The Joe Rogan ExperienceJRE MMA Show #43 with Brendan Schaub
CHAPTERS
- 0:00 – 1:54
UFC 230 at MSG: why the main event is still “TBA vs TBD”
Joe and Brendan open by reacting to the UFC 230 poster still listing the Madison Square Garden main event as “to be announced” versus “to be determined,” unusually close to the event date. They speculate the promotion is scrambling for a headliner and discuss what that wording might imply behind the scenes.
- 1:54 – 2:22
Evaluating the rest of the MSG lineup (Stylebender–Brunson, Rockhold–Weidman, Jacaré–Branch)
They pivot to the quality of the undercard and argue that, despite the missing headliner, there are strong matchups already booked. Joe highlights Israel Adesanya vs Derek Brunson as a sleeper, while Brendan calls out other notable middleweight fights.
- 2:22 – 2:59
Gegard Mousasi’s dominance, Rory at 185, and Bellator’s tournament complications
The discussion moves to Mousasi’s form and his move to Bellator, especially after his one-sided win over Rory MacDonald. They break down why Rory’s size and weight class choice made the matchup brutal and then zoom out to Bellator’s tournament dynamics and Rory’s health issues (notably his nose).
- 2:59 – 9:29
Comic-book detour: ‘Batman’s penis,’ superhero reboots, and pop-culture fatigue
A running gag about fighter confidence turns into a long riff on comic books showing Batman’s anatomy and broader debates about modern reboots. Joe critiques what he sees as revisionist trends in comics and superhero casting changes, then the conversation spills into superhero power-scaling arguments (Batman vs Superman).
- 9:29 – 13:36
Venom, Spider-Man generations, and Chris Pratt at Comic Con (plus hunting and wrestling)
They continue the pop-culture lane, talking Venom’s premise and the constant churn of Spider-Man actors. Joe shares stories about Chris Pratt feeling out of place at Comic Con, plus Pratt’s hunting, athletic background, and videos of him wrestling the Nogueira brothers.
- 13:36 – 21:34
Theme parks, Disney rides, and the economics of ‘cheat days’ (Disneyland to Chicago pizza)
The conversation drifts into amusement parks, comparing Universal, Six Flags, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Disney World’s Avatar ride. This transitions into diet/food talk—why theme parks wreck nutrition, then an extended Chicago food tangent about deep-dish pizza and long waits at famous spots.
- 21:34 – 24:30
Tour crowds and culture: Chicago & Toronto vs the ‘whitest’ Seattle/Portland
They compare cities through the lens of performing live: Chicago’s energy, Toronto’s multicultural vibe, and Seattle/Portland’s homogeneity. Joe uses the topic to segue into an evolutionary explanation of skin color adaptation and why racism is irrational.
- 24:30 – 34:13
MeToo, public pile-ons, and redemption: Louis C.K., Aziz, Cosby, and Ronaldo allegations
They address backlash culture and how legitimate claims can be undermined by false or opportunistic ones. The segment centers on Louis C.K.’s attempted comeback, what a proper apology might look like, and how different offenses (Louis vs Cosby/Weinstein) are often lumped together; they briefly mention allegations involving Cristiano Ronaldo.
- 34:13 – 43:39
Joe’s new comedy special: nerves, editing lessons, and the pain of watching yourself
Brendan asks Joe about releasing his special, prompting Joe to discuss the two-year build, self-editing, and what he learned from reviewing footage. They also trade horror stories about people forcing guests to watch their own work at parties and the awkwardness of self-promotion.
- 43:39 – 45:46
UFC 229 preview: will Conor–Khabib hit 2M buys, and why Conor skipped the promo tour
They pivot back to fights with a business angle: whether the PPV can reach the biggest Conor numbers without the full promotional machine. Joe argues Conor intentionally minimized promotion after the Mayweather payday, focusing energy on preparation for the toughest MMA matchup of his career.
- 45:46 – 52:20
Technical and psychological matchup: takedown threat, early ‘fire,’ hate factor, and weight-cut risks
Joe and Brendan break down how Conor’s footwork and counterpunching could punish entries, and how Khabib must close distance with discipline. They emphasize the psychological stakes, Khabib’s visible rattling in press moments, and the added variable of Khabib’s history with rough weight cuts.
- 52:20 – 59:02
Card-wide angles: Ferguson–Pettis, Volkov–Lewis, and Khabib’s legacy vs Conor’s résumé
They discuss key co-main and heavyweight matchups, then zoom out to compare the depth of Conor’s opponent list to Khabib’s. Joe acknowledges Khabib’s dominance while noting fewer marquee wins, and they debate how much Khabib has truly been tested under elite striking threats.
- 59:02 – 1:23:29
USADA ‘snitching,’ Jon Jones sanctions, and changing anti-doping disclosure rules
A rumor about USADA cooperation clauses leads into a detailed reading of policy language and what ‘substantial assistance’ could mean. They debate whether Jon Jones knowingly cheated or ingested something tainted, then critique the reputational and financial damage fighters suffer even when later cleared, especially under new confidentiality/disclosure practices.
- 1:23:29 – 1:26:35
MSG headliner shock: Shevchenko vs Sijara Eubanks reportedly moved to main event
They react in real time to news that Shevchenko–Eubanks could headline UFC 230, expressing disbelief about the scale of the booking for MSG. While acknowledging the fighters’ abilities, they argue the optics and mainstream drawing power don’t match the venue’s expectations.
- 1:26:35 – 2:13:28
Late-show life: Sober October, fitness challenges, charity, fatherhood, and health/therapy tangents
The final stretch becomes a wide-ranging hang: Joe talks downtime after his special, Sober October logistics, and fitness trackers, while Brendan shares an emotional offer to help Ray Borg with his child’s medical bills. They then bounce through fertility clinic stories, men behaving badly, body image on stage, massage/yoga recovery, stem cell/exosome treatments, and Brendan’s upcoming special and Bravo work.
