JRE MMA Show #15 with Brendan Schaub

Khabib’s grinding wrestling, Demian Maia’s suffocating jiu-jitsu, and Brian Ortega’s submission game show how elite specialists can overwhelm opponents, but fighters like Robert Whittaker, Rafael dos Anjos, and Max Holloway succeed by blending striking, wrestling, and defense into complete, adaptable games.

Examples like Whittaker moving up from welterweight and Dos Anjos thriving at 170 illustrate how less brutal cuts improve health, power, and performance; they praise ONE FC’s hydration-based system as a model that could reduce extreme cuts and extend careers.

They argue athletes like Ben Askren, Stipe Miocic, and Tyron Woodley have world‑class résumés but lack the push or narratives the UFC chooses to amplify, showing how business priorities can overshadow “best vs best” matchups and affect public perception.

Incidents like egregious eye gouges and repeated eye pokes prompt them to call for automatic point deductions (or even DQs) for fouls like eye pokes and groin shots, since these can radically change fights and cause lasting damage if refs only issue warnings.

Jon Jones is used as the archetype of a generational talent who can win with short camps and turbulent lifestyles; Rogan and Schaub debate whether his wildness is part of his genius or a ticking clock that will eventually undermine longevity as his body accumulates damage.