Cory Sandhagen

Date: 2023-04-07 | Duration: 2h 47m

Episode Overview

Cory Sandhagen dives deep into the mental and physical demands of MMA, sharing how he cultivates a mindset that balances intense focus with sustainable energy management. He reflects on his evolution as a fighter, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful preparation, including detailed training plans and mental exercises like meditation and visualization. Sandhagen also highlights the role of his longtime coach Christian Allen in shaping his approach, describing their shared free-thinking philosophy and the value of adapting strategies mid-fight to stay unpredictable. The conversation explores the technical nuances of striking and movement, with Sandhagen breaking down how fighters read opponents’ patterns and use positioning to gain an edge. He discusses the complexity of judging MMA bouts, critiquing inconsistencies in scoring and refereeing, and the challenges of fairly evaluating damage and control in such a multifaceted sport. Beyond the cage, Sandhagen touches on the physical toll of fighting, injury management, and the balance between pushing limits and preserving longevity. The episode closes with reflections on the sport’s growth, the intensity of the bantamweight division, and the excitement of competing at the highest level in one of the most competitive eras of MMA.

About Cory Sandhagen

Cory Sandhagen is a professional mixed martial artist competing in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), known for his dynamic striking and innovative fighting style. With a professional record that showcases his skill and determination, Sandhagen has quickly risen through the ranks, earning notable victories against some of the top fighters in the division. His captivating performances and unique approach to combat, including his use of unorthodox techniques, have made him a fan favorite and a formidable contender in the octagon. Beyond his athletic prowess, Sandhagen's candid discussions about mental health and personal growth resonate with many, making him not just an athlete but an inspiring figure in the world of sports. For more about Cory, visit www.corysandhagen.com.

Key Moments

– Mixed Martial Arts
– Fight Mindset
– Striking Techniques
– Fight Strategy
– Fight Conditioning
– Fight Injuries
– Fight Judging
– MMA Training Camps
– Fight Psychology
– MMA Weight Divisions
– Fight Preparation
– Martial Arts History
– Combat Sports Rules
– Meditation and Mindfulness
– Fight Career Management
– Fight Refereeing
– Fight Analysis
– MMA Fighters
– Fight Nutrition
– Fight Recovery
0:00:20 – Discussion on memorable fight moments
0:02:26 – Exploring fight mindset development
0:05:43 – Balancing training intensity and sustainability
0:07:21 – Mastering timing to be 'that guy' in fights
0:10:21 – Accepting fear during competition
0:12:13 – Mixing up techniques to avoid predictability
0:14:36 – Challenges of intense eight-round training weeks
0:15:49 – Role of coach Christian Allen in career
0:19:07 – Importance of reliable striking combinations
0:20:54 – Reading opponent’s punches with eyes
0:23:31 – Growing acceptance of positional strategy in MMA
0:26:00 – Key factors influencing fight outcomes
0:27:21 – Maturation and thoughtfulness as a fighter
0:29:49 – Detailed 10-week training camp planning
0:32:36 – Using meditation and astral travel for focus
0:34:12 – Requirements to compete in top MMA divisions
0:36:49 – Early UFC fights and world-class competition
0:40:07 – Upcoming Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira fight
0:42:18 – Teenage years watching World Fighting Championships
0:44:39 – Recognizing opponent’s fatigue during fights
0:48:00 – Subjectivity and crowd influence in fight refereeing
0:50:23 – Complexity of MMA compared to boxing
0:55:48 – Analyzing controversial fight decisions
1:00:10 – Challenges casual fans face in judging fights
1:02:00 – Big tournament formats and televised events
1:03:41 – Disinterest in slap fighting as UFC content
1:05:16 – Strength and conditioning demands in MMA
1:07:18 – Grappling’s significance in MMA
1:10:20 – Maintaining fight intensity over time
1:16:00 – Reading opponent’s body language and focus
1:21:44 – Wrestling training insights with Banks
1:23:33 – Depth of talent in flyweight division
1:26:06 – Rehydration effects on fight performance
1:28:51 – Predictions for Izzy vs. Pereira fight
1:32:35 – Outdoor activities: fishing and bow hunting
1:37:00 – Recommendation of Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History
1:46:51 – Graham Hancock’s nanodiamond impact theory
1:54:55 – MMA as a proxy for war
2:00:43 – Managing stress and mental overload in fighting
2:03:08 – Unique pacing style during fight preparation
2:06:06 – Live fight atmosphere and spotlight effects
2:08:22 – Jose Aldo’s physical transformation for fights
2:11:43 – Debate on allowing headbutts in MMA
2:15:13 – San Chai’s unique fighting style
2:18:07 – Impact of injuries on fighter careers
2:20:54 – Discussion on rules for knees on the ground
2:26:28 – Fighting with impaired vision from cuts
2:29:28 – Early career setbacks and training with Andy Sauer
2:33:23 – Challenges in transitioning from fighter to coach
2:35:22 – Meditation and nature’s role in mental health
2:40:01 – Anticipation for Henry Cejudo vs. Aljamain Sterling
2:41:19 – Upcoming Volkanovski vs. Yair Rodriguez unification bout
2:43:04 – Progression and growth as a professional fighter

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 The Joe Rogan Experience. Starting point is 00:00:20 What a fight. Starting point is 00:00:42 Yeah, I'm getting pretty good. Starting point is 00:01:20 Where they'll sometimes talk about how you're almost having this out of body experience where you're almost like floating above the court or the field or whatever. Starting point is 00:02:12 was the person that was fighting. Starting point is 00:02:26 How did you get to that mindset? Starting point is 00:03:32 possibly could. Um, for like, and I know that those are like kind of corny words now, but, uh, Starting point is 00:04:16 of my career and I was like well what's got to change and I was like I gotta lose I gotta take Starting point is 00:05:06 times. Like when you're a young kid, like you have to be like going and hitting it hard. Like Starting point is 00:05:43 what's sustainable like what's Starting point is 00:06:16 Yeah, and I think that everything kind of has its purpose. Starting point is 00:07:21 You figured that part out you can be that guy whenever you want to be that guy. Starting point is 00:07:55 you figure out how to like do something way overdo it figure out where the cutoff is and be like okay Starting point is 00:08:29 No, that's okay. Starting point is 00:08:53 Like I can't really, like it's a lot of energy to be that up. Starting point is 00:09:36 god of the universe to you thinking that like you're about to go get slaughtered and in the back Starting point is 00:10:21 So just let the fear be there right now. Starting point is 00:11:01 was just someone else it happened into someone else and then just move on. Starting point is 00:11:46 fall into a pattern and you can kind of predict that pattern there was no pattern with you it Starting point is 00:12:13 You were mixing shit up so well. Starting point is 00:12:36 Like you never varied. Starting point is 00:12:58 Yeah, it was pretty awesome, man. Starting point is 00:13:28 It could take some time. Starting point is 00...

More Episodes

Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #10138?

Cory Sandhagen was the guest on JRE #10138. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #10138?

On Joe Rogan Experience #10138 with Cory Sandhagen, topics include Mixed Martial Arts, Fight Mindset, Striking Techniques, and Fight Strategy.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #10138?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #10138 with Cory Sandhagen is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.