Ben Askren

Date: 2018-01-22 | Duration: 2h 19m

Episode Overview

Ben Askren dives deep into his MMA career, sharing candid reflections on his undefeated streak and the challenges he faced navigating the sport’s politics. He discusses his release from Bellator and a failed UFC contract opportunity, highlighting the difficulties of being a fighter who doesn’t conform to the typical mold or play the “yes man” role. Askren also breaks down his unique fighting style, emphasizing his focus on defense and longevity by avoiding damage, which contributed to his success and career durability. The conversation shifts to the mental aspects of combat sports, where Askren reveals his approach to mindset and preparation, including how he manages stress and maintains calm before fights. He touches on the importance of wrestling fundamentals in MMA and critiques common training practices, advocating for smarter, more focused skill development rather than volume alone. Additionally, Askren shares his concerns about repeated subconcussive hits and the long-term health risks fighters face, underscoring the toll the sport can take beyond the spotlight. Beyond MMA, Askren explores broader topics like the exploitation of young athletes, the impact of doping scandals, and the evolving landscape of fight regulations such as new weigh-in protocols. His insights offer a nuanced perspective on the complexities of professional fighting, blending personal experience with thoughtful commentary on the sport’s future.

About Ben Askren

Ben Askren is a celebrated former professional mixed martial artist and wrestler, renowned for his exceptional grappling skills and strategic prowess in the cage. As a two-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion, he transitioned to MMA, where he claimed the ONE Welterweight Championship and the Bellator Welterweight Championship, becoming a standout figure in the sport. Known for his unorthodox fighting style, candid personality, and memorable post-fight interviews, Askren has garnered a large following both inside and outside the octagon. Beyond his competitive accolades, he has become an influential voice in the MMA community, sharing insights and fostering discussions around the sport through his engaging presence on social media and podcasts, including his notable appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience.

Key Moments

– Mixed Martial Arts
– Wrestling
– Bellator MMA
– UFC
– Fight Strategy
– Weight Cutting
– Concussions and CTE
– Mental Training
– Sports Nutrition
– MMA Coaching
– Athlete Contracts
– Sports Injuries
– MMA Career Longevity
– MMA Training Camps
– Sports Psychology
– MMA Fight Analysis
– Doping in Sports
– Sports Media
– MMA Fight Promotions
– MMA Athlete Management
0:00:00 – Ben Askren discusses early career challenges
0:01:09 – Ben's undefeated streak and Bellator contract
0:05:24 – Ben's release from Bellator and contract issues
0:06:13 – UFC roster changes and contract fallout
0:08:22 – Fight analysis: Ngannou ground control
0:09:56 – Ben's coaching experience at Arizona State University
0:10:40 – Mental preparation and fight longevity
0:12:27 – Athlete income and financial struggles
0:15:11 – Discussion on athlete compensation disparities
0:17:16 – Reasons behind Bellator release
0:19:44 – Dana White and UFC fighter relations
0:22:04 – Hypocrisy among elite athletes
0:25:14 – Ben's early wrestling tournament experiences
0:26:22 – Techniques to maintain calmness before fights
0:30:53 – Training frequency and skill retention
0:35:18 – Recent study on subconcussive hits causing CTE
0:39:21 – Opioid crisis and athlete health concerns
0:42:47 – MMA as a career path discussion
0:44:26 – Discussion on Navy SEAL mindset and psychotic levels
0:46:29 – Book mention: Decoding Superman
0:47:21 – X Games and Tony Hawk documentary reference
0:48:25 – Ben's libertarian views and social commentary
0:50:50 – Progressive politics and media influence
0:52:37 – Vegas shooting conspiracy theories
0:56:37 – Illuminati and conspiracy discussions
1:00:12 – Challenges of tracking fighters and athletes
1:02:37 – 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu program overview
1:05:04 – Economic spending habits in wealthy countries
1:07:12 – Pharmaceuticals and marijuana legalization debate
1:10:40 – Skepticism about official narratives and conspiracies
1:13:01 – Apollo 13 and moon landing conspiracy theories
1:24:00 – Moon landing press conference analysis
1:29:04 – Rory MacDonald fight round breakdown
1:35:12 – MMA weigh-in procedures and anti-cheating measures
1:39:42 – Media obligations and fighter consistency
1:43:38 – Wrestling skills as MMA advantage
1:46:27 – Effective wrestling practice methods
1:49:20 – Importance of beginner's mindset in practice
1:52:00 – Competition as a teaching tool for athletes
1:56:29 – Early success factors in youth sports
2:00:23 – USADA impact on athlete performance
2:05:08 – Cross-training striking and wrestling in MMA
2:10:55 – Cumulative damage concerns in fighting careers
2:12:35 – Ben's desire to fight Georges St-Pierre
2:14:51 – Post-fighting career and coaching opportunities

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 Yeah, my oldest one's super... Starting point is 00:00:26 But, yeah, I never really got to fight those top guys. Starting point is 00:00:48 I really genuinely don't. Starting point is 00:01:09 I didn't get hit once in 2017. Starting point is 00:01:27 Obviously, my contract with Bellator came up in 2013. Starting point is 00:01:38 I'm undefeated. Starting point is 00:01:56 And they don't hear what I say. Starting point is 00:02:11 And they both got taken care of pretty well. Starting point is 00:02:40 And they've never met any type of threshold. So, you know, they say it matches, but it Starting point is 00:03:02 Right. Starting point is 00:03:30 that happens. Get rid of your Starting point is 00:03:45 Correct, yeah. Starting point is 00:04:01 Well, that's not true at all. Starting point is 00:04:16 So, finally, and all this Starting point is 00:04:34 Full, full, you're released. Starting point is 00:04:50 that afternoon, there's Starting point is 00:05:05 Now I finally produced Starting point is 00:05:16 So was there a reason given? Starting point is 00:05:24 So that was Friday that happens. I said, fuck that. I'm going a plane ticket to Vegas for Monday. So that was Friday that happens. Starting point is 00:05:39 And they offered me a Zufa contract, but it would be confidential. Starting point is 00:05:56 I don't know. Starting point is 00:06:13 Andrei Lavsky gets dropped from the UFC, goes to World Series, Anthony Johnson, boom, all these people. Starting point is 00:06:32 And about six hours later, I got a phone call that says that deal is no longer available. Starting point is 00:06:53 Number one, he didn't really like me. Starting point is 00:07:08 It's just expensive. Starting point is 00:07:20 But that was, you know, when Dana is wrong in an argument, and he's got this huge army that follows him, Starting point is 00:07:46 consistently, Starting point is 00:08:01 always been on you and that style Starting point is 00:08:22 He took t...

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Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #10012?

Ben Askren was the guest on JRE #10012. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #10012?

On Joe Rogan Experience #10012 with Ben Askren, topics include Mixed Martial Arts, Wrestling, Bellator MMA, and Fight Strategy.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #10012?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #10012 with Ben Askren is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.