Joe Rogan recalls intense training atmosphere at Ken Shamrock's Lion's Den gym: 'They would try to break you'
AUSTIN, TEXAS: In a recent episode of 'The Joe Rogan Experience', Joe Rogan delved into the intense atmosphere of Ken Shamrock's Lion's Den gym during its heyday.
The longtime UFC commentator also shared insights about the legendary gym's training sessions and the impact it had on fighters' mental toughness and conditioning.
Joe Rogan shares a glimpse into Ken Shamrock's Lion's Den gym
During the conversation with The Rock, Joe Rogan highlighted the difficulty of joining the Lion's Den, emphasizing the rigorous training sessions aimed at pushing fighters to their limits.
He recounted Shamrock's approach, noting, "It [Lion's Den] was one of the most difficult teams to join...they would try to break you. And he [Ken Shamrock] would just try to let you know the worst thing you want to be in a fight is tired and you are going to get tired as f**k training with us so that the fight's gonna be easy."
Rogan acknowledged the success of the Lion's Den training method, attributing it to the many champions it produced. He specifically praised UFC Hall of Famer Frank Shamrock, Ken's brother, as an exemplar of the Lion's Den approach, emphasizing Frank's status as one of the first complete MMA fighters.
"He [Frank Shamrock] was one of the very best complete MMA fighters. In my opinion, the first truly complete MMA fighter we saw and a guy with insane cardio. And that was one of the things about Frank is that he could just f**king go forever."
In addition to discussing the Lion's Den, Rogan shared his perspective on the adaptability of early UFC champions to the modern era.
He suggested that champions like Frank Shamrock, Ken Shamrock, and Royce Gracie would rise to the challenges of today's MMA landscape, citing their champion mindset and adaptability to changing circumstances.
Dwayne Johnson contemplated an MMA career during the early days of his WWE career
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, renowned for his success in professional wrestling and Hollywood, revealed on Joe Rogan's podcast that he considered pursuing a career in mixed martial arts (MMA) during the early stages of his WWE career.
Reflecting on his early years in WWE, The Rock acknowledged that the initial phase of his wrestling journey wasn't as glamorous as later years. In 1997, feeling uncertain about his future in the wrestling business, he explored alternative paths, including the possibility of transitioning to MMA.
At the time, Pride FC, a prominent MMA organization based in Japan, had recently opened its doors. The allure of higher earnings and the prospect of a different career path intrigued him.
He noted the financial disparity, with MMA fighters earning substantial amounts compared to his wrestling income of $150,000 for a demanding schedule of 235 days a year.
Intrigued by the potential in MMA, The Rock engaged in conversations with notable figures like Ken Shamrock and Mark Kerr, who provided insights into the world of Pride FC.
He envisioned the opportunity to join MMA as it would let him earn significant money without the need for the performative aspects associated with professional wrestling.
