipline, and hard work, shaped his mindset and fighting style.
    3. Global impact: Khabib’s fame has extended beyond the fighting world, making him a global personality and a role model for many.
    4. Unstoppable force: Harris believes that Khabib’s mental toughness and unwavering faith make him an unstoppable force in the octagon, making him a difficult fighter to defeat.
  7. The Future of MMA: Evolution and Potential
    1. Emerging talent: The rise of fighters from the Dana White Contender Series and other promotional platforms is pushing the boundaries of the sport and creating new stars.
    2. Global expansion: MMA’s popularity is expanding globally, with organizations like ONE Championship attracting a large audience in Asia.
    3. Cross-promotional possibilities: The potential for cross-promotional fights between different organizations is a topic of ongoing debate, with some fans eager for a unified champion.
    4. Weight classes and regulations: The debate over weight cuts and regulations continues, with some fighters advocating for more consistent weight classes and stricter guidelines.
  8. The Controversial World of Bare Knuckle Boxing
    1. Brutal nature: Bare knuckle boxing is a dangerous sport, with a high risk of injury and the potential for severe facial cuts and lacerations.
    2. The appeal of brutality: Some fans are drawn to the raw intensity and violence of bare knuckle fights, while others express concern over the level of brutality.
    3. Health concerns: Fighters in bare knuckle events are more prone to hand injuries, with many suffering broken hands and other injuries.
    4. The future of the sport: The rise of bare knuckle boxing is a testament to the evolving landscape of combat sports, and it’s unclear if it will gain mainstream acceptance.
  9. The Importance of Storytelling: Giving Voice to Fighters
    1. Beyond statistics: Harris believes that capturing the stories of fighters, their struggles, and triumphs, provides a deeper understanding of the sport than just focusing on wins and losses.
    2. Relatable journeys: Many fans resonate with the fighters’ journeys, finding inspiration in their perseverance and dedication.
    3. Empowering voices: Harris’s platform allows fighters to share their stories and experiences, giving them a voice and creating a connection with fans.
    4. Beyond the octagon: Harris’s work offers a unique window into the lives of fighters, showcasing their personalities, ambitions, and challenges.
  10. Will Harris’s Perspective on the MMA Community
    1. Respect for the fighters: Harris holds a deep respect for the fighters he documents, recognizing their dedication, sacrifice, and mental toughness.
    2. Relationships with fighters: He’s built relationships with fighters, gaining their trust and access to their lives, allowing for intimate and authentic storytelling.
    3. A passion for the sport: Harris’s love for MMA is evident in his work, driving his commitment to showcasing the sport’s complexities and characters.
    4. A valuable platform: “Anatomy of a Fighter” has created a platform for fighters to share their stories, connect with fans, and build their brand.

Memorable Quotes:

  1. “I’ve been in locker rooms when they lose and I’m in there when they win and it’s the same for me. I feel bad for the other opponent. Like, people always ask me, ‘Do you get any type of excitement out of filming guys win?’ Not really, I’m just telling the story. You have to be like that.”
  2. “I love the MMA fans. I’m close with a lot of them. The last time you were here we were talking about the comments. You can’t read them. You can’t, it’ll drive you fucking crazy because the people that want to comment, they want to fuck with you.”
  3. “I’ve paid for fighters’ flights and hotels because they couldn’t get a hotel. These fighters know that, some of these fighters know that, to where I’m able to help them. I’m funding this all on my own, breaking myself. So, to me, I’m just thinking to myself, ‘You’re doing this for a specific reason, you’re passionate about it, you want to tell these guys’ lives.’”
  4. “I just really wanted to offer another glimpse into fighters’ lives, other than fight week.”
  5. “I’ve seen so many people say, ‘Hoove is a great coach, but he just can’t coach a champion.’ And just to see him grind and find his guy.”


 

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