JRE MMA Show #185 with Ethyn Ewing
In a Nutshell
Ethyn Ewing's core philosophy centers on technical precision over brawling, prioritizing longevity through intelligent fighting that emphasizes hitting without getting hit. He advocates for a balanced approach combining wrestling foundations with boxing fundamentals, while stressing the importance of smart weight cutting, injury prevention, and mental composure under pressure. The conversation highlights how elite fighters like Ilia Topuria succeed by combining knockout power with exceptional technique and distance management, contrasting this with fighters who rely solely on physical gifts or excessive activity.
These notes were generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies.
Ethyn Ewing explains his "Professor Finesser" nickname originated from his design line featuring a cross guard symbol. The moniker represents a unique identity that aligns with his fight philosophy, emphasizing finesse over brawling.
Ewing's UFC debut came on two days' notice against Malcolm Wellmaker, a highly hyped featherweight known for vicious knockout performances on the Contender Series. Wellmaker had three notable knockouts on the series, including against Chris Moutino. Despite normally competing at bantamweight, Ewing fought above his weight class against this dangerous striker.
Ewing takes pride in fighting with technical precision rather than engaging in brawls. He believes champions don't take return fire and prioritizes hitting without getting hit. This approach stems from his focus on boxing fundamentals and technical striking, viewing face-first brawling as unsustainable for longevity in the sport.
Joe Rogan and Ewing discuss how brawling styles may generate crowd excitement but lead to shorter careers and potential long-term damage. Fighters who engage in high-volume striking exchanges often fight past their prime because no one stops them, and only close friends may suggest retirement. The organization has historically allowed fighters to continue too long.
Ewing prefers the technical aspect of controlling fights from start to finish, comparing chaotic brawling to an "educated street brawl" rather than true martial arts. He emphasizes the pursuit of perfection in striking—landing damage while cutting angles, moving the head, and maintaining distance without absorbing punishment.
Ewing's approach is characterized as intelligent fighting that involves constant movement, counters, and distance management. Rogan notes this requires significant thinking and mental processing, with fighters constantly overloading opponents' nervous systems through strategic positioning and feints.
Ewing transitioned from an Iowa-style wrestling background focused on relentless pressure and breaking opponents physically. He initially struggled with incorporating finesse and technical setup, being too focused on physical dominance. Over time, he refined this by pulling back from excessive physicality while striking.
Ewing describes his evolution: initially too Iowa-style without finesse, then shifting too far toward pure skill and dance-like movement, avoiding physical exchanges. He now seeks the middle ground, allowing his ego to diminish in training and engaging physically when necessary while maintaining technical precision.
Rogan emphasizes that MMA fighters show dramatic improvement over four to five years with good management and training, unlike many other sports where athletes peak upon reaching professional levels. Training serves learning rather than winning every session, requiring fighters to address weaknesses by forcing themselves into uncomfortable situations.
Ewing discusses training at CSW with Eric Paulson alongside the Rola brothers (likely referring to the Ruotolo brothers), noting the importance of engaging with superior grapplers despite preferring to avoid such positions. This forces improvement in weaker areas. The brothers excel in chaotic scrambles and athletic movements, including unconventional takedown setups.
The conversation addresses PED usage in jiu-jitsu, noting that many elite competitors use substances legally in untested promotions like Abu Dhabi. Gordon Ryan has publicly discussed this reality, arguing that if competitors are enhanced, natural athletes operate at a disadvantage. Technical skill can partially offset size and strength advantages.
One-punch knockout power can compensate for technical deficiencies, as any mistakes get erased by a single shot. However, the most dangerous fighters combine knockout power with technical development. Pure power without fundamentals represents an incomplete skill set.
Natural talent and power can hinder development when fighters rely on physical gifts rather than fundamentals. Deontay Wilder exemplifies this—possessing extraordinary one-punch knockout ability but potentially limited by not developing comprehensive boxing skills that could complement his power.
Power isn't solely responsible for knockouts; unseen shots often cause knockouts regardless of raw power. Max Holloway represents fighters who accumulate damage leading to finishes rather than relying on single-punch power. Speed and power can create cardio challenges due to the energy required for explosive movements.
Ewing questions perspectives on Conor McGregor's cardio, noting McGregor showed good cardio management at 145 pounds but appeared to decline after moving up in weight. Multiple factors including training regimens, weight cutting, diet, and discipline affect cardio performance beyond simple physical capacity.
