JRE MMA Show #20 with Yves Edwards

Episode Summary

Main Topics Discussed

• Fashion & Lifestyle Habits: Discussion on phone cases, the practicality vs. social perception of fanny packs, and a humorous critique of modern fashion trends like ripped jeans, skinny jeans, and celebrity outfits.
• MMA Training & Updates: Yves Edwards discusses his current training regimen, training with Joe Rogan, and sharing a house with Mickey Gall.
• Early MMA History & Nostalgia: Joe and Yves revisit Yves's old fights from promotions like Hook N Shoot and early UFC events, discussing historical moments and figures like Jeff Osborne and Big John McCarthy.
• MMA Rules & Judging Reform: A detailed debate on problematic rules (e.g., the 12-to-6 elbow), the impact of gloves on striking, criteria for scoring takedowns, and the need for more qualified judges.
• Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson Breakdown: An extensive analysis of the highly anticipated fight, covering both fighters' styles, past performances, conditioning, weight cut issues, and the unique wrestling prowess of Dagestani fighters.
• The Myth of "MMA Math": Discussing why fight outcomes aren't always predictable based on common opponents, and the rare exception of consistently dominant, undefeated fighters.

Key Insights & Memorable Moments

• The Fanny Pack Conundrum: Joe humorously attempts to convince Yves of the practicality and potential coolness of fanny packs for carrying essentials, contrasting with Yves's preference for a wallet phone case.
• Fashion Roasting Session: Both Joe and Yves engage in lighthearted mockery of current fashion, particularly ripped jeans and an elaborate outfit worn by a rapper, with Joe acknowledging his own lack of fashion sense.
• "Barbell Jeans": Yves introduces the concept of "barbell jeans," which look like skinny jeans but offer elasticity, feeling "like wearing sweatpants" and allowing for full mobility.
• Reflecting on Past Fights: Yves describes watching his younger self fight as feeling like "another life," highlighting the personal evolution over two decades.
• Critique of the 12-to-6 Elbow Rule: Both agree this rule is "stupid" and based on an exaggerated fear of injury, arguing it lacks significant power compared to other strikes.
• Scoring Takedowns: Yves makes a compelling argument that a takedown followed by an immediate stand-up should not be scored heavily, comparing it to simply blocking a kick.
• Corner Influence on Judges: Yves reveals that he noticed Greg Jackson's technique of loudly cheering perceived strikes to potentially sway judges, highlighting a psychological aspect of fight perception.
• Khabib's Unparalleled Dominance: Khabib is lauded for executing "standard" wrestling and ground-and-pound techniques at an "unreal" level, "several notches past what everybody else is doing," making him a terrifying opponent.
• Tony Ferguson's Unpredictability: Tony is characterized as exceptionally creative and unpredictable, known for unusual techniques like upward elbows, Granby rolls, and surprising submissions.
• Jon Jones' "Undefeated" Status: Joe firmly believes Jon Jones is effectively undefeated despite his DQ loss to Matt Hamill, calling the ruling "nonsense."

Notable Quotes or Revelations

• Joe (on book cover phone cases): "What am I doing here with this extra step? I gotta open up a book to get to my phone."
• Yves (on Barbell Jeans): "They look like skinny jeans because they take that tie - but they have some elasticity... man they're like we're in sweatpants."
• Yves (on watching his 20-year-old self fight): "Is it weird? It is weird. Does it seem like you doesn't seem like another life? It's kind of another life it is."
• Joe (on the 12-to-6 elbow): "It's just stupid... you'd be shocked at how weak your elbow is, especially a drop-down elbow like it's just not that much power."
• Yves (on takedowns with immediate stand-ups): "A takedown with the immediate stand-up... is not a whole lot different than you blocking a kick."
• Yves (on corner coaching influence): "I was like Mike, he's cheering him on, getting kind of getting the judges on his side."
• Joe (on MMA judging): "There should be way better judges for sure. Guys who are former fighters, guys who are martial arts experts, guys who really care about the sport."
• Yves (on Khabib's style): "He's not doing different things than everybody else... but he's just doing it at... several notches past what everybody else is doing."
• Joe (on Khabib's mauling of Michael Johnson): "That was helpless. That was mauling and horrifying... it's horrific."
• Joe (on Tony Ferguson): "Tony's so creative like he's very unpredictable... he'll do all kinds of weird shit, he'll do Granby rolls on you, he'll dive for a leg."

Overall Themes

• The Evolving Landscape of MMA: The conversation repeatedly highlights the progression of MMA from its raw early days to a more refined sport, constantly grappling with rule refinements and strategic innovations.
• Pursuit of Fairness and Accuracy: A strong theme of the discussion is the desire for improved fairness in MMA judging and rule-making, driven by a deep understanding and passion for the sport's intricacies.
• Fighter Resilience and Dedication: The episode underscores the incredible physical and mental fortitude required of MMA fighters, from managing brutal weight cuts to developing unique, effective fighting styles.
• Appreciation for Mastery: Both Joe and Yves express profound admiration for elite fighters like Khabib and Tony, who push the boundaries of skill and strategy, creating compelling and unpredictable matchups.
• Humor as a Connector: Despite serious discussions about fighting, the episode maintains a lighthearted tone through shared humor, personal anecdotes, and playful banter, reflecting the friendship between Joe and Yves.