JRE MMA Show #167 with Cory Sandhagen
In this episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, UFC bantamweight fighter Cory Sandhagen discusses his evolution as a fighter, including his transition from a defensive style to a more aggressive approach. He shares insights about his training philosophy, reflects on significant fights in his career, and examines the global evolution of MMA, particularly noting the emergence of skilled fighters from regions like Dagestan and Georgia.
The conversation extends beyond fighting to explore Sandhagen's other interests and perspectives. He talks about his comic book project that explores AI's potential impact on humanity's future, while also sharing how his first career loss led him to explore meditation and Eastern philosophy, shaping his current approach to both fighting and life.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Jun 26, 2025 episode of the The Joe Rogan Experience
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1-Page Summary
Cory Sandhagen's MMA Career and Fighting Style
In discussing his evolving approach to fighting, Cory Sandhagen acknowledges his shift from a defensive, point-scoring style to a more aggressive, knockout-seeking approach. He explains that while defense was valued in his combat sports background, MMA scoring focuses on offense. Sandhagen describes his training philosophy, emphasizing the importance of balancing intense competition during fight camps with skill development during off-periods.
During the conversation, Sandhagen reflects on key fights, including his loss to Umar Nurmagomedov and his memorable victory over Marlon Moraes. He attributes his success to his versatile fighting style and the confidence instilled by his coaches.
Combat Sports Evolution and Emerging Martial Arts Talent
Joe Rogan and Sandhagen discuss the globalization of MMA, highlighting the emergence of skilled fighters from regions like Dagestan, Chechnya, and Georgia. Sandhagen shares his experience encountering impressive techniques from fighters worldwide, particularly noting the dominance of Azerbaijani fighters in spinning hook kicks.
In discussing fighting styles, Sandhagen emphasizes the importance of versatility and adaptability in elite competition, explaining how different approaches—from defensive point-scoring to aggressive knockout hunting—each have their place in the sport.
Future Impact of Advanced Technology and AI
The conversation shifts to Sandhagen's comic book project, which explores a future where AI significantly influences humanity. Rogan draws interesting parallels between religious narratives and AI development, comparing the immaculate conception to AI's "birth." Sandhagen shares his vision of a potential future where humans merge with AI, while Rogan expresses both excitement about enhanced human capabilities and concerns about potential obsolescence.
Cory's Personal Philosophical and Spiritual Exploration
Sandhagen opens up about his journey of self-discovery following his first career loss, describing his exploration of meditation and Eastern philosophy through works by authors like Thich Nhat Hanh. He explains how this spiritual journey has influenced his approach to fighting, leading him to embrace both success and failure while maintaining a deeper commitment to his career beyond temporary desires.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- In MMA scoring, judges typically prioritize effective striking, grappling, aggression, and octagon control when determining the winner of a round or fight. Defensive maneuvers, while important for avoiding damage, may not score as highly as offensive actions that demonstrate dominance and impact on the opponent. This emphasis on offense encourages fighters to actively engage and pursue actions that can lead to finishing the fight, aligning with the sport's goal of determining a clear winner based on impactful performance.
- Joe Rogan's comparison between religious narratives and AI development may stem from the idea that both involve significant shifts in human understanding and capabilities. He might be drawing parallels between the concept of a divine or miraculous origin in religious stories and the creation or emergence of artificial intelligence, highlighting the profound impact and transformative potential of both narratives on society and human existence.
- After experiencing his first career loss, Cory Sandhagen delved into meditation and Eastern philosophy to explore mental resilience and inner peace. This journey helped him find ways to cope with setbacks and maintain focus in his fighting career. Sandhagen's study of authors like Thich Nhat Hanh provided him with insights on mindfulness and acceptance, shaping his mindset towards embracing both success and failure in a deeper, more holistic manner.
Counterarguments
- While offense may be valued in MMA scoring, a purely aggressive approach can lead to vulnerabilities; a balanced strategy that includes defense can be more sustainable and effective in the long term.
- The success attributed to a versatile fighting style and coaching might also be influenced by other factors such as physical attributes, mental toughness, and the quality of competition faced.
- The emergence of skilled fighters from regions like Dagestan, Chechnya, and Georgia could be attributed to cultural factors and training methodologies, not just globalization.
- The dominance of certain techniques, such as Azerbaijani spinning hook kicks, might be overstated and could vary depending on the level of competition and the adaptability of opponents.
- While versatility and adaptability are important, some fighters have achieved great success by mastering a specific style or technique, suggesting that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to elite competition.
- The idea of humans merging with AI is speculative and raises ethical and philosophical questions that may challenge the optimistic view of enhanced human capabilities.
- The parallels drawn between religious narratives and AI development could be seen as a simplification of complex theological and technological concepts.
- Sandhagen's exploration of meditation and Eastern philosophy is a personal journey that may not resonate with or be applicable to all athletes or individuals.