Beyond physical conditioning, fight performance depends on remaining calm and collected. The transcript cuts off mid-sentence while discussing how emotional control complements cardiovascular fitness in determining fight outcomes.
Real tension and trying to kill opponents leads to burning out quickly. Fast and snappy movements produce just as much or more power while being more efficient with energy expenditure.
Jose Aldo was the hammer when on top, wrecking everybody with athleticism and speed, featuring some of the best leg kicks seen. The Uriah Faber fight demonstrated Aldo's leg kicks - Faber was tough enough to absorb punishment that would stop most fighters, continuing until the final seconds despite being behind on scorecards. Aldo was rarely overwhelmed in fights.
Max excels at knowing when to hit the gas and when to slowly ramp up pressure, recognizing when opponents start to fade. He is a cardio machine with great discipline and preparation from his Hawaii camp. In the fifth round of chaotic wars, he maintains the same pace as the first round.
Experience involves knowing what your body can do, when to hit the gas, when to back off, when to move, when not to, and recognizing opponent fatigue through signs like open mouths and sloppier movement. Knowing when to rest is crucial - training involves short bursts with sprints followed by jogging to maintain movement, since fighters never completely rest.
Holloway's high output, high volume style has conditioned his body to perform at that level normally.
McGregor's decision to fight Holloway in his first fight back after five years off was surprising given Holloway's constant competition against elite fighters and reputation for never fading.
Ilia caught Max when he moved down from 155 to 145, which was a mistake. Holloway had gotten significantly bigger to fight Justin Gaethje at 155, then starved himself to make 145. His body was weakened compared to when he maintained 145 consistently.
Topuria demonstrates exceptional technique with smoothness, efficiency, and one-punch knockout power. His knockout of Charles Oliveira at 155 was remarkable given Oliveira's size at that weight.
When facing off with Gaethje, Topuria appeared smaller yet possesses power to wreck much larger opponents. His skill set combined with punching power is exceptional.
Topuria's calm, cool, collected demeanor is notable. Comparisons between Muay Thai boxing and MMA reveal that wrestlers can disrupt strikers' focus through takedown threats, causing striking to deteriorate when worrying about being taken down and smothered.
Boxing features feeling-out rounds with data collection, trap setting, and jab work. MMA shows less of this approach. Distance control appears superior in boxing, along with feint setups and jab work. Many MMA fighters rely on big overhand rights without using jabs effectively.
Despite being shorter, Topuria excels at sitting back on his back foot, throwing jabs, and understanding distance control to get inside where his power becomes effective.
Topuria suffered two fractured orbitals against Gaethje, with the fight stopped between rounds. Recovery requires extra time for injuries to heal before considering sparring again. The fight occurred in June, with the conversation happening August 31st, meaning several months had passed but six months may be needed before sparring.
Undefeated fighters who feel invincible can be affected when that first loss occurs, as with Jose Aldo who never returned to being untouchable. Mental indestructibility is crucial - believing one fight doesn't change anything and readiness to compete again.
Only fighters themselves know the true extent of damage taken. Recovery from significant fights requires careful management, as many great fighters have returned too soon.
Volkanovski, arguably the greatest featherweight, took a short-notice fight with Islam in a rematch, got head-kicked and KO'd, then fought Topuria four months later - a dangerous timeline. He shouldn't have taken the Islam fight while out of training camp, appearing out of shape.
There's a significant difference between two-to-three month fight camps with multiple daily practices, controlled diet, and focused mentality versus casual training outside of camp preparation.
Ewing fought November 7th for the A1 Combat title the weekend before facing Wellmaker. He maintained fight camp mentality year-round despite opponent pullouts. Even with a week off eating freely and minimal training, he had been in fight camp all year.
Fighting the weekend before facing Wellmaker provided cage experience and comfort with the environment. Quick turnarounds after fights maintain familiarity with cutting weight, warming up, and fight energy.
More activity creates greater comfort with the experience as long as injuries are avoided. Israel Adesanya defended his title three times in one year when champion, more than the middleweight title has seen since his departure.
Marlon Moraes fought constantly for years, potentially doing himself a disservice through excessive activity. Fighters must determine their optimal fight frequency personally rather than relying on coaches' assessments.
Boxing approaches fighting as business - Floyd Mayweather controlled cage setup, glove selection, and opponent timing. MMA fighters tend toward toughness over business considerations, though building teams that advise against fighting injured protects records.
MMA presents more injury opportunities than boxing due to additional weapons and grappling positions. Ewing injured his meniscus during light sparring with Callum Bisping when attempting a butterfly guard position. He no longer spars with heavyweights as a bantamweight.
