Joe Rogan Jiu Jitsu: Why the Black Belt loves BJJ + Best Podcasts
Joe Rogan is a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu that has inspired many people to pick up BJJ in the recent years. It is fair to say that he is one of the most influential figures in BJJ today.
The celebrity, fighter, commentator, comedian, and podcast host received two Black Belts in Jiu Jitsu, one for each No-Gi and Gi Jiu Jitsu. He has been training for almost 30 years now and doesn’t plan on stopping.
Check out Part 1 of our YouTube BJJ Celebrities Series which covers Joe Rogan’s complete Jiu Jitsu journey:
Joe Rogan BJJ FAQ
Everything you need to know about Joe Rogan’s Jiu Jitsu Journey:
Joe Rogan’s Martial Arts and BJJ Journey
Joe Rogan had plenty of experience in other martial arts before he got into Jiu Jitsu. Let’s see how it all started for him:
Joe Rogan’s Path to BJJ
Joe started training martial arts very early in his life as a teenager. He enjoyed the mutual respect on the mats and felt respected for his talent in martial arts.
On his podcast he talked about the first experience that sparked his interest in grappling martial arts:
When he was in high school, he got into a fight and was put on his back. Since he had only practiced striking to this point, he didn’t know how to defend himself or fight back from this position. He felt helpless. This incident got him into wrestling.
In the following years Joe actively competed in martial arts and took part in more than 100 competitive fights in Taekwondo and Kickboxing.
After years of training and competing in Taekwondo, Kickboxing and Wrestling, Joe had the second experience that sparked his interest in grappling, especially Brazilian Jiu Jitsu:
Joe witnessing Royce Gracie dominating the competitors at UFC 2 by using Jiu Jitsu. He realized that a complete martial artist must master both: striking and grappling.
It didn’t take long until he started training BJJ himself under Carlson Gracie at his school in Hollywood. He was blessed with training under legendary Jiu Jitsu fighters like Carlson and his brother Rickson Gracie.
Joe Rogan’s BJJ Training Journey
Joe often described his first steps in Jiu Jitsu as humbling as he was overrun by higher belts in the beginning although he already was a seasoned martial artist at this point.
However, he kept training and made the first step in the BJJ belt rankings around the year 2000 when he received his Blue Belt. It didn’t take to long for him to earn his Purple Belt through master Jean Jacques Machado in 2002.
After progressing fairly quickly through the first BJJ Belt Ranks, Joe stayed a Brown Belt for 8 years! He was very busy at the time and didn’t find time to train consistently. However, he never stopped training as martial arts are a deep-rooted passion for him.
The next stop in Joe Rogan’s Jiu Jitsu journey was Eddie Bravo’s 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu. Joe got to know Eddie very early in his career and knew him before he even started 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu. The two became good friends and training partners.
Over the years Eddie had made a name for himself with his new system of No-Gi Jiu Jitsu taught at 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu. His style of Jiu Jitsu was further legitimized when he defeated Royler Gracie at ADCC 2003.
Joe was now training under Eddie Bravo, the man who defeated Royler Gracie, the brother of Royce Gracie, who initially inspired Joe to start training BJJ.
In 2013 Joe Rogan received his Black Belt in No Gi Jiu Jitsu under Eddie Bravo:
He was given his Black Belt in Gi Jiu Jitsu though Jean Jacques Machado:
How good is Joe Rogan at Jiu Jitsu?
Unfortunately, we personally never had the chance to roll with Joe. However, Jean Jacques Machado, a BJJ Coral Belt and Joe Rogan’s coach, already answered the question for us. He states:
“Come to my school anytime and Joe Rogan shows up. He’s one of the hardest training students and training partners that I have.”
“I never give a belt to anybody, unless they deserve the belt.”
When talking about Joe’s pain tolerance and dedication he states:
“He’s one of the strongest motherfuckers I had in my school.”
Joe Rogan Jiu Jitsu Quotes
According to Joe, training BJJ offers many benefits:
- Confidence Boost:
On the Joe Rogan Experience Podcast #1283 with Russell Brand Joe talks about developing confidence through martial arts and states: “It was the first thing that I did where I didn’t feel like a loser. It was the first thing that I did where people respected me and they liked me for it.” - Staying a student to keep learning:
“I always have questions, the journey is never over.” - Humility:
“That humbling is very good for you. I don’t know how many times I’ve been tapped out in my life, probably more than 1000 times.” - Integrity:
“Anyone that gives out a bad belt, it’s very bad for their integrity. The art form has a self-correcting aspect to it. When you roll and sparr with each other your ability or lack of ability is exposed.”
Quotes from Joe Rogan Podcast #1188 with Lex Fridman:
- “There’s no lucky Triangle Chokes in Jiu Jitsu.”
- “My experience with Jiu jitsu was very humbling when I started out. A guy who was my size and he was close to my age just mauled me. He was a Purple Belt and just destroyed me.”
- “A small person who knows technique can beat a big person who doesn’t know technique.”
A few comments Joe Rogan made on Podcast #1280 with Michael Yo:
- “There are guys that are weaker than me, smaller than me and tap me every time I roll with them and I’m a Black Belt.”
- “There are advantages to every frame.”
Best Joe Rogan Jiu Jitsu Podcasts
We listed some of the best Joe Rogan Jiu Jitsu podcast for you and prepared some clips to get a taste:
JRE MMA Show #114 with Rickson Gracie (2021)
Rickson Gracie is considered the best BJJ competitor of his time. He is a living legend and coached Joe Rogan in his earlier Jiu jitsu days.
JRE MMA Show #73 with Jean Jacques Machado (2019)
Jean is Joe Rogan’s coach today and gave him his Black Belt in Gi Jiu Jitsu.
JRE MMA Show #6 with Eddie Bravo (2018)
Joe having a nice discussion with his good friend and coach Eddie Bravo.
JRE MMA Show #111 with John Danaher (2020)
JRE MMA Show #109 and #129 with Gordon Ryan (2021)
A podcast with the GOAT Gordon Ryan is always interesting.
JRE MMA Show # 110 with Craig Jones (2021)
And finally, a podcast with the man who usually places second, Craig Jones.
Conclusion
Joe Rogan is one of the most influential figures in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and martial arts in general today. With the biggest podcast in the world and a worldwide following he plays a big role in bringing Jiu Jitsu to the masses.
As a BJJ Black Belt himself he stays humble and often states that there is still much to learn. He loves martial arts in general and is very knowledgeable in that regard, which is why he is the perfect fit for a UFC commentator.
We wish him all the best for the future and hope he stays healthy and injury free for many years to come.
Check out our complete list of BJJ celebrities:
Complete List of Celebrities that do BJJ
Which stars do Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?
Which belt ranks are the celebrities?
Tom Hardy | Keanu Reeves | Jason Statham | Ed O’Neill | Demi Lovato | Russell Brand | Maynard James Keenan | Ashton Kutcher | Guy Ritchie | Jonah Hill | Joe Rogan | Chuck Norris | Jason Momoa | Mario Lopez | Joey Diaz | Jim Carrey | Henry Cavill | Charlie Hunnam | Millie Bobby Brown | Shaquille O’Neal | Dave Bautista | Vin Diesel | Robert Pattinson | Kelly Slater
