The Joe Rogan ExperienceJRE MMA Show #20 with Yves Edwards
CHAPTERS
Fanny packs, ripped jeans, and fashion roasts to kick things off
Joe and Yves open with light banter about phone cases, wallets, and Joe’s fanny pack evangelism. The conversation quickly turns into a comedic roast of modern fashion—especially ripped jeans and oversized waist bags.
Training in LA: The Yard, Joe Schilling, and living with Mickey Gall
Yves explains his current training situation after moving to Los Angeles, including time at The Yard with Joe Schilling. He reveals Mickey Gall is now his roommate, creating a mentor-like dynamic where they watch fights and talk strategy.
Time capsule MMA: Hook and Shoot memories and early career reflections
Joe and Yves reminisce about the early days of MMA, including Hook and Shoot footage and Yves fighting Aaron Riley at age 20. They discuss how strange it feels to watch old fights and how the sport—and people—change over decades.
Cages, rules, and what MMA should fix first
The discussion shifts into rules and structure: cage dynamics, alternative fight spaces, and whether the unified rules make sense. Yves immediately flags rule problems, especially the 12-to-6 elbow ban, and Joe expands into broader officiating issues.
Judging reform: Pride-style scoring, more judges, and what should count
Joe and Yves argue for substantial judging reform, including scoring the whole fight (Pride-style) and adding more judges. They critique MMA’s borrowed boxing criteria and question why takedowns with immediate stand-ups score so highly.
Khabib vs Tony breakdown and the Dagestan wrestling pipeline
Joe and Yves analyze the (then-upcoming) Tony Ferguson vs Khabib Nurmagomedov matchup, weighing Tony’s scramble-heavy jiu-jitsu against Khabib’s control. The talk expands into Dagestan’s wrestling culture and why Khabib’s ‘basic’ game is unstoppable at elite intensity.
Eye pokes and glove design: simple fixes that could change outcomes
They return to rules—specifically eye pokes—and brainstorm glove design changes that preserve grappling while preventing extended fingers. Joe argues finger-tip coverage or curved glove shapes (like Pride/Bellator) could dramatically reduce fouls without harming technique.
New York fight-night hospital story: Poirier’s shin swelling and pushy surgery
Yves tells a detailed story about a post-fight hospital visit in New York where doctors pushed aggressively for Dustin Poirier to undergo an invasive procedure after severe calf/shin swelling. Joe reacts with disbelief, and they discuss medical incentives, uncertainty, and how quickly Dustin ultimately recovered.
Sleep, recovery, and mental clarity: from cold medicine to ‘sleep on it’ wisdom
The conversation pivots from hospital meds into sleep, decision-making, and mental reset. Joe and Yves share experiences with strong cold medicine, the healing value of sleep, and the way problems look different after resting.
Conditioning evolution, weight-cutting extremes, and the early MMA schedule
They compare modern strength and conditioning to older eras, praising early innovators and big gyms like ATT while noting the sport’s rapid professionalization. Yves and Joe discuss extreme weight cuts, rehydration, and how few UFC events existed in the early 2000s.
Wars, toughness, and performance under real stakes
Joe and Yves explore why some fighters thrive only under competition while others are gym ‘world beaters’ who can’t translate it to fights. They highlight mental strength through examples like Darren Elkins vs Mirsad Bektic and discuss why “MMA math” fails.
From Confederate flags to hookworm: culture, stereotypes, and societal investment
The show takes a long detour into social issues: race symbolism, regional identity, and how stereotypes form. Joe introduces the historical hookworm epidemic as a factor in perceptions of the American South, and they discuss how society fails to invest evenly in communities.
Budgets, college costs, and online education vs distraction
They debate government spending priorities, comparing military and education budgets and exploring what it would cost to make college tuition-free. The conversation shifts to online learning, credentials, and the discipline problem—learning at home competes with endless distraction.
Barefoot running, foot strength, and how the body adapts
Joe shares his belief in minimalist/barefoot-style shoes for foot strength and better mechanics. Yves connects the idea to adaptation and training habits, describing how he changed from wearing wrestling shoes in striking sessions to feeling more agile barefoot.
AKA injuries, hard sparring culture, and why elite rooms get hurt
They discuss how top gyms like AKA produce champions while also seeing frequent injuries, exploring gym logistics, crowded mats, and sparring intensity. Examples include Cain/DC ‘sparring vs fighting’ and the tradeoffs of having many elite athletes training simultaneously.
Media work and fighter safety: Fox desk schedule and comeback timing concerns
Joe asks Yves about his analyst role and how the Fox/UFC desk rotation works. They then shift into fighter safety—specifically quick turnarounds after knockouts—and preview cards like Barboza vs Kevin Lee and Edgar vs Swanson.
Schaub controversy: race, qualification, and what was actually offensive
Yves recounts his reaction to Brendan Schaub’s comments about the Fox desk, clarifying that his issue wasn’t labeling Brendan racist but implying analysts were hired due to skin color rather than merit. Joe agrees it was insensitive and poorly framed, emphasizing the analysts’ credentials and passion.
Life after fighting: brain health, acting/stunts, and new creative outlets
Yves explains what he misses about fighting, why MMA competition no longer makes sense, and how recovery changes with age. He then details his post-career pursuits—acting, stunt work, standup attempts, and training projects—plus memorable moments like working near Denzel Washington.
Pluto TV projects and wrap-up: new platforms and where to find Yves
In the closing minutes, Yves plugs his Pluto TV work and describes the format—interviews and watch-along ‘fight party’ content. Joe wraps by noting how fast time passed and directs listeners to Yves’ social channels.