Sparring should only occur with partners within 10 pounds of fighting weight. Ewing learned this through experience after the meniscus injury.
The meniscus injury occurred during preparation for the April Estaban fight, affecting grappling until the final month. A simple movement caused the injury rather than intense sparring.
MMA requires carrying a business and smart mindset similar to boxing's approach, though exact functions differ between sports.
UFC sometimes provides short-notice opportunities like the Wellmaker fight requiring immediate decisions despite preferring two months of preparation.
Twenty years ago, fighters like Ewing would have appeared alien due to the sport's growth. Elite striking at current levels wasn't seen until Anderson Silva emerged.
Silva was a pioneer who created techniques rather than copying others. His famous elbow knockout was practiced at home against his wife's held pillows after his coach told him to stop attempting it. He wanted to prove the coach wrong and successfully executed the technique in competition.
Lee Murray was a British fighter who became notorious for being involved in the biggest heist in UK history. He was considered an elite fighter and a legitimate criminal, which created a unique aura and persona around him. Murray had crazy power and was viewed as a vicious, bad dude that everybody was scared of. He won a UFC fight against Jorge Rivera by triangle choke.
Anderson Silva demolished Murray with superior technique, particularly leg kicks. Anderson's Muay Thai was at an artistic level that made elite fighters look brand new in the cage. He won by knockout with a front kick to the face against Victor Belfort - the first time anyone had ever accomplished this in the UFC.
The front kick to the face wasn't initially seen as a viable option by many fighters. Eddie Bravo once asked about the technique while working with Bob dummies, and the response was that it was better to the body. Anderson Silva changed this perception entirely, and now many fighters use front kicks to the face because they're difficult to see coming when thrown straight up the middle.
A preferred variation involves putting weight on the back leg and throwing the front kick when the opponent thinks they're in range. The technique involves leaning forward, then stepping back and throwing the kick straight up the middle when they open up to throw something.
The calf kick is executed by getting closer than typical low kick range, picking up the front leg and stabbing it with a Dutch-style soccer kick motion rather than pivoting. The shin bone connects with the soft calf muscle. The technique requires being light on the front leg and closing distance slightly to execute properly.
Defense against calf kicks remains underdeveloped in MMA. Many fighters willingly eat these kicks rather than picking the leg up and pulling it back slightly to avoid clean contact. With shin guards, fighters can spar and take calf kicks all day, but without protection, even one clean calf kick changes the entire fight dynamic.
Yuki Yoza is considered one of the best examples of technical calf kicking. He throws deliberate, fast kicks with no tell or pivot, incorporating them into every combination - jabbing then inside low kicking, throwing left hooks then outside low kicking. He constantly takes out his opponent's base from all angles.
Yoza also uses a technique where he throws a half-speed kick, holds it, and then trips his opponent by hooking their leg - a move that drew criticism in kickboxing circles.
Jonathan Haggerty defeated Yuki Yoza by implementing constant stance switches, constant movement, and throwing knees to the body while jabbing. This approach prevented Yoza from setting up his calf kicks. Haggerty took leg kicks but landed significantly more strikes overall, providing a blueprint for fighting elite strikers like Yoza.
ONE Championship is recognized for having the absolute best strikers in pure striking. Azad Maksumov is highlighted as a favorite fighter due to his exceptional striking ability. Dagestani fighters possess elite Muay Thai skills, which is notable given their wrestling background. Amru Magomedov fights in a similar style to Azad Maksumov - long, tall striker with slick striking and wicked kicks.
Zabit Magomedsharipov was among the first Dagestani fighters to demonstrate that these wrestlers also possess exceptional striking, throwing 360-degree roundhouse kicks and wheel kicks. He had practiced San Shou before wrestling.
Long, tall fighters have significant advantages in MMA because they can strike opponents from distances where shorter fighters cannot reach them. This reach advantage extends to submissions like triangles, guillotines, and rear naked chokes. Southpaw stance amplifies this advantage by allowing strikes from even greater distances.
Conversely, shorter fighters can negate reach advantages by getting inside, though longer fighters with efficient Muay Thai clinch work can maintain distance effectively.
Mike Tyson, at 5'11" and 215-220 pounds in his prime, is considered among the greatest heavyweights alongside Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, and Lennox Lewis. His greatest asset wasn't physicality but elusiveness - his ability to get inside and work effectively. His constant movement and bobbing and weaving overwhelmed taller opponents who were forced to deal with what was described as a "Wolverine running towards them."
