JRE MMA Show #175 with Shakur Stevenson - The Joe Rogan Experience

Transcript

Joe Rogan (0:01)

Joe Rogan podcast. Check it out. The Joe Rogan experience. Train by day, Joe Rogan podcast by night.

Shakur Stevenson (0:08)

All day.

Joe Rogan (0:12)

Well, anyway, thanks for coming down here, man. Appreciate it. And congratulations on that standout performance against Tiafimo. Because that was a. That was a giant wake up call for the entirety of boxing. The level that you're on, was it so high that you could be in there with a world champion. A world champion and make him a guy who beat, I mean, legit guys, including Lomachenko? Yeah, it was a big victory for him and you made him look like he had no business in there.

Shakur Stevenson (0:45)

Honestly, it's just hard work, dedication and God given ability. God given ability.

Joe Rogan (0:55)

I think you have all that plus intelligence, plus you start real young. And there's something about those dudes who start real young. You grow up with that. It's like in your central nervous system as you're a young child. Yeah, I mean, would you start boxing like 5?

Shakur Stevenson (1:11)

I started boxing at 5, but honestly, you could say the same for Teo too. Cause he kind of started at like 7. So we both was kind of similar in like experience. But I just felt like with me, the God given ability of my instincts always kick in. Like when we fought, I felt like my brain just knew how to win. Like, it just. Everything was just like my instincts kicked in and everything just took over. Like, I didn't even. It felt like an out of body experience.

Joe Rogan (1:45)

Well, you're a very tactical guy. Like, you know, there's a thing. One of the things I love about watching you fight is I love watching a guy who sets traps and who avoids damage. And you are one of the absolute, very best ever at setting traps and avoid damage. You take so few punches in your fights. Yeah, there was that one fight where you decided. Recent fight. We decided to stand with that dude. Who was that?

Shakur Stevenson (2:09)

William Zepeda.

Joe Rogan (2:10)

That's right. Zepeda's a tough guy, man.

Shakur Stevenson (2:12)

He is.

Joe Rogan (2:12)

But you fought that in a different way. Did you do that on purpose?

Shakur Stevenson (2:17)

Summary

The Joe Rogan Experience – MMA Show #175 with Shakur Stevenson Date: March 6, 2026

Episode Overview

Joe Rogan welcomes boxing superstar Shakur Stevenson to discuss his career-defining win over Teofimo Lopez, his approach to the sport, the challenges of being an elite boxer, and the mental game behind world-class fighting. The episode dives deep into technical boxing insights, influences, tactics against brain trauma, experiences with cheating in combat sports, and the differences between boxing and MMA. Notable names like Floyd Mayweather, Terence Crawford, Andre Ward, Lomachenko, and Claressa Shields are discussed in-depth.

Main Themes & Purpose

Shakur Stevenson's rise to boxing’s elite status and his recent victory over Teofimo Lopez
The mental, tactical, and physical demands of being an all-around fighter
Perspectives on defense, longevity, and brain health in boxing
The realities and ethics of performance-enhancing drugs in combat sports
Mentors and role models who shaped Shakur's growth
Family, humility, and mindset off the canvas
Boxing’s business and matchmaking challenges at the highest level
The intersection and contrast between boxing and MMA

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Shakur’s Win over Teofimo Lopez

Rogan praises Shakur's “standout performance” (00:12)
Shakur attributes his skills to "hard work, dedication, and God-given ability," emphasizing his natural fighting instincts (00:45, 01:11)
Describes fighting Lopez as nearly “out of body,” with instincts and tactical mastery taking over
Rogan highlights Shakur's rare defensive skills and trap-setting: “You take so few punches in your fights.” (01:45)

On Defense, Tactics, and Longevity

Shakur's conscious avoidance of brain damage:

“I want to make sure I’m able to really speak well to my kids and grandkids… so taking punishment ain’t for me.” (03:18)
Rogan: “You are giving up your brain for some people who don’t give a fuck about you.” (04:04)
Discussion on judging biases, fighting with “purpose,” and the risk-reward of crowd-pleasing wars (02:43)

The Complete Fighter Mindset

Shakur: “I just feel like I’m a fighter that could do it all… I’m the most complete fighter in boxing.” (05:37, 06:24)
Rogan: “That mindset is what you need… you can’t just look at the guys who are your competitors.” (06:24)
Difficulty finding big fights due to being “too good” and making world-class opponents look like novices (06:41, 06:45)
Shakur on discipline: “The biggest thing that I don’t get credit for is my discipline.” (08:06)

Discipline, Growth, and the Grind

Shakur: “I kind of only really shown like 70% of what I really could do.” (11:36)
Rogan: “It’s a matter of maintaining that over years… That’s so difficult.” (12:21)
Early career setbacks prepared Shakur mentally for success (13:07)
Terence Crawford’s influence: “He put my game at a very high level… me just being in the gym, able to watch him.” (14:18)

On Mentors: Terence Crawford & Andre Ward

Shakur’s respect and gratitude for sparring alongside, and learning from, Crawford (15:13–16:53)
Rogan praises Crawford’s versatility and all-time great status (15:17)
Andre Ward's role as a mentor and technical adviser (22:03)
Difference between Ward’s and Floyd Mayweather’s post-career choices, importance of leaving with faculties intact (21:46)

