Why Dagestan wrestlers are so good | Ben Askren and Lex Fridman

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Ben Askren is a wrestler and MMA fighter, former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight champion, a two-time NCAA wrestling champion and four-time finalist.
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[@kallepikku4991]

It's not just Dagestan. It's the whole Caucasus region. North-Iran, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Dagestan, Ossetia and Chechnya. That small region in the world produces something like 75% of world and olympic champions in wrestling. It's a historically wrestling oriented culture, all the way down to the ancient Persian times. Every boy grows up wrestling, even if he never competes.

[@kallepikku4991]

Funnily enough, Caucasus wrestlers also the reason why International Judo Federation (IJF) changed the rules of Judo around 2000s by banning any "wrestling style takedowns". Coz basically B-class Caucasus wrestlers who couldn't get into their nations A-class wrestling teams, went on to win Judo and Sambo world championships without ever wearing a gi before. It didn't look good for IJF.

[@Deleted55br]

@@kallepikku4991 This story is 1000% bullshit,leg grabs got baned because few people scored with it,they used leg grab moves to stall most of the time,so to make it more dynamic,leg grabs are out,try to do a Double or a single while someone is holding your gi,yep very hard to do

[@06320017]

exactly right, i am from eastern turkey, which is west part of the cacaus

[@justlivelife6612]

better just hope west Africans and African Americans dont fall in love with wrestling 😂 then its over

[@13bfc]

How could you forget Ossetia

[@markfla]

This guy looks like an ancient Roman

[@Moe_Lester96]

Lol

[@user-8fna3m0ga]

He does for real! 😂

[@diddiecapitan2951]

Lex looks like the future

[@jfc5246]

🤣🤣🤣 he fr does

[@asigmanamedligma333]

I was just thinking this before i saw this comment

[@scotthumphrey6477]

“It is one thing to study war and another to live the warriors life.” -Telamon

[@truthseeker96]

This sums it up

[@smoke1215]

I know things in the UFC didn't go great for Ben Askren as far as performances go, but I have grown to really like and respect the guy. He knows how to sell a fight, how to promote himself and how to take a loss. So many people would go into hiding, but not this man, he was online talking about it and owning it the very next day. Just because he lost a fist fight does not discredit him as a great wrestler, public speaker, content creator, interviewer, entrepreneur. Seriously, if there were more people like him, there would be so much less crying and complaining in the world. People that have mastered something actually know how to take criticism and get better from defeat. He is good at it because he has been great at other things. I really appreciate what he has done for the sport and the overall community.

[@scottcannon1383]

It’s sad the ufc have such a strangle hold on exposure for fighters, so many absolute killers get no credit until they hit the ufc, granted Ben isn’t really one of these “killers” but the dude was undefeated in the 2 organisation’s “under” the ufc and then got smoked and somehow lost all his credibility from one single knockout, you look at Anderson Silva who’s got multiple losses and still is credited as one of the greatest, it’s just stupid how many people let storyline’s effect the image of these guys long term diminishing their accomplishments

[@eadc888]

Ben did also arrive to the UFC with a geriatric hip and his best days when he was at Bellator were well behind him. Win or lose, he’s the man.

[@lj362]

well said !

[@smoke1215]

@@eadc888 Absolutely, that's facts.

[@smoke1215]

@@scottcannon1383 I think it has a lot to do with how he promotes the fights. He's so confident that it bothers people that have never been close to that level. They see it as arrogance; however, in actuality he is just positive that if he gets ahold of them, it's over. Which he is 100% correct in having that belief. Look at that Damian Mia fight, I know their striking was bad, but if that man had to work that hard to beat a Ben Askren that was really on one leg as he needed a hip replacement, that really speaks to the level that his technical skill is at. I mean, that was Damian freaking Mia, he's in top 1% of the top 1% of all time MMA submission specialist. On top of that, Ben went out on his shield. He always did too, he would rather go unconscious than quit and he wasn't afraid to take it to that level. He's a warrior that deserves respect.

[@wyattcekalla6335]

Ben’s a really good guy. I’m glad I got to hear him.

[@tysonfuryplays850]

Ben Askren is genuinely an insanely intelligent person, who seems so awesome to just chat to.