Fighting is described as an art form and chess match rather than checkers, requiring intricate setup and multiple moves. True appreciation comes from fellow practitioners who understand the technical aspects, not from casual fans. Elite fighters value recognition from other high-level practitioners more than crowd approval.
Even experienced observers struggle to understand why fighters don't execute obvious techniques because they aren't accounting for the cage environment, crowd pressure, fatigue, injuries, and the mental capacity required to think and act under pressure.
Losing the first two professional fights proved beneficial for personal development. Before these losses, there was a lack of commitment to a fighter's lifestyle. After the losses came a realization that significant changes were needed both inside and outside of fighting.
The transformation involved erasing negatives and filling life with positives, leading to a current 10-fight win streak. The experience of loss grounded the fighter and created more dramatic positive change than might have occurred without those setbacks.
The meniscus injury occurred during college wrestling at Bristol, Tennessee, after tearing it in a dual meet. The coach's response was to ignore the injury and tell the wrestler to "suck it up," leading to the decision not to return to the program.
Coming from Southern California to Bristol, Tennessee created culture shock. Combined with being away from home for the first time and dealing with injury, this led to the first experiences with partying, drinking, and smoking - activities that had been avoided during a strict, religious upbringing focused solely on wrestling.
The period following the second professional loss still wasn't characterized by full discipline as an athlete. Significant personal growth occurred through guidance from others, leading to the realization that experience and hardship are the best teachers. The knee injury was initially processed as abandonment by a higher power rather than as a challenge to overcome.
Having grown his relationship with God and studied to understand that hardships build character and test faith, Ethan Ewing now sees that past struggles weren't as devastating as they once seemed. He learned valuable lessons from falling farther down the path. Joe Rogan agrees that failing is an excellent teacher across all aspects of life, especially for young people who have an idealized self-image that needs to be knocked down so they can rebuild with a clearer understanding of their capabilities and the reality of life's ups and downs.
Ethan discusses his knee issues stemming from a lateral meniscus injury on his right leg. After undergoing arthroscopic surgery where they shaved the damaged portion, he now experiences ongoing problems with the knee, particularly during inversion movements like triangle chokes. The meniscus rolls over and catches, requiring him to straighten his leg and pop it back into place. He notes the condition has improved over time but still causes issues.
His second professional fight resulted in a severe knee injury from an ankle lock attempt. The knee hyperextended eight times during the exchange, affecting the same lateral meniscus area. Despite the injury, he continued fighting until the opponent switched to a heel hook, causing his ankle to pop twice before he tapped. He never got an MRI on this second injury because by the time an appointment was available, he was already moving and exercising on it.
Modern medical opinion has shifted against meniscus surgery, with studies showing that rehabilitation produces better outcomes than surgical intervention. Ethan regrets having the scope done on his first knee injury, noting the contrast with his second knee injury that received no surgical treatment and has never caused problems. The scoped knee still bothers him daily, feeling like missing padding on one side.
He describes experiencing a bucket handle meniscus tear that would cause his leg to lock in jiu-jitsu, requiring him to push it back into place. This was extremely painful and could take up to a day to resolve, accompanied by significant swelling.
Ethan wishes stem cell treatments had been available when he sustained his original injury. He recommends knees-over-toes exercises, stationary bike cycling at low resistance for extended periods, and range of motion work to strengthen tendons and ligaments without loading. These approaches promote blood flow and strengthening without the impact of weight-bearing exercises.
Joe suggests controlled backward walking on a treadmill or with a sled as another effective exercise. This involves facing away from the treadmill screen, holding the bars, and pushing backward with the legs. This strengthens the knees and improves circulation without requiring heavy weights.
Joe describes the Poliquin step-down exercise, which involves lowering yourself from an elevated position (either an incline board or step) by dropping one foot while controlling the descent. This simple movement, going only about 10 inches, is excellent for knee strengthening and stability.
Another recommended exercise uses a resistance band attached in front of the body while in a lunge position with the knee over the toe. The resistance pulls forward while the person extends the leg, effectively targeting knee stability and strength.
The conversation shifts to discussing BJ Penn's use of bands for flexibility and developing strength from unusual positions. Rafael dos Anjos trained with Nick Kersan, who studied under Marv Marinovich. Marinovich's controversial approach focused on creating an exceptional gas tank through plyometrics rather than traditional fight training, believing that superior conditioning would allow fighters to execute their existing skills more effectively.
