Joe Rogan is better placed than most to say what makes a truly great fighter.
The UFC legend has called countless fights and mingled with every MMA star imaginable since becoming a combat sports commentator in 1997.
Joe Rogan has a deep understanding of the sport and he’s not afraid to share his knowledge. The 57-year-old recently explained why being a referee is the second-hardest job in MMA.
The UFC fan favorite has also boldy branded Floyd Mayweather the best boxer ever. Now he’s shared he’s shared his theory on scary MMA fighters and highlighted the common trait that makes them truly fearless.
Joe Rogan believes ‘scariest MMA fighters’ had tough childhoods
On Wednesday, Rogan released the latest episode of his popular podcast, which featured a guest appearance from computer scientist and researcher in the field of artificial intelligence and robotics, Lex Fridman.
As he often does, the MMA icon went on a tangent about his favorite sport. Rogan ranted about his theory on ‘the scariest MMA fighters’, who he believes are molded by an upbringing that involves physical confrontation.
Whether it’s an abusive parent or a mean sibling, Rogan insists that many of the truly scary MMA fighters he’s encountered had a rough time growing up.
“The scariest MMA fighters have older brothers who used to beat them up,” Rogan said.
“They are ready to throw down all the time… The guys that I know who are the f***ing scariest they had people that beat them up when they were young.
“They just get used to fing used to going. They are just ready to go. They don’t have a fear of going, they wanna go. They wanna go all the time, ‘Let’s fing go!’ It’s the only way to survive.
“You better be hard or you are not going to make it. There’s no pillow to cry into. You’ve got to fight your brother, he’s four years older than you, and he might knock you out today. He knocked you out last week and laughed at you when you were on your back.”
Joe Rogan tells sad story of Rousimar Palhares
Joe Rogan previously marveled at Rousimar Palhares, who may just prove his point is correct.
At the peak of his career, the Brazilian submission specialist was one of the most feared fighters on the UFC roster due to his hulking physique and habit of holding onto leg locks for too long.
By 2013, Dana White was over his antics. Palhares was cut from the UFC for ‘unsportsmanlike conduct’ when he held onto a heel hook submission after his opponent, Mike Pierce, tapped out.
Rogan said about Palhares in 2019: “I think he came from a really really bad childhood.
“He’s talked about it in depth about growing up on a farm and being forced to eat pig slop when he was a little boy. The cut he has on his chest, he had to seal that up with glue. Crazy s***.
“I just think when he’s in coemption, he just doesn’t wanna let it go. They make him let him go. He tried. Even though he knew they was going to get mad him if he didn’t let go, he still didn’t quite let go.
“They were like, ‘Get the f*** outta here’. They kicked him out of the UFC.
“The first guy ever to get kicked out of the UFC for holding submissions.”
Now name the fighters who had good childhoods growing up.
Lesnar
I think Many if you think about it
I think GSP has a reasonably good up bringing?
But yes, you’re right. A lot of them had absolute shit up bringing.
Jens Pulvers dad pointed a loaded 12 gauge at him in a drunken stooper and lots of other atrocious shit.
He has a dark place bro
I keep thinking of more and more who seemed like they had decent child hoods. I was just thinking of the old trope that people get into fighting because of being poor and stuck in violent situations.
yeah you wouldn’t think guys like Urijah has a Bad childhood , but
Especially here in the US and Europe. BJJ/MMA training ain’t cheap and allowing a kid to train in exchange for a place to sleep would put you in jail.
I wonder about Hendo…
GSP is a phenomenal MMA athlete who is devoted to his craft, but is he a killer?
Nope.
PDX and Temecula Ca. Not exactly Mean Streets
Apple Valley as a kid. I think he just flat-out has a natural mean streak, especially when he’s engaged in fighting. Mark Coleman too…maybe with a little roid help back in the day.
Riverside Rough
My sister and me used to kick my brothers butt as a kid, he went on to have over 10 pro fights.
Rogan said only 50 untrained humans on the planet could beat him in a fight.
BJ Penn, all the Gracie’s
I’ll bet someone could throw a drink in his face and he would be like, I’m not impressed by you insult.