The Joe Rogan ExperienceJRE MMA Show #62 with Brendan Schaub
CHAPTERS
- 0:00 – 0:44
Cold open banter: Gucci shoes, confidence, and jumping into fight talk
Joe and Brendan kick off the live show by roasting Brendan’s flashy outfit choices before pivoting to the weekend’s fights. The tone is playful but quickly turns into hardcore MMA recap mode.
- 0:44 – 2:03
ESPN+ pay-per-view rollout problems and the piracy dilemma
Brendan explains how difficult it was to actually purchase and watch the event on ESPN+, describing platform glitches and workarounds. They joke about illegal streams while acknowledging how friction pushes fans toward piracy.
- 2:03 – 4:17
Max Holloway’s stardom and the realities of moving up in weight
They discuss why Holloway became a superstar (notably the Ortega fight) and why moving from 145 to 155 isn’t automatically a success story. The conversation centers on size, power transfer, and how Poirier’s shots “counted” more.
- 4:17 – 7:02
Poirier vs Holloway breakdown: damage, technique, and Poirier’s resume
Joe and Brendan credit Dustin Poirier’s performance, highlighting clean timing, head movement, and visible damage differences after the fight. They run through Poirier’s notable wins and how this fight elevated him with casual fans.
- 7:02 – 8:24
Theo Von at cageside and the shock of watching elite fights live
They riff on Theo Von’s emotional investment and hilarious “coach” yelling during the bout. Brendan describes how outsiders often don’t grasp the intensity of watching world-class MMA up close until they experience it.
- 8:24 – 9:52
Adesanya vs Gastelum: all-time classic, adversity, and hidden grappling
They call Adesanya–Gastelum one of the greatest fights ever and argue the early knockdown helped Adesanya’s long-term development. They also note Kelvin’s stock rose despite the loss and point out Adesanya’s surprising ground threats.
- 9:52 – 14:28
Weight classes, weight cutting extremes, and the case for 165 lbs
The discussion expands into the broader weight-cutting ecosystem: fighters ballooning after weigh-ins, mismatches created by drastic cuts, and whether additional divisions (like 165) would produce better performances. They compare body types across divisions and cite examples like Brandon Davis and Yoel Romero.
- 14:28 – 19:40
Whittaker vs Adesanya setup, Yoel Romero looming, and judging philosophy
They preview Adesanya vs Whittaker (and debate travel to Australia), then talk about Romero’s unique danger and Whittaker’s injury history. The conversation detours into scoring: when damage should outweigh volume, and whether more draws or expanded 10-8/10-7 usage would make sense.
- 19:40 – 32:02
Khalil Rountree’s Thailand transformation and the limits of striking-only success
They celebrate Rountree’s performance and the visible influence of Thai-style technique, sparking jokes about everyone booking trips to Phuket. Joe praises the timing and leg kicks but raises the strategic question of how that style holds up against elite grappling.
- 32:02 – 40:02
Jon Jones talk: Stylebender feud, thin 205 landscape, and Thiago Santos danger
They unpack how Jones and Adesanya’s trash talk started and why it’s useful for business even if the size gap is huge. They also argue 205 lacks depth compared to other divisions, then analyze how Santos’ knockout power creates risk even if Jones should be a heavy favorite.
- 40:02 – 47:00
Heavyweight picture: Brock rumors, DC/Stipe stakes, and contender chaos
They address Brock Lesnar uncertainty and the likely fallback of DC vs Stipe, then debate Stipe’s all-time heavyweight status versus Cain. The conversation branches into heavyweight matchmaking and the importance of activity, rankings, and risk management for champions.
- 47:00 – 52:06
Askren, wrestling crossovers, and the Herb Dean stoppage debate
Joe discusses Askren’s toughness and wrestling dominance, including the controversial Lawler finish and Herb Dean’s reasoning about neck cranks versus chokes. They also preview Askren vs Masvidal and react to the idea of Askren wrestling Jordan Burroughs.
- 52:06 – 1:19:42
TJ Dillashaw and EPO: testing limits, punishment, and why athletes cheat
They react to Dillashaw’s admission, discuss how EPO improves recovery and training output, and question how such usage could happen around daily bloodwork claims. The segment widens into the practical realities of anti-doping costs, retroactive testing, and what “fair” consequences look like.
- 1:19:42 – 1:44:10
From fight streams to streaming future: piracy, apps, and the end of cable
They return to the ESPN+ friction point and how piracy can increase popularity while still threatening revenue. The discussion expands into the broader trend: live sports moving to apps, cable becoming obsolete, and platforms like Amazon/Hulu changing distribution.
- 1:44:10 – 2:04:40
Pop culture detour: Bezos divorce money, The Rock’s grind, and modern fame
The conversation veers into Jeff Bezos’ wealth, divorce settlement scale, and how tech giants accumulate power. They also talk about The Rock’s relentless output, social media mastery, and what drives hyper-productive celebrities.
- 2:04:40 – 2:24:56
Comedy craft and “cancel culture”: writing, fear, and what audiences punish
They close with a long discussion about stand-up: how Rogan reviews sets, the value of being entertained to create, and which comics “move the needle.” The segment also tackles cultural backlash, edgy comedy, Louis C.K.’s return, and how punishment and forgiveness are negotiated in public.