The Business of Boxing, Fame & Family

Aspirations of financial security and avoiding the pitfalls of fighting past prime (20:00)
Shakur contrasts himself with boxers who chase fame: “I'm just a regular person… I enjoy spending time with my family.” (39:15, 39:57)
Growing up with competitive brothers shaped his toughness and mindset: “They would throw it in your face.” (35:09)

Sparring Stories & Tactical Development

Shakur’s competitive sparring with Lomachenko and Lopez—why sparring outcomes can impact potential fight negotiations (24:48–27:34)
Lessons from sparring: “If I’m Lomachenko and I saw what he did as a kid… why would I test the water?” (27:00)

Mindset, Pressure & Performing Under Lights

Gym fighters vs. fight night performers— the difference is mental (32:22)
Rogan and Shakur discuss pressure, fear, nerves, how top fighters handle it: “What you thinking and believing… is what’s going to come out.” (33:25)
Shakur’s competitive drive comes partly from wanting to impress/support family (36:01)

Boxing’s Technical Advisors & Coaching

Father-son coaching—benefits and pitfalls; importance of separating parent from coach in the corner (58:44)
Shakur’s grandfather’s major influence: “He allowed me to love the sport of boxing myself.” (38:31)

Comparing Boxing & MMA

Deep differences between elite boxing and MMA striking (67:03–68:15)
Admiration for MMA wrestlers: “I want to learn how to wrestle. I feel like they're the strongest people.” (68:42)
Mutual respect among sports—each sees their own discipline as ‘the best’, but acknowledges other’s strengths (66:28, 66:48)

PEDs & Cheating in Combat Sports

Extensive discussion on the history of steroids and drug testing in boxing and MMA (115:04–119:48)
Rogan reveals MMA’s “Wild West” era and how modern random testing (USADA/VADA) cleans up the sport (117:57, 119:48)
Shakur adamant about VADA testing in all his fights: “I do not play that.” (125:23)
Risks and psychology of fighting cheaters—"It's life or death." (126:55)

Notable Quotes

Shakur Stevenson (on defense and brain health):
“I want to make sure that I'm able to really speak well to my kids and my grandkids and all of that. So taking punishment ain't for me.” (03:18)
Joe Rogan (on entertaining wars):
“You are giving up your brain for some people who don't give a fuck about you.” (04:04)
Shakur Stevenson (on needing a challenge):
“I'm the most complete fighter in boxing.” (05:37)
Joe Rogan (on mentoring):
“Being in the gym with another guy who’s an all time great… that’s better than any coach in the world.” (15:50)
Shakur Stevenson (on learning from sparring):
“I could beat anybody. I get in there with Terrence Crawford… I’m in the ring with the best fighter in the world.” (14:18)
Joe Rogan (on Shakur’s performance):
“For a breakout performance, you need another dude who’s had breakout performances that everybody respects and knows. Like Teofimo.” (41:51)
Shakur Stevenson (on avoiding overconfidence):
“I be scared of being too confident. So I be trying to make guys bigger in my brain.” (30:01)

Influences, Learning & Leading by Example

Importance of constant learning from every source:
“I keep my notepad out everywhere I go.” (83:34)
Shakur encourages younger fighters to self-study and analyze their own flaws (90:02)
He sees his post-boxing future as a “secret weapon,” using boxing intelligence to elevate the next generation (91:00–92:24)
Advocates for more fighters to write books and share knowledge: “Boxing knowledge is all word of mouth in the gym.” (92:56)

Important Timestamps

00:12–06:24: Discussing the Teofimo Lopez fight, mindset, and Shakur's all-around skills
13:07–16:53: Influence of Terence Crawford and Andre Ward
21:46–23:10: Thoughts on retirement, Floyd, and Ward's post-career paths
24:48–27:34: Sparring with Lomachenko, implications for potential fights
32:22–34:44: Nerves, pressure, and handling big moments
66:28–68:42: Boxing vs. MMA—technical and strategic differences
115:04–119:48: PEDs, drug testing evolution, impact on boxing and MMA
125:23–127:24: VADA testing, the seriousness of PEDs in combat sports
83:34, 92:56, 94:26: On learning, teaching, and the need for written boxing wisdom

Notable & Memorable Moments

Impactful Praise: Joe Rogan repeatedly calls Shakur’s performance against Lopez “a wake up call for boxing” and a “breakout” that showed “there are levels.”
Candid Reflection: Shakur openly shares how losses as an amateur—and his brothers making fun of him—drove his competitive edge (35:09)
Mentorship: Profound respect for mentors like Crawford and Ward, and family, as essential to Shakur’s development and mindset (14:18, 22:03, 38:31)
Technical Introspection: Honest breakdown of training adjustments, overtraining risks, and tactical self-improvement (82:06, 86:08)
Ethics in Boxing: Passionate discussion on the consequences of cheating and steroids’ potential to be life or death in the ring (126:16, 127:10)

Conclusion

Shakur Stevenson’s appearance creates a masterclass in what it means to excel and survive in elite boxing. Listeners are treated to rare candor about the road to greatness, tutelage under legends, the burden of being avoided, and the multidimensional preparation (mental, emotional, physical, and ethical) that defines a complete fighter. The discussion bridges the worlds of boxing and MMA with mutual respect, technical detail, and hard-earned wisdom—ultimately affirming Shakur’s place among the sport’s most intelligent and disciplined practitioners.