The Joe Rogan Experience

JRE MMA Show #174 with Terence Crawford

February 25, 2026

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  • Terence Crawford's decisive victory over Canelo validated his skill set and silenced doubters who questioned his ability to move up multiple weight classes. 
  • Crawford believes that achieving a career-capping, definitive win over an all-time great like Canelo, while retiring undefeated, provides a perfect finale that few fighters can claim. 
  • The conversation highlighted the pervasive issue in combat sports where critics often discredit a dominant fighter's accomplishments by focusing on the perceived flaws or diminished status of their opponents (e.g., 'Canelo is washed' or Errol Spence's accident). 
  • For elite athletes seeking greatness, legacy and being recognized as the best often supersede immediate financial gain, though fighters who prioritize money may move to organizations like the PFL that pay more to secure talent the UFC wants. 
  • The UFC maintains a dominant position in MMA, similar to the NFL in football, making it the primary destination for fighters seeking glory, which limits the leverage of fighters trying to hold out for higher pay. 
  • The financial management of professional athletes is often poor, as many prioritize lavish spending and keeping up with peers, leading to financial trouble later in life, contrasting with truly wealthy individuals who maintain a low profile. 
  • External financial backing, such as that provided by 'Riyadh season' or 'Turkey,' is crucial for facilitating major boxing matchups that traditional promoters might otherwise refuse to fund. 
  • Elite athletic performance, particularly in boxing, is built upon years of extreme discipline, rigorous, often monotonous training, and conquering internal resistance, making the training the hardest part, not the fight itself. 
  • Effective coaching requires individualized technical instruction tailored to the fighter's processing style and recognizing physical signs of overtraining, as generic emotional commands like 'you got to hit him' are often useless in high-level competition. 