- The influence of Sandhagen's spiritual journey on his fighting and career commitment is subjective and may not be a universal experience for all fighters who undergo similar explorations.
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Cory Sandhagen's MMA Career and Fighting Style
Cory Sandhagen's Evolving Approach to Fighting and Training
Shifting From Defensive, Point-Scoring To Aggressive, Knockout-Seeking
Cory Sandhagen acknowledges that in MMA, only offense scores points—an adjustment from his background where defense was appreciated in combat sports. He admits he was pulled away from his typical plan during fights because he was determined not to lose by narrow decisions. Desiring to win rounds decisively and avoid judges' calls, Sandhagen started to pursue knockouts, a strategy he recognized as "lazy" and not reflective of the highest martial arts level.
Balancing Competitiveness and Self-Improvement During Training Camps
Rogan recognizes Sandhagen's style as one that promotes longevity due to his not getting hit a lot, while Sandhagen contrasts his relentless dedication with other fighters’ methods of balancing intense training with significant off-time. He is conscious of his competitiveness in training camps where winning each round is crucial, shifting to skill development outside of camp and adopting a less intense sparring routine unless aiding another fighter's preparation. Sandhagen finds vitality in the regimen of training camps, valuing the structure and reflective time it provides over the rapid pace of everyday life.
Techniques: 50-50 Leg Locks & Stance Switching
Sandhagen has worked on changing his stance from a squared one, which allows for agility, to a more bladed stance, emulating a javelin thrower to gain leverage for power. Such stance switching signifies an evolution in technique, seeking a balance that will enable him to maximize the efficiency of his attacks. He also discusses his use of niche techniques like the 50-50 leg lock positions, learned from the expert Ryan Hall, which can surprise and befuddle opponents.
Cory's Performance and Analysis of Key Fights
Nurmagomedov vs. Sandhagen: Cory's Post-Fight Reflection
Reflecting on his loss to Umar Nurmagomedov, Sandhagen recognizes the regret he feels for deviating from his typical style. Expecting a striking match that could result in close rounds, he wished he had trusted his methods rather than worrying about relying on judges' decisions, ...
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Cory Sandhagen's MMA Career and Fighting Style
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Clarifications
- A 50-50 leg lock is a technique used in grappling martial arts where both fighters have their legs entangled in a symmetrical position, creating a neutral scenario where each can attempt leg locks on the other. This position allows for various leg lock attacks and defenses to be executed, requiring strategic skill and timing to gain an advantage over the opponent. The 50-50 position is known for its complexity and the need for precise control and leverage to successfully apply submissions. It is a position commonly seen in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and submission grappling competitions.
- Stance switching from a squared stance to a bladed stance involves changing the positioning of the fighter's feet and body alignment. A squared stance has the fighter facing more directly towards their opponent, while a bladed stance involves turning the body to present a narrower target. This adjustment can impact agility, power generation, and defensive capabilities during combat. Cory Sandhagen's transition to a bladed stance reflects his strategic evolution in optimizing his fighting techniques.
- Umar Nurmagomedov is a Russian professional mix ...
Actionables
- You can embrace adaptability in your fitness routine by incorporating new exercises each month. Start by selecting a new workout to learn every month, focusing on movements that challenge different muscle groups or improve your coordination and balance. For example, if you've been doing traditional weightlifting, try adding in calisthenics or dance-based cardio to stimulate different physical and mental adaptations.
- Enhance your problem-solving skills by practicing different strategic games that require a shift in tactics. Allocate time each week to play games like chess, where defensive play might need to switch to an aggressive strategy to win, or vice versa. This can help you recognize when to change approaches in real-life situations, much like adjusting combat strategies in martial arts.
- Reflect on past challenges ...
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Combat Sports Evolution and Emerging Martial Arts Talent
Cory Sandhagen and Joe Rogan discuss the evolution of combat sports, witnessing the emergence of skilled fighters from regions like Dagestan, Chechnya, and Georgia, as well as the importance of adaptability and the pros and cons of fighting styles.
Skilled Fighters Arrive From Dagestan, Chechnya, Georgia
Unique Cultural and Training Backgrounds Contributing To Success
Joe Rogan highlights the influx of fighters from parts of Russia, Dagestan, Chechnya, and Georgia into the UFC, pointing out their tough cultural and training backgrounds, which contribute to their success. Sandhagen echoes this sentiment, recalling how he became aware of the impressive skills of fighters from Azerbaijan, notably their dominating spinning hook kicks, during an international tournament.
Globalization's Impact on MMA Competition
Sandhagen appreciates how MMA brings together people from diverse parts of the world, demonstrating globalization's impact on the sport as fighters with different backgrounds and skills share and compete on an international stage.