Ethan emphasizes that wrestling provides the best foundation for MMA because it builds an unstoppable cardio base and mental toughness. Wrestling training involves constant grinding with no opportunities for rest, developing the ability to maintain high-intensity effort throughout a fight. He notes that wrestlers entering the UFC have a significant advantage because they've already endured the hardest training environment possible.
The mental toughness developed through wrestling comes from having to battle for positions daily, enduring twice-daily practices, and maintaining wrestling stances while being snapped on and pushed to limits. This creates a foundation that allows athletes to excel in striking and jiu-jitsu once they develop those skills.
Ethan recommends getting a wrestling background combined with boxing as the fundamental core skills for MMA success. With these two bases established, athletes can develop the remaining skills like checking kicks and defensive techniques. He also suggests point karate as valuable training, noting how fighters like Michael Venom Page and Kevin Holland demonstrate the effectiveness of karate-style movement that makes them difficult to hit.
The discussion covers the effectiveness of karate-style fighters, with Wonderboy mentioned as another prime example. Ethan expresses interest in developing his own karate-style kicking, noting his existing flexibility and ability to throw kicks with speed and power. He mentions Savate as another interesting kicking style, though he's not familiar with the toe-striking techniques used by fighters like Yoel Romero.
The conversation covers the risks of modern MMA kicking techniques that involve bringing the toes up to strike. Joe mentions Gregory Rodriguez's toe injury sustained while fighting, showing a picture of the damage. The injury occurred from repeated impact, forcing Rodriguez to continue fighting despite the broken toes.
Ethan shares his own experience with a wrestling camp injury where his pinky toe was bent sideways after being kicked in the front yard. He also mentions having similar finger injuries from training at Westside Barbell.
The discussion moves to weight cutting strategies. Ethan weighs 135 pounds for competition but can reach 175-178 pounds when not in camp. During his most recent cut, he started at 150 pounds and successfully made weight by losing 11 pounds in one night. He notes that experience has made him more efficient at the process.
He emphasizes the importance of not overheating during weight cuts, preferring lower sauna temperatures around 150 degrees rather than 180-190 degrees. Using emergency blankets and cooling periods between sessions helps manage body temperature, which he considers more critical than dehydration since overheating can end a weight cut entirely.
Ethan advocates for working smarter rather than harder during weight cuts. After two months of intense training leading up to a fight, the weight cut should be made as manageable as possible. He learned to remove gear, apply ice, and cool his body temperature between sauna sessions rather than maintaining constant heat, which significantly improved his recovery and overall condition for fight day.
Moses Itama was a 21-year-old heavyweight prospect considered the most promising in the division in over a decade, with people discussing his potential to break Mike Tyson's record as the youngest heavyweight champion. In his title fight against Croatian fighter Philip Herrosovich, Itama looked phenomenal in the early rounds with exceptional speed, elite technique, and beautiful hand speed, but had never been tested in deep water before. All previous fights had ended in stoppages, and he had never experienced real decision wins against big, durable opponents.
As the fight progressed into the eighth round, Itama began to fade visibly and started emptying his gas tank trying to finish the fight rather than boxing and outpointing his opponent. This inexperience led to exhaustion, and Herrosovich came back to finish him in a weird way that appeared to be due to exhaustion, with Itama stumbling over himself.
Before the fight, during table talk, Herrosovich quoted Rocky by saying "It's not about how many times you can get hit or you can hit somebody, it's about how many times you can get hit and keep coming forward." Itama responded that this was the stupidest thing he had ever heard, questioning why someone would base their fighting style on how many times they could get hit. The fight outcome demonstrated the validity of Herrosovich's approach, showing that toughness and willingness can overcome technical superiority.
The discussion emphasized that fighting is a game of hit and don't get hit, but scenarios exist where pure toughness and willingness prevail. Itama's highlight reel showed stunning performances with incredible hand speed and knockout power, but he hadn't been tested against a big, durable heavyweight with experience.
Boxing develops prospects through a system of building them up with easier fights before matching them against substantial opponents. Itama's previous fights were all TKOs against less experienced competition, and his first real test came against Dillian White, followed by Germaine Franklin. Every fight on his record showed TKO victories, but he wasn't being tested against durable, experienced heavyweights who could take shots.
At 21 years old, Itama still has potential to become a world champion despite this first loss. The system feeds prospects, builds them up, solidifies them, and then matches them against real competition.
