JRE MMA Show #161 with Khalil Rountree Jr.
JRE MMA Show #161 with Khalil Rountree Jr.
2Digest
This podcast episode features a conversation between Joe Rogan and Khalil Rountree, a professional mixed martial artist. The episode covers a wide range of topics, including Rountree's recent suspension due to a positive DHEA test, his thoughts on the Olympics and transgender athletes, and his training regimen. The conversation begins with a discussion about the term "squab" for young pigeons and how humans have modified animals through selective breeding. They then delve into the impact of processed information on our brains and the negative influence of social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Rountree shares his experience with a failed drug test, explaining how he unknowingly took a supplement containing DHEA. He discusses the process of informing the UFC and the subsequent suspension. He also expresses his frustration with the situation, emphasizing that he self-reported the substance and didn't intentionally use it. The conversation then shifts to the light heavyweight division and Rountree's desire to fight Alex Pereira, the current champion. He also reveals his plans to compete in the World Masters Jiu-Jitsu tournament in Vegas, despite Joe Rogan's concerns about potential injuries. Rountree and Rogan discuss the issue of weight cutting in MMA, with Rountree sharing his personal experience and advocating for potential solutions, including eliminating weight cutting altogether. They also explore the culture of weight cutting and its potential dangers. The episode concludes with Rountree discussing his training regimen, his approach to boxing, and his dream fight against Jiri Prochazka. He also shares his insights on Muay Thai training styles and the importance of stretching and flexibility in MMA.
Outlines
Pigeon as Red Meat and Animal Modification
The podcast starts with a casual conversation about eating pigeon in Europe and how it's considered red meat. The hosts discuss how humans have modified animals through selective breeding, leading to extreme variations like the "Carl" breed of dog.
YouTube Rabbit Holes and Neanderthal Theories
The hosts share their experiences with going down YouTube rabbit holes, particularly about Neanderthals and their potential appearance and behavior. They discuss theories about Neanderthals being more gorilla-like and possibly hunting humans.
Processed Information and Social Media's Impact
The conversation turns to the impact of processed information on our brains, comparing it to junk food. They discuss how social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram can negatively influence our thinking and create anxiety.
The Olympics as a Scam and Transgender Athletes
The hosts discuss their views on the Olympics, criticizing it as a scam where athletes are exploited for profit. They also delve into the controversy surrounding transgender athletes competing in women's sports, highlighting the biological differences and fairness concerns.
Biology vs. Ideology and the Importance of Fairness
The hosts emphasize the importance of biological factors over ideology in determining gender for sports competition. They argue that biological differences should be considered for fairness and that athletes should compete in categories based on their biological sex.
The Story of a Failed Drug Test
The podcast focuses on the host's experience with a failed drug test. He explains how he was unknowingly given a supplement containing DHEA, a banned substance, by a company he trusted. He details the process of informing the UFC and the subsequent suspension.
Khalil Rountree's Suspension and Future Plans
Khalil Rountree discusses his current suspension due to a positive DHEA test and the impact it has on his career. He expresses frustration with the situation, emphasizing that he self-reported the substance and didn't intentionally use it. He's eager to fight Jamal Hill but faces a potential delay until next year.
The Light Heavyweight Division and Compelling Challenges
Rountree talks about the light heavyweight division and the lack of compelling challenges for champion Alex Pereira. He believes he's a worthy contender and wants to fight Pereira, highlighting the potential for a great fight.
Khalil Rountree's Jiu-Jitsu Competition and Injury Concerns
Rountree reveals his plans to compete in the World Masters Jiu-Jitsu tournament in Vegas. Joe Rogan expresses concern about potential injuries, highlighting the risks involved in grappling competitions. Rountree acknowledges the risks but emphasizes his desire to test himself and connect with fans.
Khalil Rountree's Training and Injury History
Rountree discusses his training regimen and the impact of his knee injury on his Jiu-Jitsu training. He emphasizes the importance of staying active and shares his experience with a concussion and leg fracture sustained while skiing.