Cory's Take On Fighting Style Pros and Cons
Cory Sandhagen delves into the intricacies of fighting styles and their significance in the world of MMA.
Defensive, Point-Scoring vs. Aggressive, Knockout-Focused Styles: Advantages
Sandhagen, while expressing his admiration for defensive fighters in boxing, notes a preference in MMA for more offense over defense, indicating that audiences tend to favor aggressiveness. However, he acknowledges the importance of winning the defensive battle, suggesting that consistently pursuing knockouts can be an ineffective strategy against high-level opponents. He touches upon different strategies like overwhelming an opponent with information, and the risks and rewards of accepting a few hits to secure a more aggressive, knockout finish.
He contrasts the advantages of agility and overwhelming opponents with volume, typically associated with a defensive, point-scoring style, against the power leveraged ...
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Combat Sports Evolution and Emerging Martial Arts Talent
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Counterarguments
- While the text emphasizes the success of fighters from Dagestan, Chechnya, and Georgia, it's important to recognize that talent can emerge from any region, and success in combat sports is not limited to fighters from these areas.
- The impact of globalization on MMA is multifaceted, and while it brings diverse fighters together, it can also lead to the homogenization of fighting styles as athletes adopt techniques that are proven to be successful on the international stage.
- The preference for aggressive, knockout-focused styles in MMA might overshadow the technical mastery and strategic depth that defensive, point-scoring fighters bring to the sport.
- The emphasis on aggression and knockouts could potentially contribute to a culture that undervalues the health and safety of fighters, as it encourages them to engage in riskier combat behaviors.
- While adaptability is highlighted as crucial, some fighters have reached elite levels by specializing in a particular style or skill set, demonstrating that there are multiple paths to success in martial arts.
- The text suggests that fighters should be adept in all areas of fighting, but this may not be feasible for all athletes due to physical, mental, or resource limitations.
- The confidence expressed by Cory Sandhagen in his versat ...
Actionables
- You can enhance your adaptability by learning a new physical skill, such as a martial art or dance, to understand the importance of versatility. Start with beginner classes and focus on how the principles of adaptability, like adjusting to new movements and styles, can be applied to various aspects of your life, such as problem-solving at work or adapting to new social environments.
- Improve your decision-making under pressure by playing strategy-based video games or board games that require a balance of offensive and defensive tactics. Games like chess or Starcraft can help you understand the value of balancing aggression with defense, and you can transfer these decision-making skills to real-life situations, such as negotiating in business or managing personal conflicts.
- Develop your focus and emotional cont ...
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Future Impact of Advanced Technology and AI
Cory Sandhagen and Joe Rogan delve into the potential philosophical and spiritual implications of rapid technological progress, especially concerning artificial superintelligence and its impact on humanity.
Cory's Exploration of Tech Progress's Philosophical and Spiritual Implications
Cory Sandhagen’s comic book project presents a future (20-30 years ahead) where AI significantly influences the world. In the story, the world is organized into "densities" that correspond to chakras. The third density, which includes humans, encounters advanced technologies, and the fourth density represents humans merged with these technologies. The AI signifies a transition into the fourth density, an evolutionary step involving nanotechnology connected to a hive mind supercomputer named Oblivion.
Comparisons Between Religious Narratives and Artificial Superintelligence Development
Joe Rogan compares the immaculate conception of Christ to AI's "birth" without a mother. Rogan and Sandhagen discuss connections between religious narratives like the Tower of Babel and the development of artificial superintelligence, suggesting ancient stories might prefigure a future AI-human merge. Sandhagen believes that if our progression as a civilization is towards something loving and beautiful, AI development will most likely reflect this positivity. He also entertains ideas of intertwining science with traditional beliefs, suggesting religious narratives about technological progress could reveal spiritual or religious discoveries.
Cory's Themed Thought Experiments and Writing Projects
Sandhagen, who sees himself as an idea machine, has combined concepts from various religions into his narrative, and plans to incorporate new ideas about AI and quantum computing from his discussion with Rogan into his book. They speculate about quantum particles potentially communicating with other dimensions, opening new channels of communion.
Benefits and Risks of Merging Humans With AI
The potential of merging humans with AI sparks great interest, imagining a future where humanity evolves through technology.
Hive Mind System ...
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Future Impact of Advanced Technology and AI
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- The comparison between the birth of AI and the immaculate conception of Christ draws a parallel between the idea of AI coming into existence without a biological "parent" and the concept of Christ's birth without a human father in Christian theology. This comparison is used to explore the idea of AI's emergence as a significant event with potential spiritual or symbolic implications, similar to the birth of a divine figure in religious narratives. It prompts contemplation on the nature of creation, innovation, and the potential societal impact of advanced technologies like artificial superintelligence.