[@Chalk89]

Now that I'm older, I'm taking notice to fighters such as Ben, Demetrious Johnson and a few others who have issues with Dana White. It's now obvious, at least to me, that the smarter fighters and White never see eye-to-eye, and it's because they aren't able to be duped by White. No disrespect to White, he has a job to do, but Ben is on another level in terms of IQ and that bothered him significantly.

[@chrisdinke271]

@@Chalk89 alll the disrespect towards that lobster bro

[@bobaphat3676]

wasn't smart enough to perceive that knee.

[@marioiglesias4850]

@@Chalk89 anyone who´s seen Masvidal ko knows Ben Askren IQ is very low seeing some running towards u and dipping your head is a movement of a very unintelligent person

[@mrbrightside9609]

@@bobaphat3676 Damn bro you got the whole squad laughing 😐😐😐

[@kevinconroy3259]

It's the same reason Brazilians were so good at football everyone in their country played it and did with rocks and stones. Diversity and a passion for a particular sport creates athletes. Similar to Thailand creating the best kickboxers their bread from young their legs are like bamboo

[@FatJackedNerd]

India and Pakistan are identical in terms of condition and genetics, Yet Pakistan produce plethora of fast bowlers (it's like pitcher of baseball)...

[@kevinconroy3259]

@@FatJackedNerd Mike tyson a similar thing. New York was in the midst of the crack era mike had a troubled life and cus d'amato created a monster.

[@ShiNooBi1986]

NZ and Rugby

[@davex9506]

Love all your podcasts but , being a former wrestler, really appreciated this one.

[@anthonyreed480]

That's fascinating. Tell us all about it.

[@shineed9747]

You mean a no famous washed up wrestler wannabe?

[@davex9506]

@@shineed9747 I wrestled in high school and college. True, I didn't win an NCAA tournament but I'm a successful physician now so not a complete wash.

[@VinylUnboxings]

Imagine being as miserable as Shinee D

[@samuelgardner5939]

When you watch Satiev wrestle (go to his highlight films) you can see him score with a ridiculously wide range of holds. He could throw from several ties, he could leg attack to either side, he could "carry" using a a variety of sets ups and arm controls, he could counter, he could scramble, and he could turn from the top position using laces and different types of guts. And these weren't just 'one-off' techniques. You'd see him hit the entire range over and over The diversity of his attacks is what lifts him to that other level of greatness. John Smith scored a ton too, but off of a low single, high crotch, good defense, and a good leg lace. Burroughs is an all-timer too, but it is double, double to single, re-attack, and a lace. Amazing to watch, but "predictable" to a degree (good luck stopping him). Satiev could and would do everything and it would work.

[@jesiah391]

Burroughs destroys Satiev

[@marcdejong929]

@@jesiah391 this comment proves you know nothing about wrestling or Saitiev.

[@ghgzree9984]

Fun fact: Saitiev is chechen, just like Khamzat Chimaev.

[@АдьянЦеренов-ю2п]

@@jesiah391 What about Geduev?

[@jamescanning5253]

He's sooooo over rated

[@scrabbledmind]

i guess training in those high mountains will give you cardio for weeks - at least when you come to Vegas or Florida and fight;) .... or closer to the ocean, in general

[@Q_QQ_Q]

Not high lol

[@shashishekhar----]

@@Q_QQ_Q it is high lol what are on lmao

[@TFBx]

Lower elevation is what you’re looking for

[@smoke1215]

rest in peace Cain Velasquez

[@lh2823]

Dagestan actually has the Highest Human Settlements in Europe

[@hugonongbri8100]

1. They wrestle bears 2. Training at high altitudes 3. They wrestle the best since early age 4. That cool ass beard

[@AM-ry8is]

also... steroids and state-sponsored doping

[@QwertAsdfg-ih1ow]

​@@AM-ry8isSame as USA..

[@JarrenHunt]

I find it fascinating all the camps or people that the laymen thinks ‘go hard’ are actually the most frequent light drillers. Dagi with wrestling. CKB with striking is another good example.

[@JJ-ud1xr]

Muay Thai sparring is very very light also

[@intothecountry74]

Ben pretty much lays it out there. Elite American wrestlers are able to make a proper living now. It’s reflected in our current crop of athletes. Close and getting closer to being the best in the world.

[@rageoid]

Ben seems like a championship human, need more of him.

