CHAPTERS
- 0:01 – 0:52
Setting the stage: Badr Hari rematch and why it’s massive for kickboxing
Joe and Rico open with the December rematch against Badr Hari, framing it as a potential biggest fight in kickboxing history. They discuss the venue in the Netherlands and how huge European crowds are compared to the U.S.
- 0:52 – 2:43
Why kickboxing hasn’t exploded in America (and rules that affect fan appeal)
They dig into the puzzling lack of American mainstream interest in kickboxing and Muay Thai despite MMA fans loving stand-up. Rico argues pathways like wrestling-to-MMA are more common in the U.S., and discusses how rulesets (like limited clinching) shape entertainment value.
- 2:43 – 4:27
Elbows, cuts, and safety: striking rules and fight longevity
Rico explains why he dislikes elbows—mainly due to cuts—and Joe compares the damage seen in bare-knuckle boxing. They discuss elbow pads in amateur Muay Thai as a safety measure that preserves action while reducing career-threatening cuts.
- 4:27 – 5:51
Could Rico do MMA? Heavyweight opportunity, motivation, and timelines
Joe presses Rico on whether he’d consider a UFC run, noting how shallow heavyweight can be. Rico admits he’s thought about it, explains his limited MMA experience, and later estimates he’d need about a year to prepare seriously for high-level MMA.
- 5:51 – 7:35
The first Badr Hari fight: anticlimax, suspicion, and the rematch logic
They revisit the controversial ending of the first fight when Badr’s arm injury halted the bout. Rico calls it an anticlimax and suggests the ending conveniently enabled a rematch, then breaks down his Round 1 approach and pressure style.
- 7:35 – 10:58
Pressure cardio at heavyweight: training with lighter fighters and managing resources
Rico explains how years of sparring lighter, high-volume fighters built his pace and endurance. Joe and Rico discuss the strategic balancing of power vs. output and the concept of fighting as a resource-management game.
- 10:58 – 14:39
Jamal Ben Saddik rematch: staying calm, fixing mistakes, and late finish
Joe praises Rico’s comeback win over Jamal Ben Saddik, emphasizing composure after getting hurt early. Rico details the specific technical mistake (stance switch positioning) and his mental reset—accepting a lost round and focusing on the long game.
- 14:39 – 19:48
Badr’s reputation, inactivity, suspensions, and the importance of ring timing
They outline Badr Hari’s legendary status, legal trouble, inconsistent activity, and a steroid-related suspension context. Both discuss how long layoffs affect timing and comfort under lights, emphasizing the advantage of staying active.
- 19:48 – 22:16
Drug testing realities: event-only testing vs year-round controls
Joe and Rico examine how drug testing works around Glory/Dutch commissions and why event-only testing is easier to game than year-round programs. Rico stresses wanting a cleaner sport for safety and fairness, especially at heavyweight power levels.
- 22:16 – 26:03
Building kickboxing’s popularity: Dutch hero narrative and U.S. growth hopes
Rico describes how public perception in the Netherlands shifted as he became a mainstream ‘good guy’ figure, amplified by the Badr rivalry. Joe reiterates Glory’s elite striking product and both discuss what it would take to grow kickboxing in America.
- 26:03 – 34:51
Strength, explosiveness, and sparring philosophy: balancing hard work with control
Rico breaks down his training mix: strength, conditioning, skill sessions, explosiveness work, and sparring frequency. He explains why he avoids maxing out and why controlled sparring matters for longevity and maintaining high-level partners.
- 34:51 – 44:43
Hollywood ambitions: acting plans, management, and staying ‘all-in’ on fighting
Rico discusses moving into acting, working with U.S. management, and taking language/acting improvement seriously. Joe asks about the risk of being distracted; Rico insists he and his coach separate phases—either fully focused on fighting or fully focused on filming.
- 44:43 – 52:53
Cardio, mindset, and the ‘champion grind’: running, mental toughness, and overtraining risk
They talk about running as a hated-but-essential base builder, especially for a 260-pound heavyweight. Rico frames discomfort as mental conditioning and admits he needs his team to prevent overtraining because his default is always to push harder.
- 52:53 – 1:17:54
Recovery, tracking, nutrition, and mental coaching: optimizing the full package
Rico details monitoring temperature and vitals, keeping logs, using a doctor for bloodwork-based supplementation, and relying on massage and cryotherapy for recovery. The conversation expands into sports psychology, grief, and how talking things out can improve performance and life balance.
- 1:17:54 – 1:20:15
Fight logistics and closing: how to watch Rico vs Badr, plus final push for kickboxing
They confirm the event date and distribution options (UFC Fight Pass and possibly ESPN/ESPN2). Joe emphasizes the bout as a gateway for new fans to understand elite kickboxing and they end with Rico’s social handles and a hopeful outlook for U.S. growth.