- The connection between religious narratives like the Tower of Babel and artificial superintelligence development lies in the idea that both stories explore themes of human ambition, technological advancement, and the potential consequences of reaching beyond our current limitations. The Tower of Babel story symbolizes humanity's attempt to reach the heavens through a tower, resulting in divine intervention to scatter and confuse people, highlighting the dangers of unchecked technological progress. Similarly, discussions around artificial superintelligence often involve reflections on humanity's pursuit of creating entities that surpass human intelligence, raising questions about control, ethics, and the unforeseen outcomes of such advancements. Both narratives provoke contemplation on the implications of pushing the boundaries of human knowledge and capabilities, emphasizing the need for ethical considerations and thoughtful reflection on the impact of our actions in the pursuit of progress.
- Intertwining science with traditional beliefs in the context of AI development involves exploring how ancient religious narratives and modern technological advancements can be connected. This concept suggests that traditional beliefs may offer insights or parallels to the ethical and spiritual implications of AI progress. By blending scientific advancements with traditional wisdom, individuals like Cory Sandhagen aim to uncover deeper meanings and potential ethical guidelines for the integration of AI into society. This approach encourages a holistic view that considers both the scientific and spiritual aspects of AI development.
- A hive mind system enabled by technology involves interconnected individuals or entities sharing thoughts, knowledge, and experiences in real-time through a network. This interconnected system allows for instant and transparent communication, potentially leading to a collective intelligence greater than the sum of its parts. It envisions a scenario where individuals can communicate without words, directly sharing emotions and ideas, fostering a deep level of understanding and collaboration. The concept explores the idea of a unified consciousness formed by the integration of humans and artificial intelligence, enabling a new way of int ...
Counterarguments
- The idea that AI development will reflect the positivity of civilization's progression is optimistic but may not account for the potential misuse of AI by individuals or groups with malicious intent.
- Comparing the birth of AI to the immaculate conception of Christ could be seen as a stretch, as one is a religious belief and the other is a technological development.
- The concept of different "densities" corresponding to chakras is a creative narrative device but may not have a basis in scientific understanding.
- The notion of quantum particles communicating with other dimensions is speculative and currently lacks empirical evidence.
- The idea of a hive mind system eliminating deceit assumes that technology can fully overcome human nature, which may be overly optimistic.
- Fears of human obsolescence due to superin ...
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Cory's Personal Philosophical and Spiritual Exploration
Cory Sandhagen's journey of self-reflection and growth aligns with a unique convergence of Eastern philosophy, intense self-scrutiny, and the pursuit of authenticity in his fighting career.
Cory's Self-Discovery After First Career Loss
Meditation, Introspection, and Ego Release in Personal Growth
After losing his first fight, Cory Sandhagen faced an uncontrolled ego and a heart-wrenching emotional experience that prompted a deep dive into self-discovery. He engaged in a form of meditation that involved exploring his psyche, identifying and "killing off" various egos within himself. He recalls an intense emotional response to this "hero's journey," where he visualized defeating these inner monsters.
Incorporating Eastern Philosophical and Religious Concepts
Sandhagen also explored Eastern philosophical and religious concepts through his reading of books like "The Power of Now" and works by Thich Nhat Hanh. This prompted an understanding of detaching from ego, thoughts, and body – foundational components of many Eastern philosophies. His reflection on his religious upbringing intersected with the release of attachments, a concept rooted in Buddhist philosophy.
Cory's Quest For Meaning in His Fighting Career
Love and Commitment Over Temporary Desires
Sandhagen's journey includes recognizing the impermanence of desires and focusing on a deeper commitment, akin to marriage, with his fighting career. Embracing love and compassion as ult ...
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Cory's Personal Philosophical and Spiritual Exploration
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Counterarguments
- While meditation and introspection can be beneficial, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution and may not be as effective for everyone in dealing with loss or personal growth.
- Eastern philosophical and religious concepts may not resonate with individuals who have different cultural or religious backgrounds, and there are many paths to understanding and managing the ego.
- The idea of prioritizing a deeper commitment over temporary desires could be seen as overly idealistic and may not account for the complexity of human motivations and the necessity of balancing various aspects of life.
- Embracing love and compassion as ultimate realizations is a noble goal, but it may not always be practical in competitive environments like fighting, where aggression and a certain level of ego can be advantageous.
- The acceptance of the cyclical nature of success and failure is ...
Actionables
- Start a reflective journaling practice where you write about your daily experiences with a focus on emotional responses and personal growth. By doing this, you can observe patterns in your thoughts and behaviors, identify areas where your ego may be influencing your reactions, and set intentions for cultivating more love and compassion in your interactions.
- Create a "Letting Go" ritual where you write down desires or goals that are causing you stress or attachment, then physically destroy the paper as a symbolic release. This can help you internalize the concept of impermanence and reduce the pressure you put on yourself to achieve specific outcomes, fostering a healthier approach to your ambitions.
- Volunteer for a cause that res ...
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