Weight Cutting in MMA and Potential Solutions
Rountree and Joe Rogan discuss the issue of weight cutting in MMA. Rountree shares his personal experience with weight cutting and expresses his belief that it's detrimental to fighters' health and performance. They explore potential solutions, including eliminating weight cutting altogether and implementing more effective hydration testing.
The Culture of Weight Cutting in MMA
Rountree and Joe Rogan discuss the ingrained culture of weight cutting in MMA. They acknowledge that the practice has been prevalent for a long time, making it difficult to change. They highlight the potential dangers of weight cutting, including kidney problems, organ shutdown, and even death.
Hydration and Pre-Fight Preparation
Khalil Rountree discusses his pre-fight hydration routine and the importance of staying hydrated. He also mentions his company's new drink, Elk Blood Spicy Cherry, which he developed with his friend Cam.
UFC Changes: Hydration, Pay Structure, and Gloves
Khalil Rountree shares his thoughts on potential changes the UFC could make, including improving hydration protocols, revising the pay structure, and redesigning gloves to prevent eye pokes.
New UFC Gloves and Eye Poke Prevention
Khalil Rountree discusses the new UFC gloves he's been testing, highlighting the added padding and curvature towards the fingers. He believes covering the fingers would significantly reduce eye pokes, a major concern in MMA.
The Need for Coaches in Corner During Injuries
Khalil Rountree advocates for having coaches present in fighters' corners during injury checks, arguing that coaches can provide valuable insights and potentially prevent fighters from continuing when they shouldn't.
Athletic Commissions and Weight Cuts
Khalil Rountree discusses the varying standards of athletic commissions across different states, particularly highlighting New York's stricter approach to weight cuts and its history of corruption.
UFC Fighters and Outside Combat Sports
Khalil Rountree discusses the pros and cons of UFC fighters participating in other combat sports like boxing or Muay Thai, emphasizing the potential risks for high-profile fighters and the importance of staying active.
Conor McGregor's Legacy and Fighting Style
Khalil Rountree reflects on Conor McGregor's fighting style and his impact on the sport, expressing his admiration for McGregor's skills and his hope to see him fight again.
Khalil Rountree's Dream Fight and Motivation
Khalil Rountree reveals his dream fight against Jiri Prochazka, expressing his admiration for Prochazka's dominance and his desire to put on a memorable fight against him.
Glory Kickboxing and Cedric Dumit
Khalil Rountree discusses the high level of competition in Glory Kickboxing, sharing his experience training with Cedric Dumit in Belgium and highlighting the intensity and skill of the fighters.
Muay Thai Training Styles: Thailand vs. Western
Khalil Rountree compares Muay Thai training styles in Thailand and the West, emphasizing the focus on power and technique in Thailand and the more playful, skill-based approach in the West.
Khalil Rountree's Muay Thai Training Routine
Khalil Rountree details his Muay Thai training routine, emphasizing the importance of relaxation and technique, and highlighting his preference for a more instinctual approach to pad work.
Stretching and Flexibility in MMA
Khalil Rountree discusses the importance of stretching and flexibility in MMA, sharing his own extensive stretching routine and highlighting the limitations of fighters who lack flexibility.
The Importance of Flexibility in Rubber Guard
Khalil Rountree emphasizes the importance of flexibility in executing rubber guard, sharing an anecdote about a world-class fighter who struggled with the technique due to lack of flexibility.
Khalil Rountree's Workout Routine and Back Injury
Khalil Rountree describes his Saturday workout routine, which includes a boot camp-style circuit and an assault bike session. He shares an anecdote about a back injury he sustained during a workout, highlighting the importance of proper technique.
Khalil Rountree's New Technique: Blending Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu
Khalil Rountree discusses a new technique he's been developing that blends Muay Thai concepts with Jiu-Jitsu, highlighting the influence of his training with a black belt under Damian Maia.
Boxing and MMA Boxing
Khalil Rountree discusses his approach to boxing, explaining why he prefers MMA boxing over traditional boxing and his search for a boxing trainer who understands his style.
