JRE MMA Show #20 with Yves Edwards
Joe Rogan (host), Yves Edwards (guest), Young Jamie Vernon (host), Narrator, Narrator, Narrator, Host (host), Host (host)
In this episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, featuring Joe Rogan and Yves Edwards, JRE MMA Show #20 with Yves Edwards explores old-School MMA, New Rules: Yves Edwards Reframes Fighting and Life Joe Rogan and MMA veteran Yves Edwards have a wide‑ranging, three‑hour conversation that moves from fashion jokes and training stories to deep analysis of MMA rules, judging, and fighter safety.
Old-School MMA, New Rules: Yves Edwards Reframes Fighting and Life
Joe Rogan and MMA veteran Yves Edwards have a wide‑ranging, three‑hour conversation that moves from fashion jokes and training stories to deep analysis of MMA rules, judging, and fighter safety.
They revisit early 2000s lightweight history, discuss how the sport and conditioning have evolved, and break down stylistic matchups like Khabib vs. Tony, Barboza vs. Lee, and Frankie Edgar’s quick return after a knockout.
A major thread is how rules and equipment (12–6 elbows, gloves, cages, judging criteria) shape fights, alongside candid talk about brain trauma, aging as a fighter, and the mindset that separates elite competitors from “I can’t catch a break” people.
The episode closes with Edwards’ post‑fighting life—broadcast work, stunt and acting gigs—and a straightforward unpacking of Brendan Schaub’s controversial comments about the FOX desk and race.
Key Takeaways
MMA rules and gear heavily shape what ‘effective’ fighting looks like.
Edwards argues the 12–6 elbow ban is arbitrary, gloves create unrealistic striking dynamics, and cage walls fundamentally change grappling; revisiting rules (elbows, eye‑poke‑reducing gloves, Pride-style judging) could improve both safety and fairness.
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High‑level wrestling plus relentless pressure is still one of MMA’s most dominant weapons.
They highlight Khabib and Dagestani wrestlers as doing ‘standard’ techniques at an abnormal level, and speculate on matchups with elite American wrestlers like Gregor Gillespie or a hypothetical Jordan Burroughs in MMA.
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Judging is a bigger problem than any single rule change.
Rogan and Edwards stress that many judges misunderstand wrestling and MMA scoring (e. ...
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Weight cuts and rapid medical decisions can be more dangerous than the fights themselves.
They recount Khabib’s weight‑cut issues and Dustin Poirier’s post‑fight ER visit where doctors pushed invasive calf surgery; both cases show how dehydration and rushed medical calls can jeopardize careers and health.
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Mindset and discipline separate champions from talented underachievers.
Edwards contrasts gym ‘world beaters’ who freeze under stakes with relentless workers like Stipe or Darren Elkins, and Rogan blasts the “I can’t catch a break” attitude as self‑sabotaging compared to people who treat setbacks as fuel.
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Recovery and long‑term brain health must trump ego and short‑term pride.
They question Frankie Edgar’s quick turnaround after a KO and reflect on aging: Edwards can still move well but acknowledges he recovers slower and actively does cognitive exercises to protect his brain.
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Representation debates in MMA media must still respect merit.
Discussing Brendan Schaub’s comment about the FOX desk being a ‘box‑checking’ Black cast, Edwards explains his issue wasn’t “you’re racist” but “you’re implying we’re only here for our skin color, not because we’re good at the job.”
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Notable Quotes
“A takedown with an immediate stand‑up is not a whole lot different than you blocking a kick.”
— Yves Edwards
“If you want equality of outcome, you can suck my dick. There’s no such thing as equality of outcome.”
— Joe Rogan
“Darren Elkins… that is the reward for having indomitable spirit.”
— Joe Rogan
“Nothing worth doing is easy. Because if it was easy, everybody would do it.”
— Yves Edwards
“My thing wasn’t, ‘You’re a racist.’ My thing was, you’re saying me or my brother or my sister aren’t good enough to be here.”