Segments

Canelo Fight Aftermath
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(00:00:14)
  • Key Takeaway: Terence Crawford’s victory over Canelo was definitive, silencing critics who doubted his ability to jump two weight classes to 168.
  • Summary: The discussion confirms Crawford’s win against Canelo was a clear victory, validating his belief that ‘skills pay the bills.’ Crawford notes that opponents like Madramov looked physically bigger than Canelo, highlighting the size differences in the weight classes discussed. The win served as a major ‘I told you so’ moment for Crawford against friends who thought the jump was too much.
Crawford’s Skill vs. Doubters
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(00:01:42)
  • Key Takeaway: Crawford was highly motivated by doubters who claimed he was too small or only fighting for money, driving him to deliver a definitive performance.
  • Summary: Crawford felt he was in his element during the fight due to external doubt regarding his size and motivation. He compares his situation to Roy Jones Jr. in his prime, where superior skill made opponents look less capable than they were. Critics often try to find flaws by questioning the quality of the opponents Crawford defeats, labeling them as ’tomato cans.'
Benavidez Fight Analysis
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(00:03:10)
  • Key Takeaway: David Benavidez is a tough fighter whose previous injury should not be used to discredit Crawford’s victory over him.
  • Summary: Crawford rewatched the Benavidez fight, noting the high tension and Benavidez’s fighting ability despite a leg injury. Crawford asserts that Benavidez fought no differently before or after the injury, dismissing arguments that the injury was a factor in the outcome. The fight concluded with a decisive right uppercut in the 12th round after Crawford adapted his strategy against Benavidez’s head movement.
Legacy and Casual Appreciation
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(00:04:51)
  • Key Takeaway: The Canelo victory was the ‘cherry on top’ that ensured casual fans would appreciate Crawford’s skill set, which might have been overlooked if he retired after the Spence fight.
  • Summary: Crawford feels the Canelo win provided the necessary validation for casual fans, as boxing insiders already respected his skill. He dismisses current claims that Canelo is ‘washed up,’ pointing out he is older than Canelo. This situation mirrors how Bernard Hopkins gained widespread recognition after defeating Felix Trinidad later in his career.
Boxing Politics and Unmade Fights
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(00:06:30)
  • Key Takeaway: Boxing politics, driven by promoters, often prevents highly anticipated matchups, exemplified by the long-elusive Canelo vs. David Benavidez fight.
  • Summary: Crawford notes that promoters historically created obstacles for him, but now they cooperate, questioning why they couldn’t before. He believes Canelo avoids Benavidez because Benavidez is a naturally large fighter, which contrasts with Canelo’s history of beating bigger men using skill. The failure to make fights like Canelo vs. Benavidez or Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Aaron Pryor is a recurring issue in the sport.
Weight Cutting and Fighter Health
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(00:43:28)
  • Key Takeaway: Extreme weight cutting, particularly in MMA, severely compromises a fighter’s health by dehydrating the brain, a danger Crawford avoided by being comfortable at 154 pounds.
  • Summary: Crawford states the most he ever cut was about 25 pounds for a fight, but he felt most comfortable at 154 pounds against Canelo, where weight was not an issue. He criticizes MMA fighters for extreme dehydration cuts, noting that losing fluid from the brain takes days to recover, making fighters vulnerable. He cites Alex Pereira cutting 40 pounds to make 185 as an example of dangerous practices.
Switch Hitting Mastery
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(00:23:37)
  • Key Takeaway: Crawford is considered one of the best switch hitters since Marvin Hagler because the ability to seamlessly switch stances provides an overwhelming tactical advantage.
  • Summary: Crawford’s coach initially told him to stop switching, but he persisted because it felt natural, leading the team to train that skill extensively. The ability to switch recalibrates angles and hides combinations, which is highly effective in boxing and increasingly common in MMA. Having the ability to switch is beneficial even if not needed, as it provides a crucial option in the bag.
Motivation and Retirement
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(00:15:41)
  • Key Takeaway: Crawford is definitively retired because achieving his goal of being remembered as one of the greatest champions, capped by the Canelo win, leaves no higher motivation than money.
  • Summary: Crawford confirms he is done fighting because he achieved his legacy goal of being an all-time great champion, having fought for titles since 2014. He took pay cuts previously to secure his legacy, but now the motivation would only be money, which is not enough to top his final victory. He emphasizes the danger of fighters continuing past their prime when their identity is solely tied to fighting.
UFC Dominance and Fighter Pay
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(00:57:26)
  • Key Takeaway: The UFC’s market position forces fighters from other organizations to take pay cuts if they wish to join, as the UFC is the undisputed destination for glory.
  • Summary: UFC pay-per-views sell well due to the presence of stars, but fighters in other organizations, even if paid more, lack recognition. Moving to the UFC often requires a pay cut because the UFC is viewed as the equivalent of the NFL or NBA in terms of prestige. Other organizations like the PFL must pay fighters more to attract them away from the UFC.
Fighter Motivation: Legacy vs. Money
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(00:58:51)
  • Key Takeaway: For the elite of the elite, legacy and being the number one dog are the primary motivators, as focusing solely on money prevents achieving true greatness.
  • Summary: Fighters must determine their core motivation: fame, family stability, or money. Achieving greatness requires an unwavering focus on being the number one competitor, not just financial gain. Fighters like Ngannou, who are already famous, can prioritize business sense when choosing organizations based on pay.
Business vs. Loyalty in Sports Contracts
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(00:59:56)
  • Key Takeaway: Fighters are expected to treat contract changes as pure business, yet they are often labeled disloyal when they make moves that benefit them financially, unlike promotional companies who cut fighters without hesitation.
  • Summary: When a fighter like Conor Benn signs a lucrative deal elsewhere, critics call him disloyal, despite promotional companies routinely cutting fighters after two straight losses without concern for their families. Boxing benefits from promoter competition and cross-promotion, which is absent in MMA. The Japanese acquisition of Pride FC proved disastrous as the contracts were invalid, leaving the UFC with only a video library.
Missed Super-Fights in Combat Sports
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(01:03:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Fans were robbed of potentially all-time great matchups, such as Fedor vs. Cain Velasquez, due to complex contract issues involving Russian gangsters after the Pride sale.
  • Summary: The potential fight between Fedor and Cain Velasquez never materialized because the UFC had to negotiate with Russian gangsters controlling Fedor’s contract after the Pride sale, leading to contentious and sketchy negotiations. Similar missed opportunities include Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao, which was delayed until Manny had a shoulder injury. The upcoming exhibition between Mayweather and Tyson is viewed as crazy given their age.
Athlete Financial Discipline and Lifestyle
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(01:04:49)
  • Key Takeaway: Most fighters lack business acumen, leading to financial exploitation by entourages, and even high earners like Floyd Mayweather struggle with lavish spending habits, necessitating late-career comebacks.