Keywords
Squab
Squab refers to the young of pigeons or doves, typically less than four weeks old. It is considered a delicacy in some cultures and is known for its tender meat.
DHEA
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone naturally produced by the adrenal glands. It's often marketed as a supplement for anti-aging and performance enhancement, but its effectiveness is debated. In sports, DHEA is considered a banned substance due to its potential performance-enhancing effects.
Neanderthal
Neanderthals were an extinct species of human that lived in Europe and Asia. They are known for their distinctive brow ridges and larger brains than modern humans. There is ongoing debate about their appearance, behavior, and relationship with modern humans.
TikTok
TikTok is a social media platform where users create and share short videos. It has become increasingly popular, particularly among younger generations. TikTok's algorithm is known for its ability to personalize content and keep users engaged.
Instagram is a social media platform where users share photos and videos. It is known for its visual focus and its ability to connect users with brands and influencers. Instagram's algorithm is designed to show users content that they are likely to be interested in.
Olympics
The Olympic Games are a major international sporting event held every four years. They feature athletes from around the world competing in various disciplines. The Olympics are often seen as a symbol of international cooperation and athletic excellence.
Transgender
Transgender refers to individuals whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. Transgender people may identify as male, female, non-binary, or other gender identities.
UFC
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is a mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company. It is the largest MMA organization in the world and is known for its high-profile events and fighters.
Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art and combat sport that focuses on grappling and ground fighting. It emphasizes leverage, technique, and submission holds to overcome larger and stronger opponents.
Q&A
What is squab and why is it considered a delicacy?
Squab is the young of pigeons or doves, typically less than four weeks old. It is considered a delicacy in some cultures due to its tender meat and unique flavor.
What is DHEA and why is it banned in sports?
DHEA is a hormone naturally produced by the body. It is often marketed as a supplement for various health benefits, but its effectiveness is debated. In sports, DHEA is banned as a potential performance enhancer, although its actual performance-enhancing effects are questionable.
What are some of the theories about Neanderthals and their appearance and behavior?
Some theories suggest that Neanderthals were more gorilla-like in appearance, covered in hair, and possibly able to see in the dark. They are also theorized to have been more violent and may have even hunted humans.
How do social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram impact our thinking and mental well-being?
Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram can negatively influence our thinking by providing a constant stream of processed information, similar to junk food for the brain. This can lead to anxiety and a distorted view of reality.
What are the main criticisms of the Olympics and how do they affect athletes?
The Olympics are criticized for being a scam where athletes are exploited for profit. The organizers make billions of dollars from television revenue and advertising, but athletes receive little compensation. This creates a system where athletes are forced to compete for glory rather than financial reward.
Why is the inclusion of transgender athletes in women's sports controversial?
The inclusion of transgender athletes in women's sports is controversial due to the biological differences between men and women. Men typically have greater muscle mass, bone density, and testosterone levels, which can give them a significant advantage in athletic competition. This raises concerns about fairness and the potential for men to dominate women's sports.
What is the host's experience with a failed drug test and how did the UFC handle it?
The host unknowingly took a supplement containing DHEA, a banned substance, provided by a company he trusted. He immediately informed the UFC and was given a two-month suspension. The UFC expedited his drug test and worked with him to resolve the situation.
What is Khalil Rountree's current situation regarding his suspension?
Rountree is currently suspended due to a positive DHEA test. He self-reported the substance and is facing a potential nine-month suspension, which could delay his return to fighting until next year.
What are Khalil Rountree's future fighting goals?
Rountree is eager to fight Jamal Hill and ultimately wants to fight Alex Pereira, the current light heavyweight champion. He believes he's a worthy contender and is confident in his ability to challenge for the title.
Show Notes
Joe sits down with Khalil Rountree Jr., a professional mixed martial artist competing in the Light Heavyweight division of the UFC.
www.ufc.com/athlete/khalil-rountree-jr
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