JRE MMA Show #135 with Paul Felder

Episode Summary

Main Topics

Paul Felder joins Joe Rogan to discuss his remarkable transition from a professional MMA fighter to an amateur triathlete, detailing his rigorous training regimen, inspirations like Lionel Sanders, and the unique challenges of endurance sports after a combat career. The conversation delves deeply into the physical toll of MMA, specific career-defining injuries Felder sustained, and a comprehensive analysis of various elite fighters' styles, conditioning, and the strategic evolution of the sport. They also critically examine MMA judging, weight cutting practices, and the burgeoning global talent pool shaping the future of combat sports.

Key Discussion Points

• Paul Felder's Triathlon Journey: Felder shares his unexpected pivot to triathlons post-MMA, inspired by endurance athlete Lionel Sanders. He details his immersion into the "half Ironman" 70.3 distance, which includes a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, and a half marathon, often losing 10-15 pounds per race. The segment highlights his struggle with learning to swim, humorously recounting fears of sharks in Oceanside and alligators in Florida lakes during open water swims, emphasizing the mental and physical shift from fighting to endurance.
• MMA Retirement and Enduring Injuries: Felder retired at 37, having started pro MMA late at 28. He recounts numerous severe injuries that influenced his decision, including a collapsed lung from a James Vick knee (due to a burst bleb on his lung, which required surgery to staple his lung to his chest wall), a broken forearm from Mike Perry's spinning backfist, and rhabdomyolysis (peeing Coca-Cola) after his grueling fight with Dan Hooker. He also reflects on the detrimental impact of extreme weight cuts throughout his career, citing kidney issues.
• Fighter Analysis and Striking Evolution: The discussion features an in-depth breakdown of various fighters. Nick Diaz's legendary cardio and toughness (Paul Daley fight) are highlighted as game-changers. The impact of calf kicks, first regularly utilized by Benson Henderson and later popularized by Dustin Poirier against Conor McGregor, is extensively analyzed. Alex Pereira's unique, powerful, and long-limbed striking style against Israel Adesanya, and Charles Oliveira's transformation from a perceived "quitter" to a dominant champion through lifestyle changes, are also discussed.
• MMA Judging and Training Philosophies: Rogan and Felder express strong dissatisfaction with the current 10-point must system for MMA, deeming it insufficient for the complexity of mixed martial arts. They discuss proposals for more comprehensive scoring (like Doc Hamilton's half-point system) and emphasize the knowledge gap among non-martial artist judges. The conversation also explores evolving training methodologies, contrasting old-school "beat each other up" sparring with more scientific, individualized approaches, referencing Joaquin Buckley's preference for smaller gyms.
• The Global Talent Pool and Future of the Sport: The episode spotlights the emergence of elite fighters from Eastern Europe and Russia, particularly Dagestan and Chechnya, such as Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, and boxer Artur Beterbiev, noting their distinct toughness and intense training environments. They celebrate new talents like Shavkat Rakhmonov, Jack Della Maddalena, and the Bonfim brothers (Gabriel and Ismael) who display world-class, well-rounded skills from their debuts, signaling a new era of highly evolved MMA athletes.

Notable Moments

• Interesting Story/Anecdote: Felder's first professional fight for CFFC ended with him delivering a flying knee TKO that stopped the show because the opponent had to be stretchered out, and the promotion only had one ambulance. The event had to pause until the ambulance returned, a testament to the raw, early days of regional MMA.
• Surprising Fact/Revelation: Michael Bisping, despite fighting with a legitimately blind right eye (damaged in the Vitor Belfort fight), managed to win and defend a UFC world title by memorizing the eye chart during medical evaluations. This incredible feat underscores his unparalleled toughness and mental fortitude in the sport.
• Memorable Exchange: Felder vividly describes watching ASMR videos of people chugging ice-cold sodas during his most brutal weight cuts, particularly before his five-day notice fight against Rafael dos Anjos. This extreme form of self-torture, necessitated by severe dehydration, highlights the immense physical sacrifice fighters endure.

Key Takeaways

This episode offers a fascinating dual perspective: Paul Felder's personal journey of reinvention in triathlons provides a fresh lens on athletic discipline beyond fighting, while his insights as a veteran fighter and commentator dissect the nuances of elite MMA. Listeners gain a deeper understanding of the physical sacrifices in MMA, from brutal injuries and extreme weight cuts to the evolution of training and the critical flaws in judging. The conversation ultimately paints a compelling picture of MMA's rapid growth, the rise of a new generation of incredibly skilled global talent, and the constant push for innovation in combat sports.