The Joe Rogan ExperienceJRE MMA Show #21 with Brendan Schaub
CHAPTERS
UFC 223 chaos begins: Embedded, weight cuts, and Max vs. Khabib’s awkward camaraderie
Joe and Brendan open on a ‘bummer but awesome’ fight week, reacting to UFC Embedded footage that captures Max Holloway and Khabib Nurmagomedov training near each other. They quickly pivot to the reality of drastic, tightly managed weight cuts and how unusual it is that both fighters share the same weight-cut specialist.
Why taking Khabib on six days’ notice is insane (and why Max earns instant respect)
They emphasize how rare it is for an elite champion like Max Holloway to accept such a dangerous matchup on six days’ notice—especially coming off a broken foot. The conversation frames the fight as high-risk but legacy-defining, win or lose.
The Khabib ‘training room myth’: DC, Jon Fitch, and Ed Ruth stories that fuel the legend
Brendan shares escalating testimonials from respected wrestlers and fighters claiming Khabib is unlike anyone they’ve seen. Joe adds details about Khabib’s dominance in actual fights (e.g., Barboza), reinforcing the sense that Khabib’s grappling is historically special.
What makes the matchup compelling: Max’s backward striking vs. Khabib’s inevitability
They break down why the fight is fascinating even with the short-notice controversy. Brendan argues Max’s ability to strike while retreating could be a theoretical weakness for Khabib, while Joe compares the moment to other short-notice classics like Diaz vs. McGregor.
Khabib at 170? The Woodley thought experiment and why Tyron is underrated
The talk jumps to hypothetical cross-division matchups, especially Khabib at welterweight and what a collision with Tyron Woodley might look like. Joe argues Woodley’s power and grappling don’t get enough credit, reframing ‘boring’ fights with context like injuries and matchup dynamics.
If not Tony, then who? Ortega as a stylistic nightmare and the ‘Snap City’ debate
They return to who can truly threaten Khabib, praising Tony Ferguson’s style as the ideal test—then lamenting the injury cancellation. Brendan proposes Brian Ortega as a dangerous, unconventional grappler who could create submission threats Khabib hasn’t faced.
UFC business realities: belts, rankings chaos, and stripping champions
Joe and Brendan zoom out to the promotional and organizational side: interim titles, confusing rankings, and the power the UFC has to declare championships. They discuss how rankings can discourage fights and how belt politics shape matchmaking more than pure sport logic.
April Fools’ injury bombshell: verifying Tony’s accident and Dana’s ‘savage’ humor
They relive the surreal timing of Tony Ferguson’s injury news breaking on April Fools’ Day and how hard it was to believe. Joe recounts calling sources (including Tony’s coach) to confirm details, and they react to Dana White’s joking comment about sunglasses indoors.
Sunglasses indoors → celebrity ‘tool’ behavior and podcast fashion riffs
A throwaway line becomes a comedic rant about people wearing sunglasses indoors, especially at fights. They joke about fame, style posturing, and the absurdity of using accessories as social armor.
Training, cardio misery, and injuries: VersaClimber torture and Joe’s tendonitis ‘TheraBand’ fix
The conversation shifts into fitness gadgets, cardio tools, and how aging/injuries force training changes. Joe explains his golfer’s elbow/tendonitis issues, the treatments he tried, and the simple band exercise that finally made a difference.
Diet confessions: pizza, pasta, airports, and the ‘tired = carbs’ problem
They talk about the psychology of diet adherence—especially how fatigue and travel weaken willpower. The segment is mostly comedic but lands on a practical truth: consistent discipline matters, but planned indulgences can keep people sane.
Steroids in culture: fitness influencers, boxing PED talk, and how bodies ‘change’
Their fitness discussion escalates into PED speculation—from Canelo/boxing ‘tainted meat’ excuses to physique changes in fitness models. They joke about visible signs of steroid use and debate how credible fighter ‘PED detection’ claims really are.
Media careers & comedy craft: Showtime notes, saying too much, and building an act with discipline
Brendan explains how Showtime loosened the format to let him be himself and how unfiltered talking can create backlash. Joe and Brendan then dig into standup process: presence on stage, learning from bad sets, relentless reps, and tools like Scrivener/corkboards for writing.
From Me Too to parenting to trans sports: power dynamics, mental health, and cultural flashpoints
The final stretch becomes a wide-ranging cultural conversation: Me Too’s benefits and potential misuse, depression and medication (including Propecia anecdotes), and how having children changes anxiety and empathy. They end on a heated debate about very young ‘trans’ decisions and fairness in girls’ sports when testosterone is involved.
