Joe Rogan Experience #761 - Bas Rutten

Episode Summary

Main Topics Discussed

• The tragic passing of former UFC Heavyweight Champion Kevin Randleman due to complications from pneumonia and a severe staph infection, leading to a broader discussion on fighters pushing through injuries.
• The career of MMA fighter Benji Radach, including a bizarre incident where he received a knee implant from an illegally obtained, infected cadaver, and his unfulfilled potential due to an ego leading him to brawl rather than stick to a game plan.
• The strategic brilliance of Georges St-Pierre (GSP) in adapting his game plan to his opponents and consistently introducing new techniques.
• The unique phenomenon of Bob Sapp's massive stardom and earnings in Japan, contrasted with his later career of "quick tapping" and perceived decline, which Bas Rutten equates to "begging for money."
• A detailed breakdown of Ronda Rousey's devastating loss to Holly Holm, focusing on Holly's superior footwork, movement, and diverse striking, which perfectly countered Ronda's "bulldog" approach.
• Discussion about controversial and illogical MMA rules, specifically the "12 to 6 elbow" rule and the rule regarding knees to a downed opponent (hand on the ground).
• The career potential and personal struggles of Jon Jones, with concerns that his personal flaws might derail a potentially legendary career.

Key Insights & Memorable Moments

• Bas Rutten emphasized the importance of taking double the prescribed recovery time for injuries, warning against the common fighter mentality of rushing back, which often leads to re-injury.
• The shocking description of Kevin Randleman's staph infection, which left "fist-sized holes" in his body, highlighting the extreme physical toll some fighters endure.
• The revelation about Benji Radach's knee surgery involving an illegally obtained, infected corpse part, leading to an FBI investigation.
• Bob Sapp's almost incomprehensible level of fame and income in Japan, where he was treated like a "superstar" and "video game boss," showcasing a different side of fight sports culture.
• Joe Rogan and Bas Rutten praised Holly Holm's exceptional footwork and diverse striking as being among the best in women's MMA, perfectly neutralizing Ronda Rousey's aggressive style.
• The humorous but true explanation of the "12 to 6 elbow" rule's origin: athletic commissions worried about "karate demonstrations" where people broke bricks with elbows.
• The strategic genius of Gabriel Gonzaga's initial fight against Mirko Cro Cop, where he constantly threw a non-landing right hand to shut down Cro Cop's dangerous left kick.

Notable Quotes or Revelations

• Bas Rutten on injury recovery: "If you have an injury and the doctor tells you take two months off, take four months off... take double the amount."
• Joe Rogan on fighter mental toughness as a double-edged sword: "That mental toughness in some fighters... is almost like a burden because he pushes through everything."
• Bas Rutten expressing disappointment in Bob Sapp's late career: "That's a very sad thing for me that that's almost uh the same as going on the street and back for money."
• Joe Rogan's high praise for Holly Holm: "Holly's movement is the best in all of women's MMA."
• Bas Rutten's prediction about the oblique kick: "It's going to be outlawed and when somebody's going to snap their knee it's going to be over."
• Revelation from Big John McCarthy about the "12 to 6 elbow" rule: "The only reason why you can't do it is because when they were setting up the athletic commissions the athletic commissions had seen those karate demonstrations on TV where a guy would break a brick with his elbow and they said well you can't do that that's got to be illegal cuz someone could die."

Overall Themes

The episode delves deeply into the physical and mental demands of professional fighting, particularly the long-term consequences of injuries and the unique psychological makeup of elite athletes. It explores the delicate balance between mental toughness and self-preservation, highlighting how pushing limits can sometimes be detrimental. The discussion also touches upon the strategic elements of MMA, contrasting different fighting styles and game-planning approaches, as well as the evolution and sometimes arbitrary nature of fighting rules across different organizations. Finally, a recurring theme is the fragility of a fighter's career and legacy, with examples of meteoric rises and subsequent declines, often influenced by personal choices and the unforgiving nature of the sport.