The Joe Rogan ExperienceJRE MMA Show #96 with Justin Gaethje & Trevor Wittman
CHAPTERS
- 0:00 – 1:43
Trevor Wittman on coaching awards, small rosters, and rebuilding after gym turmoil
Joe opens by praising Trevor’s coaching accolades, prompting Trevor to explain why he values a small, focused stable of athletes. He recounts a difficult period when he lost most of his fighters and had to rebuild his gym and career from scratch.
- 1:43 – 2:49
Why one-on-one coaching matters more than ‘super gyms’
Joe and Trevor compare individualized coaching to mega-gyms where athletes can feel overlooked. Trevor explains the psychological and tactical benefits of deeply knowing an athlete’s habits and mindset through constant, direct work.
- 2:49 – 5:50
Gaethje’s ‘zero striking’ beginnings and the first day at Trevor’s gym
Justin reveals he began MMA with essentially no formal striking training, relying on wrestling and toughness. Trevor tells the story of meeting Justin and being shocked by his readiness to spar without even owning gear.
- 5:50 – 8:15
Building trust: coach-athlete relationship, peaking, and avoiding overtraining
The conversation shifts to what elite coaching looks like day-to-day: trust, communication, and controlling training load. Trevor argues that many fighters overtrain by stacking hard sessions across multiple gyms without a unified plan.
- 8:15 – 11:44
Training by intuition and purpose: tailoring heart-rate, style, and goals
Joe asks about wearables and heart-rate variability; Trevor says intuition and deep athlete knowledge guide his decisions. He explains how an athlete’s purpose—highlight-reel fighter vs. future champion—changes how they train and fight.
- 11:44 – 20:47
Short-notice chaos: the Tony Ferguson offer, cancellations, and mental readiness
They break down the two Tony Ferguson offers during COVID-era scheduling uncertainty. Justin explains why the first ‘special’ circumstance felt acceptable, but the second felt wrong—primarily due to mindset and preparation standards.
- 20:47 – 25:17
From wrestler to striker: using wrestling invisibly through clinch leg kicks and positioning
Joe probes why an All-American wrestler rarely shoots takedowns in the UFC. Justin explains he was a defensive wrestler and now uses wrestling concepts—pressure, weight manipulation, clinch control—to set up damaging kicks and strikes.
- 25:17 – 26:26
Career crossroads: two UFC losses, fighting ‘in spots,’ and redefining defense
After losses to Alvarez and Poirier, Justin and Trevor describe a critical adjustment: keeping aggression but using it selectively. Trevor frames championship-level fighting as defensive excellence built from positional discipline and controlled bursts.
- 26:26 – 37:36
Mindset, identity, and staying grounded: emotions, crowds, and life after fighting
They discuss how crowds influence decision-making, why controlling emotions is essential, and how fame can derail athletes. Trevor and Joe explore retirement struggles, identity loss, and the need for life coaching alongside fight coaching.
- 37:36 – 1:11:44
Comic detour with real stakes: cups, sparring safety, and ‘protect your jewels’
A lighthearted segment turns into a safety discussion about training without protective gear. They trade stories about groin shots, Thai steel cups, and the absurdities of combat sports preparation.
- 1:11:44 – 1:26:52
Lessons from the past: Shane Carwin stories, injuries, and referee stoppage philosophy
Trevor and Joe trade stories about heavyweight power (Shane Carwin), training injuries, and corner dynamics. The discussion expands into how referees and corners must prioritize long-term fighter safety in stoppage decisions.
- 1:26:52 – 2:46:25
From coaching to innovation: Wittman’s Onyx equipment mission and fixing MMA’s gear problems
Trevor explains how chronic hand/arm injuries and training safety concerns pushed him to design better equipment. He demonstrates why UFC gloves are flawed (hand forced open, poor foam, inconsistent weights) and shows his glove/headgear solutions.