— Yves Edwards (on Brendan Schaub’s FOX desk comments)
Questions Answered in This Episode
If MMA could be redesigned from scratch today, what rules and scoring system would produce the most skilled, least brain‑damaging form of the sport?
Joe Rogan and MMA veteran Yves Edwards have a wide‑ranging, three‑hour conversation that moves from fashion jokes and training stories to deep analysis of MMA rules, judging, and fighter safety.
Get the full analysis with uListen AI
How can athletic commissions realistically overhaul judging to prioritize expertise without becoming politicized or insular?
They revisit early 2000s lightweight history, discuss how the sport and conditioning have evolved, and break down stylistic matchups like Khabib vs. ...
Get the full analysis with uListen AI
Where is the ethical line between ‘toughing it out’ in training and knowingly risking permanent brain or bodily damage for marginal gains?
A major thread is how rules and equipment (12–6 elbows, gloves, cages, judging criteria) shape fights, alongside candid talk about brain trauma, aging as a fighter, and the mindset that separates elite competitors from “I can’t catch a break” people.
Get the full analysis with uListen AI
Could a truly elite American wrestler in his prime—like a Jordan Burroughs—adapt quickly enough to beat Dagestani specialists such as Khabib in MMA, or is that wrestling gap overstated?
The episode closes with Edwards’ post‑fighting life—broadcast work, stunt and acting gigs—and a straightforward unpacking of Brendan Schaub’s controversial comments about the FOX desk and race.
Get the full analysis with uListen AI
In sports media and commentary, how do we balance diversity, optics, and audience trust while still keeping the panel a pure meritocracy?
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Transcript Preview
... and we're live. Yves Edwards, ladies and gentlemen. You're one of those dudes that has that book cover for your phone. I tried to rock the book cover. After a while, I'm like, "What am I doing here with this extra step where I gotta open up a book to get to my phone?"
I like it because I forget things a lot, so like, I don't like having a wallet and a phone when I leave somewhere, like especially even a house. I leave the house with my phone, but I don't have my cash or my cards or something like that, so-
Mm. I got a solution for you. It's called a motherfucking fanny pack.
(laughs)
(laughs)
That's right, Yves Edwards. You're a cool dude. You think you can g- you're cool enough to rock one of these? Like, are you cool enough to get past the social pariah aspect of this bag that you wear around your waist?
I don't have that much shit with me most of the time.
Well, it's not that much shit. There's a lot of shit in here, but this is a w- a weird day. I have like keys and sh... I have a knife in there and stuff. But most of the time it's just light. I travel light with that. Look at that. Who's ga- who's that?
Uh, I believe Quavo from Migos.
Uh, I have no idea who you just said.
(laughs) He's a popular rapper, so-
But that is a ridic... He- Is he a popular fellow?
Yes.
I'm an old man, dude.
Quavo's a popular-
Yeah.
I'm an old man who listens to The Allman Brothers, all right?
(laughs)
(laughs) But that one that he's got on is preposterous.
He's very fancy.
You might as well have a laptop k- hanging around his waist.
Yeah, he's also got like holes in his jeans.
Yeah, that's ridiculous. What'd you get attacked by, a tiger, sir?
He's also got a lot of em- jewelry.
All that jewelry.
In the '80s.
Yeah. He's kind of ridiculous looking. Go b- but make that, make that bigger again so I can take a look at this gentleman.
Well, this is a light version too. I probably could have found a better picture.
He's got a lot going on. Those pants are preposterous. That's the most preposterous thing. Like, I guess the shoes, if you're like, you want to go out but you also want to go bowling, you might wear those shoes.
(laughs)
(laughs)
This is a roast fest. Let's go.
(laughs)
I can't, uh, say anything bad about the jewelry. I'm not into the jewelry. I mean, I'm, that's not my thing, but he looks like he's well-appointed.
It looks like he has two watches on, though.
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