MMA fighters are more willing to step in on short notice and put their careers at risk, including opportunities to continue fight streaks. This difference stems partly from necessity - the UFC operates differently than boxing promotions. In boxing, fighters would be hesitant to accept fights with limited preparation, but MMA fighters are always down for such opportunities.
The UFC represents the pinnacle for MMA fighters, creating a different dynamic than boxing where multiple promotions exist. Boxers don't care about promoters - they care about the fighters themselves. In the UFC, getting the call means being in the big leagues.
Boxing involves many smart people working as managers and trainers to build prospects into contenders and champions. The UFC operates as a single organization managing all weight classes and prospects, scheduling fight cards around predetermined dates and locations rather than around specific fights.
In boxing, if Canelo Alvarez wants to fight on September 12th, the card is built around that date. In the UFC, they announce events like coming to Salt Lake City on October 3rd and then fill the card with available fighters. This represents a fundamentally different business model.
Currently reading "Hagakure," which follows Yamamoto, a warrior who served a leader that passed away. The book explores how a warrior should live outside of fighting, including daily activities and the bushido lifestyle during a time when samurai were no longer necessary. The text provides multiple perspectives from different samurai warriors who fought in battles, showing conflicting advice that allows readers to apply what works best.
The goal is to continuously learn through reading rather than just watching YouTube content about fighting, guns, hiking, camping, hunting, or spearfishing. There's recognition that watching content provides a false sense of experience without actual action.
YouTube is distinguished from social media as a learning tool rather than time-wasting platform. Watching ancient history, professional pool matches, or spearfishing videos feels beneficial compared to Instagram or Twitter, which create feelings of doing something unproductive.
Short-form media is killing attention spans by constantly firing dopamine responses. The concern is that watching spearfishing videos might provide a false sense of accomplishment without actually getting in the water and participating in the activity.
Spear fishing involves shore diving at locations like Chrono Mar Beach and hidden beaches with structure and fish populations. Laguna offers kelp forests for shore diving. Activities include grabbing lobster during season and accessing honey holes by hand. The appeal lies in the primitive aspects and skill requirements, similar to bow hunting versus rifle hunting.
The activity requires selecting specific fish to take or release, involving active decision-making rather than passive fishing. The primitive nature appeals more than technological approaches to hunting.
Bow hunting requires getting within 30 yards while managing scent and performing proper stalking techniques. This contrasts with rifle hunting where shots can be taken from 500 yards without the animal ever detecting the hunter's presence. The skill set involved makes bow hunting more appealing than relying on technological advantages.
Rifle hunting is acknowledged as the best way to acquire meat efficiently, but bow hunting provides a completely different feeling due to increased difficulty and required practice. Missing a bow shot doesn't carry the same consequences as missing with a rifle, and unsuccessful hunts still provide valuable nature experiences.
California has a giant invasive pig population that can be hunted year-round. These pigs destroy habitats, consume food sources, and damage geography. The invasive species issue makes pig hunting particularly relevant in California.
Texas has millions of wild pigs that breed multiple times per year, sometimes producing three litters annually. Every ranch in certain areas is infested with pigs that must be actively hunted. Some ranches bring in Navy Seals for pig control operations, using the hunting as training exercises.
Perplexity data indicates 35 states have documented feral swine presence, though not all states have large self-sustaining populations. Some states only have occasional sightings or small localized groups. States with farms face the biggest problems, particularly in the southwest including Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and South Carolina.
Feral pigs cause billions of dollars in annual crop damage. The animals are extremely smart, durable, and can reach weights up to 1,000 pounds. Domestic pigs that escape transform into feral pigs within approximately six weeks, developing longer noses, thicker fur, and growing tusks as they adapt to wild conditions.
Domestic pigs can become feral in behavior within weeks to months of escaping, becoming wary of people, nocturnal, mobile, and able to forage and survive without care. These changes are shaped by both environment and multi-generational selection, not an instant biological reversal. Adult pigs can become tougher, leaner, hairier, and more elusive as conditions change, but major inherited traits become more common when animals survive and breed, passing on advantageous variance over successive litters.
The largest wild hog reported in Texas weighed 790 pounds, captured near Deion in Comanche County in January 2015, weighed on certified mill scales. This was captured, not shot. The famous Hogzilla was originally thought to be a hoax, with a documentary made about it in 2004-2005. Perspective shots often make pigs appear larger than they are, with people standing far behind the animals.
Leopard sharks have been seen while spear fishing, but no great whites. Ocean Guardian is mentioned as a protective device. The largest crocodiles found in Africa have been close to 20 feet long.
