Will Harris

Date: 2019-06-24 | Duration: 3h 8m

Episode Overview

Will Harris shares his journey from struggling with unstable jobs and personal challenges to becoming a prominent MMA documentary filmmaker. He recounts how purchasing his first camera transformed his life, allowing him to capture the raw, behind-the-scenes moments of fighters and fight camps. Harris discusses his early days filming in Las Vegas, the influence of gyms like Jaco and Hard Knocks 365, and how he gradually built his channel, “Anatomy of a Fighter,” into one of the largest MMA documentary platforms. He highlights the importance of storytelling in MMA, emphasizing the human side of fighters beyond just their wins and losses. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on Harris’s experiences filming Khabib Nurmagomedov and his team in Dagestan. He describes the cultural values, intense training regimens, and the close-knit community surrounding Khabib, offering rare insights into the fighter’s mindset and lifestyle. Harris also touches on the challenges of gaining trust from fighters, the complexities of fight week, and the dedication required to produce authentic content in a demanding sport. Throughout, he shares memorable anecdotes about fighters like Deontay Wilder, Amanda Nunes, and others, illustrating the grit and passion that define MMA’s evolving landscape.

About Will Harris

Will Harris is a renowned documentarian and the creative force behind the acclaimed YouTube series "Anatomy Of A Fighter," which offers an in-depth look at the lives and struggles of combat sports athletes. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, Will has captivated audiences by blending art and sport, shedding light on the personal journeys behind the fighters' public personas. His work has garnered a dedicated following, highlighting not only the physical challenges of combat sports but also the emotional and psychological aspects that define these athletes. Through his engaging documentaries, Will Harris has established himself as a leading voice in the world of sports media, making him a fascinating guest on the Joe Rogan Experience. For more about his projects, visit www.willharrisproductions.com.

Key Moments

– Mixed Martial Arts
– MMA Documentaries
– Fight Week
– MMA Fighters
– MMA Training Camps
– MMA Fight Analysis
– MMA Promotions
– MMA Culture
– MMA Injuries
– MMA Weight Cutting
– MMA Fight Week Logistics
– MMA Fight Commentary
– MMA Fight Preparation
– MMA Fight Week Fans
– MMA Fight Week Media
– MMA Fight Week Interviews
– MMA Fight Week Behind the Scenes
– MMA Fight Week Challenges
– MMA Fight Week Stories
– MMA Fight Week Experiences
0:00:00 – Introduction with Will Harris
0:03:51 – Discovering Khabib and MMA Documentary Beginnings
0:06:15 – Decision to Film in Las Vegas for MMA Access
0:09:06 – Life Changing Moment Buying First Camera
0:14:14 – Early Sports and Career Attempts
0:17:48 – Decision to Pursue Filmmaking Professionally
0:23:49 – Moving to Las Vegas and Immersing in MMA Scene
0:26:20 – Living in San Diego and Career Turning Point
0:28:02 – Quitting Traditional Jobs to Focus on Filmmaking
0:36:25 – Interviewing Fighters and Documenting MMA Stories
0:39:14 – Inspiration from Alan Watts and Philosophy
0:41:08 – Watching HBO's Banging in Little Rock Documentary
0:42:24 – Discussing Boxing Knockouts and Fight Records
0:44:09 – Concerns About Supplements and Fighter Health
0:53:03 – Exploring Cultural and Religious Aspects in Dagestan
0:56:37 – Experiences with Khabib and Life in Dagestan
1:00:39 – Challenges of Funding and Sustaining MMA Content
1:03:07 – Fan Reactions and Intense MMA Fight Week Atmosphere
1:10:40 – Anatomy of a Fighter Series and Filming Challenges
1:16:29 – Personal Preferences on Cities and Weather
1:18:52 – Challenges of Dating and Relationships
1:25:20 – Growth of MMA Documentary Channel
1:29:17 – Fighter Perspectives and Social Media Commentary
1:32:10 – Technical Analysis of Muay Thai and Kickboxing
1:36:18 – Mark Hunt's Career and K-1 Grand Prix
1:39:05 – Popularity of Asian Combat Sports
1:41:52 – Training Techniques and Exercise Equipment
1:44:26 – Anatomy of John Jones and Injury Recovery
1:48:38 – Mental Toughness of Fighters Like Henry Cejudo
1:50:50 – Dagestan Basketball and Khabib's Athletic Background
1:54:33 – Basketball Skills and Athleticism in MMA Fighters
1:56:51 – Francis Ngannou's Support and Fight Week Moments
2:00:21 – Boxing Fight Controversies and Judging
2:04:25 – Psychedelic Drugs as Tools for Altered Consciousness
2:09:00 – Rise of Radio Personalities and Internet Influence
2:12:57 – Injuries and Weight Cut Challenges in MMA
2:15:16 – Fighter Techniques and Fight Strategies
2:19:28 – Editing and Producing MMA Content
2:22:00 – Future Projects Featuring Female Fighters
2:25:54 – Ronda Rousey's Impact and Fighting Style
2:29:28 – Training Locations and Fighter Backgrounds
2:31:41 – Fighter Potential and Career Trajectories
2:35:00 – Fighter Movement and Fight Style Analysis
2:37:27 – Thoughts on Cross Promotion in Combat Sports
2:39:26 – Critiques of MMA Industry Practices
2:40:46 – Analysis of Fighter Performance and Strength
2:42:33 – Focus and Mentality of Top Fighters
2:44:13 – Boxing Career Comparisons and Fighter Styles
2:47:41 – Predictions for Upcoming Boxing Matches
2:49:33 – Referee Responsibilities and Fight Stoppages
2:51:55 – Judging Systems in Combat Sports
2:53:23 – Controversial Fight Decisions and Rules
2:55:01 – Fight Stoppage Debates and Fighter Safety
2:57:32 – Impact of Hard-Hitting Fighters in MMA
2:58:50 – Physical Condition of Fighters Post-Competition
3:00:26 – Challenges of Filming MMA Teams and Fighters
3:03:28 – Recap of Khabib Fight and MMA Moments
3:04:51 – Closing Remarks and Appreciation

