The Joe Rogan ExperienceJRE MMA Show #12 with Ben Askren
At a glance
WHAT IT’S REALLY ABOUT
Ben Askren Reveals UFC Snub, Wrestling’s Power, And Fighter Mindset
- Ben Askren explains in detail why, despite being an undefeated Bellator champion, he never made it into the UFC, outlining confusing contract negotiations, personal friction with Dana White, and the business politics between promotions.
- He and Joe Rogan dive deep into why elite wrestling is the most important base for MMA, how Askren’s damage-avoiding style extended his career, and why many strikers fail to commit to grappling at the necessary intensity.
- They broaden the discussion to systemic issues in combat sports and athletics, including Olympic and NCAA exploitation of athletes, CTE concerns in contact sports, PED use, and the gap between how organizations profit and how fighters and wrestlers are protected.
- Askren also shares his philosophy on sports psychology, coaching, and training structure, arguing that mental preparation, structured practice, and a wrestler’s mindset are what separate consistent winners from everyone else.
IDEAS WORTH REMEMBERING
5 ideasWrestling remains the most decisive base in MMA.
Askren and Rogan emphasize that the ability to dictate where the fight takes place—especially taking strikers down and nullifying their offense—is the true competitive trump card, as shown by fighters like GSP, Khabib, and Stipe Miocic.
Politics and personalities can override merit in fight careers.
Askren’s account of being released from Bellator, then abruptly rejected by the UFC despite prior interest, shows how executive grudges, business positioning vs. rival promotions, and image concerns can block even undefeated champions.
Most fighters undertrain their weakest disciplines.
Askren argues that strikers rarely immerse themselves in wrestling the way he immersed himself in striking—doing six to seven striking sessions a week early on—so they never close the skill gap needed to stop elite takedown artists.
Mindset is as trainable—and as neglected—as physical skills.
He describes tailoring mental strategies (e.g., not thinking about the fight within six hours, knowing whether you need to be hyped up or calmed down) and says almost no structured, systematic mental coaching exists in MMA compared to wrestling.
Current amateur and Olympic systems often exploit athletes.
They criticize the NCAA and Olympic model for generating billions while athletes are barred from earning on their own name/image, calling it archaic and “theft” that stifles young people’s initiative and long‑term well‑being.
WORDS WORTH SAVING
5 quotes“If you can’t knock me out, I’m gonna eventually get you on the ground and I’m gonna beat your ass.”
— Ben Askren
“Fighting is not what’s exciting for people to watch. Fighting is what actually works.”
— Joe Rogan
“I think MMA’s a terrible career path… For a couple people it’s probably right. For a majority of people, probably not a great career path.”
— Ben Askren
“Not only will they not pay you anything, but the fact that they can’t make money off their own image and likeness… it should be criminal.”
— Ben Askren, on the NCAA
“As an intelligent individual, you can’t just take what mainstream media tells you and say, ‘Well, I guess that’s how it happened.’”
— Ben Askren
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