JRE MMA Show #176 with Dustin Poirier - The Joe Rogan Experience Recap

Podcast: The Joe Rogan Experience

Published: 2026-03-17

Duration: 2 hr 48 min

Guests: Dustin Poirier

What Happened

Dustin Poirier and Joe Rogan discuss the challenges and dangers of weight cutting in MMA. Poirier shares his experiences with extreme weight cuts and the impact they have on fighters' health and performance. They both agree that more weight classes in the UFC would help alleviate some of the extreme weight-cutting practices.

Poirier talks about his upbringing in fighting and how it has influenced his family's approach to food and nutrition. His daughter is already learning to check ingredient labels, showing the long-lasting effects of his career on his personal life.

The conversation also touches on the history of MMA and its evolution, with Poirier and Rogan reminiscing about fighters like Eve Edwards and their contributions to the sport. They discuss how the sport has changed over the years, particularly the introduction and impact of techniques like calf kicks.

Poirier reflects on his career and the transition to life after fighting, expressing the challenges of finding a new routine after 20 years of being a professional fighter. He talks about his ventures outside the octagon, including his hot sauce business and potential interest in boxing.

The discussion includes a critical look at the UFC's pay structure and the implications of the new deal with Paramount. Poirier and Rogan ponder how this might affect fighters' earnings and the overall quality of fight cards without the motivation of pay-per-view bonuses.

They also discuss the influence of other organizations like PFL and ONE Championship on fighter pay and opportunities, highlighting the importance of competition in providing fighters with better financial options and career prospects.

Key Insights

• Dustin Poirier emphasizes the health risks associated with extreme weight cutting, noting how it weakens fighters 24 hours before a fight, which is one of the most dangerous sports in the world.
• The introduction of calf kicks in MMA has been a game-changer, with Poirier discussing its effectiveness and how it can incapacitate opponents quickly compared to traditional thigh kicks.
• Poirier reflects on the importance of fighter pay, agreeing with Joe Rogan that fighters should earn more, as they are the main attraction of the events, similar to comedians in a comedy club setup.
• The UFC's new agreement with Paramount could impact fighter earnings, as the traditional pay-per-view model incentivized fighters with a share of the sales, potentially affecting the quality of fight cards.