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 And Will Harris, you're live. Starting point is 00:00:30 really awful cut a bunch of innocent people that were on the bus but they used it over and over and Starting point is 00:01:05 It's like, bro, this is worth one hundred thousand dollars. Starting point is 00:01:25 So I could not have to be doing GoFundMes and shit. Starting point is 00:01:50 Because at the time, we were like, whoa, Conor might go to jail. Starting point is 00:02:07 Because when you're building a channel or a series like that, you think, oh, this is my moment. Starting point is 00:02:26 Pull this mic up. Starting point is 00:02:41 I didn't know. Starting point is 00:03:11 heavyweight factory you were you do all those no I wasn't doing his phone videos what happened was Starting point is 00:03:51 just an hour-long documentary um i i never knew who a khabib was or nothing like i just didn't Starting point is 00:04:21 So that was almost two years ago. Starting point is 00:04:55 manager was at jaco the the footage and glenn just said listen we need this type of work in mma like Starting point is 00:05:26 and um yeah there it is right there but uh yeah that's how it happened and i just kept going to Starting point is 00:06:15 felt like oh if i'm gonna do a documentary i might as well be in vegas where a lot of fighters is Starting point is 00:06:51 And it's all based off reviews. Starting point is 00:07:10 I saw the gym one day, Jocko. Starting point is 00:07:22 I know the Black Zillions train there. Starting point is 00:08:05 They just went to the Final Four this year, if you know anything about basketball. Starting point is 00:08:30 Jesus. Starting point is 00:08:42 And she literally was just like, oh, you want to come to Walmart with me? Starting point is 00:09:06 Literally, my life changed as soon as I bought that camera. Starting point is 00:09:30 university history top four rebounds all-time leader and field goal percentage all-american Starting point is 00:10:01 Yea...

More Episodes

Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #10068?

Will Harris was the guest on JRE #10068. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #10068?

On Joe Rogan Experience #10068 with Will Harris, topics include Mixed Martial Arts, MMA Documentaries, Fight Week, and MMA Fighters.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #10068?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #10068 with Will Harris is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.