Interest in hunting exists but no experience beyond shooting birds with a pellet gun. Deer is considered a good starting point for hunting. Proficiency with a recurve bow demonstrated in recent archery competition. Compound bow shooting occurs occasionally. Performance Archery in San Diego is recommended as one of the best shops in the country with 4.6 stars on Google. The shop was visited previously with John Dudley.
Proper bow setup requires correct sizing, draw length, and measurements specific to the individual. Different body sizes require different bow configurations - Jon Jones' bow would not work for someone shorter. Learning correctly first is emphasized, as with martial arts, because falling back on initial learned habits is common. This principle applies to both bow setup and martial arts training.
Skills are pursued for enjoyment and self-reliance rather than direct fighting application. Activities include making Kydex holsters and leather holsters at home. Plans exist to tear apart an old truck and learn mechanics from the ground up. Hunting is viewed as preparation for potential catastrophe scenarios. Martial arts and warrior skills encompass more than hand-to-hand combat, including various aspects of self-preservation.
Future plans involve acquiring property in Wyoming, Montana, or Idaho for self-reliance, with crops, wildlife, and hunting capability. The property would include stocked lakes and rivers with fish. Multiple properties are considered, as the spouse loves Southern California. The goal is to escape the hustle and bustle and be in nature.
Training keeps the fighter in California, with the team and coaches being the main factors. Training occurs at Den Training Center in Yolinda and CSW Fullerton with Eric Pollson. Eric Pollson is described as an OG who had a crazy ponytail in earlier days when hair grabbing was allowed. The ponytail was cut off after Sean Sherk kept grabbing it during bare knuckle fighting.
Early UFC days allowed hair grabbing, as demonstrated in fights like Hoist Gracie versus Ken Shamrock. Shorts are questioned as equipment choice since they provide something to grab, with loose high-slit cut shorts being particularly problematic. Spandex is preferred to avoid giving opponents grabbing opportunities.
World Combat Championships (WCC) had a 10-minute ground time limit and a floor time count system requiring fighters to get up if on the ground too long. Eric Pollson fought in WCC events. Historical fighting included headbutts, which made wrestlers particularly dangerous. Mark Coleman would headbutt opponents while in guard position.
The 12-to-6 elbow rule originated from athletic commission concerns after seeing ESPN karate brick-breaking demonstrations, with officials believing this was the most powerful strike possible. Big John McCarthy has a story about this decision-making process. The force delivered straight down with an elbow is considered more powerful than angled strikes, though angled strikes may produce more cutting.
The World Combat Championships had two different brackets: grapplers bracket allowing 10 minutes on the ground, and strikers bracket with only 2 minutes on the ground. Submissions were illegal in striker fights. The winner of both brackets would fight at the end. The tournament only occurred once in 1994 or 1995, right after UFC's emergence in 1993.
ONE Championship conducts both MMA fights and striking fights. PFL has merged with MVP (Jake Paul's production company). Netflix involvement in MMA is mentioned positively. The need for more MMA organizations and options is emphasized to develop more fans and provide opportunities for talented fighters outside the UFC. Talent pool outside UFC includes fighters from Russia and Brazil who haven't reached the big stage yet.
Champion versus champion fights are considered unlikely due to UFC's dominant position. The only scenario for such fights would require another promotion like MVP reaching equal prominence with equivalent champions. Cross-promotion would require fighters of Conor McGregor level popularity to generate sufficient interest and revenue.
Conor McGregor is believed likely to fight one more time before retirement. At 37-38 years old, approximately 2 years remain in his fighting career if he takes proper care of himself. Both ACLs have been torn and both menisci have been damaged. The jumping roundhouse kick injury adds uncertainty about future capabilities. His performance against Eddie Alvarez demonstrated exceptional skill, described as being "in the Matrix" with instantaneous countering and perfect precision.
The conversation examines Conor McGregor's authentic warrior persona versus his promotional skills. While McGregor possesses genuine fighting ability and could potentially achieve success, his exceptional talking ability makes it difficult to assess his actual preparation. The speakers express a desire to believe in his comeback but acknowledge they cannot verify his training regimen from outside his camp.
McGregor's first title win came in December 2015 with the one-punch knockout of Jose Aldo, which truly established him as a major star. The Eddie Alvarez fight represented another significant moment. Eleven years later, McGregor has accumulated considerable lifestyle factors including extensive partying and luxury that make returning to peak condition challenging.
