CHAPTERS
Post-fight retirement reality: staying busy, identity shifts, and new goals
Joe and Chad kick off with life after leaving the UFC, where Mendes says he’s busier than ever. They discuss how fighters often struggle with identity and purpose once competition stops, and why Mendes poured his energy into building businesses to avoid a post-career slump.
Longevity in combat sports: Couture, Henderson, and the “freak” outliers
The conversation pivots to athletes who compete deep into their 40s and beyond. Joe and Chad highlight Randy Couture’s late start and long run, then marvel at Dan Henderson’s durability, power, and physical density.
Judging, fighter pay, and the risk of losing money on bad calls
Joe brings up ongoing frustration with judging and fighter compensation. They explore how a single questionable decision can cost a fighter half their purse and discuss the idea of insurance or financial protection for injuries and canceled fights.
Bonuses, star power, and why entertainment drives UFC earnings
Using Cheyanne Buys’ emotional bonus reaction as a jumping-off point, Joe explains the business logic behind payouts. Mendes agrees that drawing attention and selling tickets often matters more than pure skill, citing Demetrious Johnson as an example of an all-time great who didn’t ‘move the needle.’
Weight cutting harms performance: “sanctioned cheating” and class reform
They dig into extreme weight cuts, how common they are, and why they’re dangerous. Mendes shares his own wrestling and MMA weight-cut history, while Joe argues for more weight classes and a system that encourages athletes to compete closer to their natural weight.
TJ Dillashaw vs. Sandhagen: injury details, heel hooks, and toughness debates
From bantamweight excitement, they break down Dillashaw’s gritty win over Sandhagen and the knee damage sustained during the fight. Joe and Chad speculate about the heel hook moment, discuss TJ’s history (including the EPO scandal), and analyze what the injury means for his future.
Mendes’ big announcement: returning to combat—bare-knuckle boxing plans
Mendes reveals he’s signed a contract to fight again, but not in MMA—he’s returning via boxing with bare-knuckle in the mix. He explains why the timing matters, why he wants to avoid brutal weight cuts, and what the format (two-minute rounds) means for his style.
Bare knuckle growth, cross-promotion, and evolving fight formats (including ‘field’ fights)
Joe and Chad discuss why bare-knuckle promotions recruit known UFC names and how the sport is growing. They compare glove logic in MMA, consider bare-knuckle MMA and Masvidal’s promotion, and riff on how removing cages could change takedowns and fight dynamics.
Old-school MMA footage: early UFC rules, glove optionality, and ‘pit fighting’ chaos
They watch and react to early UFC-era clips featuring Vitor Belfort and the looser ruleset. Joe recounts his first events, glove and shoe variability, and how wild early rule allowances were (like grabbing shorts and groin strikes).
Training culture and sparring: brain damage concerns and elite coaching obsession
The discussion turns to sparring intensity, how Alpha Male’s early camps were essentially gym wars, and why many fighters now reduce hard sparring. They praise coaches like Duane Ludwig and John Danaher for obsessive craft, individualized systems, and technique-driven development.
Carnivore diet experiment: psoriasis improvements, carbs for performance, elimination testing
Mendes explains how a carnivore-style diet dramatically improved lifelong psoriasis in days, leading him to experiment with reintroducing foods. Joe shares his own experience feeling better on mostly meat while sometimes needing carbs for intense training, and they discuss elimination diets and individual variability.
Hunting stories and wildlife management: predators, tags, ethics, and guiding newcomers
The back half becomes a wide-ranging hunting and conservation conversation—bison, moose, bears, mountain lions, wolves, and coyotes—plus the politics of predator management. Mendes details guiding through Fins & Featherz, teaching first-timers, and why hunting is both ethical meat sourcing and necessary population control.
Outdoor businesses and wrap-up: Peak Refuel meals, American Almond Beef, and where to follow
To close, Mendes breaks down his partnerships and products: Peak Refuel freeze-dried meals, Fins & Featherz hunts, and American Almond Beef’s feed approach. They end with plugs, dates, and viewing details for his upcoming bare-knuckle bout.