  • Summary: Fighters often concentrate only on fighting, making them vulnerable to people around them who pretend to look out for their interests but steal money. Mayweather spends lavishly on cars and watches, which quickly depletes massive earnings, leading to lawsuits and the need to fight again. Athletes must avoid the trap of ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ to maintain wealth, as true wealth is often hidden.
Terence Crawford’s Canelo Training Adjustments
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(01:13:06)
  • Key Takeaway: Terence Crawford’s preparation for the Canelo fight primarily involved focused strength and conditioning starting in February, specifically strengthening his shoulders following recent surgery.
  • Summary: Crawford did not change his fundamental boxing training for the Canelo fight, focusing instead on sharpening his existing skills. His strength coach initiated specific strength work, including deadlifts, to prepare his body for the 168-pound weight class. This preparation was crucial as Crawford had recently undergone surgery for a torn labrum in his right shoulder.
Post-Fight Recovery and Retirement Mindset
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(01:17:22)
  • Key Takeaway: Terence Crawford feels no compulsion to return to boxing after achieving his goals, viewing his retirement as a natural progression to focus on family and relaxation.
  • Summary: Crawford has not been offered a rematch, and he is not motivated by money to return, having checked off all his career goals. He is currently enjoying time with his children and relaxing, having avoided the media spotlight that often consumes fighters who crave constant attention. He emphasizes that his happiness stems from his family being well taken care of, not external validation.
The Importance of Supportive Circles
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(01:11:42)
  • Key Takeaway: Long-term success and discipline, exemplified by Bernard Hopkins, rely heavily on having an entourage that enforces healthy habits rather than encouraging destructive behavior.
  • Summary: Discipline, learned partly from difficult life experiences, is crucial for athletes to avoid wasting their short prime window on frivolous spending or poor physical choices. True success comes from surrounding oneself with people who encourage training, healthy eating, and discipline, not those who promote partying or drug use. Entourages often become a liability, requiring the star athlete to manage internal conflicts among ‘knuckleheads’.
Canelo’s Physical Traits and Horse Riding
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(01:21:21)
  • Key Takeaway: Canelo Alvarez’s durability may be partially attributed to his red hair, which is scientifically linked to requiring more anesthesia, and his lifelong practice of horse riding, which builds exceptional balance and core strength.
  • Summary: Research suggests redheads require 19-20% more general anesthesia due to the MC1R gene affecting nerve sensitivity. Jim Lampley noted that Canelo’s lifelong horse riding provides a strong base, constantly engaging his legs, core, and balance through squeezing and adjusting. Despite the risk of injury, this activity contributes to his physical foundation.
Boxing Culture: Trash Talk vs. Skill
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(01:32:36)
  • Key Takeaway: American fight culture often demands that Black fighters engage in excessive trash talk to sell pay-per-views, while highly skilled, quiet fighters like Terence Crawford are often labeled ‘boring’ by casual fans.
  • Summary: Historically, Black fighters have been expected to play a ‘circus role’ to generate sales, whereas quiet, skilled boxers are overlooked by casuals who seek emotional conflict. The UK boxing culture is contrasted, as fans there support their warriors regardless of losses, unlike the American tendency to quickly label a fighter ‘washed’ after a defeat. It is significantly harder to remain undefeated in MMA due to the high number of variables and training injuries compared to boxing.
Riyadh Season’s Impact on Boxing
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(01:48:51)
  • Key Takeaway: The influx of money from Saudi Arabia, specifically through figures like Turki Alalshikh, has revolutionized boxing by forcing promoters to make fights that previously would never have been financially viable.
  • Summary: The current era is exciting because major fights are finally being made across promotional lines, which was impossible before external funding. Turki Alalshikh changed the game by directly approaching fighters with offers that promoters like Top Rank would not match for bouts like Shakur Stevenson vs. T.O. Crawford. This external capital is credited with enabling massive matchups that benefit the sport overall.
External Funding Drives Fights
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(01:49:09)
  • Key Takeaway: Deep-pocketed external entities like those funding ‘Riyadh season’ are necessary to force major fights that established promoters would otherwise avoid due to financial constraints.
  • Summary: Promoters collaborating is attributed to external funding sources like ‘Riyadh season’ and ‘Turkey’ changing the game by offering money promoters would not pay, enabling fights like Shakur vs. T.O. and the Canelo fight for Terence Crawford. This influx of capital is credited with boosting the current rise in boxing’s popularity.
Clarissa Shields’ Star Power
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(01:50:49)
  • Key Takeaway: Clarissa Shields is a unique, transcendent star in women’s boxing, capable of selling out large arenas and bringing broader recognition to the sport.
  • Summary: Clarissa Shields delivered a skillful and ferocious performance, selling out an arena with over 16,000 people as a woman, which is rare in the sport. Her success is seen as potentially encouraging more female stars to emerge, as she transcends boxing recognition outside the sport itself.
Historical Training Discipline
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(01:51:58)
  • Key Takeaway: Elite historical boxers like Marvin Hagler maintained extreme, isolated discipline in training camps, often foregoing comfort to achieve peak physical and mental conditioning.
  • Summary: Marvin Hagler’s training camps involved isolating himself in small towns, running on the beach, and living without distractions like television, sometimes sparring 100 rounds a week. This intense focus ensured no stone was unturned, leading to dominant performances, exemplified by his fight against Mugabi, who hit exceptionally hard. Hagler’s physical resilience was noted, with scans showing extraordinary jaw muscle development from constant clenching.
Training Science and Recovery
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(01:55:48)
  • Key Takeaway: For elite athletes, the mental hurdle of consistent daily training is often greater than the physical act of competing, and incorporating scheduled, complete rest days significantly aids recovery, especially with age.
  • Summary: The ring performance is often the easiest part compared to the mental grind of daily training, and conquering the ‘inner bitch’ leads to peak performance times. Terence Crawford adopted advice from Tim Bradley and Andre Ward to take a full day off weekly instead of just active rest, which tremendously helped recovery as he aged, avoiding the pitfall of overtraining.
Coaching Nuances and Fighter Progression
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(02:00:52)
  • Key Takeaway: A great trainer’s value lies in their ability to observe subtle signs, adjust training loads dynamically to prevent overtraining, and provide specific technical instructions rather than emotional platitudes.
  • Summary: Coaches must know when to pull back training intensity based on visual cues, even if the fighter wants to push harder, preventing the ‘point of diminishing returns’ where drive harms performance. Fighters often reach their prime in their 30s because they finally dial in their conditioning base and learn what their body needs through years of experience. Effective coaching involves providing technical instruction, such as how to set up an opponent, rather than just emotional commands like ‘you got to hit him.’