McGregor faces significant challenges moving up to welterweight at 170 pounds, described as "a weight class of killers." Notable opponents mentioned include Carlos Prates and Morales, with fighters at this weight class being significantly larger than McGregor. Ian Garry was noted as being far bigger than McGregor during sparring sessions.
The speakers suggest 155 pounds represents McGregor's realistic fighting weight, but question whether he would commit to the necessary weight cutting at his age. They propose that Chandler fight at 170 pounds would be ideal for McGregor's potential return, avoiding the demanding weight cuts required at lower divisions.
The Michael Chandler fight is presented as potentially ideal for McGregor's return. Both fighters went through The Ultimate Fighter together and engaged in significant trash talk. Chandler waited approximately two years for this fight before apparently giving up on its occurrence.
Chandler possesses physical toughness and explosiveness but may lack the skill level of fighters like Max Holloway. His approach relies heavily on aggression and forward pressure, which the speakers suggest could benefit from more calculated strategy. Historical Bellator fights between Chandler and Eddie Alvarez are recommended viewing for fans seeking intense back-and-forth battles.
Ilia Topuria receives praise for his exceptional striking ability, described as a "work of art" with deep understanding of striking mechanics. His creativity stands out particularly in sparring, where he executes advanced techniques like crescent kicks and spinning back fists at close range.
Topuria's upcoming fight against Arman Tsarukyan in Los Angeles represents a significant challenge, as Tsarukyan is considered one of the sport's premier wrestlers. The matchup tests Topuria's ability to maintain fights standing against elite grappling threats.
Tsarukyan's ability to stay relevant outside the UFC while awaiting fight offers demonstrates strategic career management. He participates in PFL matches and maintains high social media presence, including connections with Twitch streamers. Despite coming from significant wealth described as "stupid rich" and "literally Bruce Wayne," Tsarukyan maintains exceptional dedication to training.
His YouTube training series shows him renting Lamborghinis upon arriving in cities like Los Angeles while maintaining rigorous training schedules. His first fight against Islam Makhachev, taken on short notice, gave the champion one of his toughest career tests.
The conversation addresses critical skills for strikers facing elite wrestlers. Rather than requiring comprehensive wrestling ability, strikers need strong takedown defense, multiple escapes from bottom position, sweeps, and the ability to return to feet. Getting stuck on the bottom against wrestlers like Tsarukyan typically ends fights.
Cyril Gane's fights against Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou serve as examples of strikers receiving wakeup calls regarding ground vulnerabilities. Jones' approach of avoiding strikes, taking down opponents, and quickly submitting them demonstrated the dangers of poor takedown defense.
Cyril Gane exemplifies elite heavyweight movement, with no close second in terms of mobility combined with knockout power. His basketball background contributes to his exceptional footwork and directional changes. The speakers note that no other heavyweight matches Gane's combination of speed, agility, and power.
Travis Brown in his prime represented another example of mobile heavyweights, though Gane operates at a distinctly higher level. Comparisons to Tai Tuivasa's speed are dismissed, though Tuivasa possesses elite wrestling and promotional skills.
Conor McGregor's trash talking created additional pressure on opponents, as seen with Jose Aldo and other Brazilian fighters who came out overly aggressive. This psychological approach forces opponents out of their comfort zones, making them tense and risk-averse rather than loose and technical.
The mental aspect of fighting receives extensive discussion, emphasizing the importance of maintaining emotional control despite external provocations. Getting angry leads to abandoning technical approaches in favor of wild swings, effectively reducing skilled fighters to beginners.
Training the mental aspect of fighting requires dedicated practice beyond physical conditioning. The speakers emphasize that emotional control partly stems from innate ability and partly from life experiences. Structured approaches include working with performance therapists, though individual variation makes universal programs difficult.
Training sessions with boxing coach Dale Royal extend beyond technique to include spiritual and philosophical discussions about warrior mindset and emotional control. These conversations about psychology and maintaining peace of mind during combat represent essential training components.
Multiple training influences contribute to fighter development. Eric Paulson provides legendary experience and mindset training. Ben Jones serves as the intense training partner who creates hardship in sparring, preparing fighters for actual competition through mental and physical challenges.
The speakers stress that mental training must be treated as its own dedicated practice requiring daily attention. Getting easily riled up indicates inexperience in the fight game, as emotion can completely override technical ability.
The optimal fighting mindset involves getting hit without emotional reaction or deviation from game plans. Heart rate remains stable, technique stays consistent, and fighters maintain intelligent defense rather than seeking immediate revenge. This emotional discipline represents the difference between skilled practitioners and true elite competitors.
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