Joe Rogan| Why MMA is More Popular Than Kickboxing in America w/Cedric Duombe

Summary

In this episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Joe discusses the popularity of kickboxing in Europe with his guest, who explains why the sport hasn't gained similar traction in the U.S. They explore how MMA, with its simpler rules and more intense stand-up fighting style, attracts American fans who enjoy the cage, small gloves, and knockouts. The conversation also covers the differences between kickboxing and Muay Thai, the challenges of transitioning from kickboxing to MMA, and the training differences for wrestlers in France compared to the U.S. The guest shares insights on grappling, takedowns, and his own experiences training in Paris.

Takeaways

• 🥋 Kickboxing is very popular in Europe, especially in Holland, but hasn't caught on as much in America.
• 🤔 MMA is more popular in America, possibly because it's more accessible to those unfamiliar with combat sports.
• 🥊 People are drawn to MMA for the striking aspect, but the best striking is found in kickboxing and Muay Thai.
• 🔥 The cage and the potential for bloodier fights might be why MMA is more favored over kickboxing.
• 🇫🇷 There's a push for MMA to be fully legalized in France, with changes expected in January to allow strikes on the ground.
• 📉 Elite fighters transitioning from kickboxing to MMA might lead to kickboxing being seen as a stepping stone rather than a standalone sport.
• 🤼‍♂️ The transition from kickboxing to MMA is considered easier than from wrestling due to the similarities in movement and striking.
• 🇺🇸 In the USA, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is more common, with training often starting on the ground to prevent injuries.
• 🤸‍♂️ In France, grappling training, known as Luta Livre, starts on the feet and continues after a takedown, unlike traditional wrestling.
• 🏋️‍♂️ The speaker trains in Paris with a reputable coach, indicating the availability of quality MMA training there.

Q & A

Why is kickboxing more popular in Europe than in the United States?

Kickboxing is huge in Europe, especially in countries like Holland, but in the United States, it never caught on as much. One reason could be that MMA is more appealing to people who aren't familiar with specific fighting rules, and MMA offers a simpler, more exciting format with its cage fights and blood, which may attract more American viewers.

What did Joe Rogan find surprising about the popularity of kickboxing in the United States?

Joe Rogan was surprised that kickboxing isn't more popular in the U.S., considering how much people enjoy stand-up striking in MMA. He believes that the best striking comes from kickboxing and Muay Thai, which feature elite fighters, but for some reason, the sport hasn't gained as much traction as MMA or boxing in the States.

What aspect of MMA does Rogan think attracts more fans compared to kickboxing?

Rogan suggests that fans enjoy MMA more because of its simplicity, the spectacle of the cage, smaller gloves, and the frequent knockouts. These elements make MMA more exciting for casual viewers, as opposed to the technical aspects of kickboxing that may be harder to follow without knowing the rules.

What potential challenge does kickboxing face with elite fighters transitioning to MMA?

When elite kickboxers, like Rico Verhoeven, transition to MMA, it could potentially make kickboxing seem like a stepping stone rather than a legitimate, standalone sport. This could reduce the perception of kickboxing's importance as more fans and fighters focus on MMA.

How does transitioning from kickboxing to MMA differ from Muay Thai to MMA?

Transitioning from kickboxing to MMA is generally seen as easier because kickboxers are used to more movement and techniques that translate well to MMA. Muay Thai fighters, on the other hand, tend to stand still more and focus on power strikes, making the transition slightly more difficult.

Why do Muay Thai fighters move less compared to kickboxers?

Muay Thai fighters tend to move less because of the use of clinching, elbows, and knees, which require fighters to remain more stationary compared to kickboxing, where fighters rely more on constant movement and combinations.

What type of wrestling training does the speaker get in France?

In France, the speaker trains in grappling and no-gi (nogi) Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His training also includes takedowns starting from a standing position, which is similar to Luta Livre, a Brazilian form of submission wrestling.

How does no-gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training in France differ from traditional BJJ in America?

In France, no-gi training often starts on the feet and incorporates takedowns, which is different from traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in America, where classes often start on the ground to reduce injury risks, especially in large groups.

What is Luta Livre, and how is it different from Olympic wrestling?

Luta Livre is a Brazilian form of submission wrestling that combines grappling with takedowns, starting from a standing position, and continuing into ground fighting. It differs from Olympic wrestling, which is more focused on takedowns and doesn't incorporate submissions.

What team and coach does the speaker train with in Paris?

The speaker trains in Paris with a large team, and his coach, Mehdi, is highly regarded. He emphasizes the importance of speed and technique in training, preparing the speaker for competition.