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.