[@MichaelMichaelMotorcycles]

He is

[@Themindofreyrey]

The book is called, The Talent Code, by Daniel Coyle. A must read!

[@superheaton]

Elite muay thai guys in Thailand do a lot light sparring as well. Israel adesanya or was it Joe Rogan mentioned it

[@AroundElvesWatchUrselves96]

Gabriel Varga already debunked this.

[@sebastianamaro9788]

I believe it was firas zahabi on jre

[@sidewinder9258]

@@sebastianamaro9788 yeah it's firas zahabi abt how the cuban/Russian wrestlers are superior to American wrestlers!

[@yaboisquacks2495]

Dagestan is the modern day Sparta but for combat sports.

[@draco_1876]

Except Dagestani people can actually fight

[@xnoybis9967]

@@draco_1876 so could Spartans. Jesus

[@overland1178]

@@xnoybis9967 Debatable

[@hidum5779]

spartans are overrated

[@xnoybis9967]

@@hidum5779 Not at all.

[@Tytghbgdex356]

Looks like they both just woke up

[@franco912]

Same thing for Thailand and Muay Thai, training and discipline taught at an early age, a way to get of out of poverty for yourself and your family.

[@hillbillymods2866]

It's sad how many armchair warriors will remember Ben. Defined in five seconds and fake trash talk to hype his fight. He was a phenomenal wrestler, Bellator champ, a ONE champ, and made it to the UFC. Not a pioneer but another talent that showed the power of wrestling.

[@maxzandberg4872]

It's a social aspect in Dagestan. All boys wrestling...period.

[@Jomar1863]

Ben Askren was 18:0 with accomplishments: 5x Bellator Welterweight Champion 5 x ONE Welterweight Champion Unfortunately his UFC route did not went like he wanted to. Was on a very good way to become an generational great with his accomplishments

[@MafuHardy]

It was a little bit late for him. But there's no doubt he was dominating other organizations. Dana only accepted him in to the UFC knowing that he was past his absolute prime. He was set up to fail in the UFC,but it was a blast to see him there. As you say, humble, but knew how to sell a fight.

[@mattyb567567]

Good too see Mr.Askren has finally regained consciousness.

[@agi2160]

Never heard that one before. Amazing 👏

[@mattyb567567]

@@agi2160 Thanks,your mom told me it.

[@agi2160]

@@mattyb567567 Really scraping the bottom of the barrel. Good job 👍

[@conorm8810]

@@agi2160 she told me too. Must have kept it from you.

[@agi2160]

@@conorm8810 🥴

[@alphah5949]

You are the average of the people you are surrounded with. Hence to be the best, you need be among the best.

[@CB-dl1vg]

Those cultures have deep roots in grappling sports dating back thousands of years

[@sirarungasal3732]

Wow Ben nice insight from Ben he is very good actually

[@Martialxhaki]

I think the guy that asked the question did a better job at answering it than Ben lol Those Dagestan wrestlers are real special. So they get compensated very well in wrestling and focus mostly technique. Basically they’re more motivated and train smarter and consistently’ then they crush everyone. I want to know what’s there training routine like

[@innosanto]

Is not only Dagestan also Armenia Georgia and other places in the region

[@Fuzzybunny-ki1cw]

the moment you realize that you are bored off your ass and really would like to go home : 1:57

[@Woodsaras]

Thats why i dont like his podcast in general. The dude is always dead and dry.

[@AguyR1401]

​@@WoodsarasHe's an industry plant. His podcast did not achieve a high profile based on merit.

[@Woodsaras]

@@AguyR1401 i mean, i like the guests etc. I still watch him, I understand him. He's got some good questions once in a while. But overall still, he just doesn't tickle me.

[@AguyR1401]

@@Woodsaras How did an otherwise boring individual, with a monotone voice and mediocre interview skills, manage to score interviews with such high profile guests so early in his show's lifespan? Some trickery is afoot in this regard.

[@Woodsaras]

@@AguyR1401 No idea. And I don't really care.

[@seanwallace89]

Not going to acknowledge the fact that they are mostly devout Muslims, and the immense advantages to wrestling when strict discipline can be achieved. They also cut a massive amount of weight, and often fight two weight classes below their walking weight... I would guess that seasons like Ramadan and their fasting likely doesn't hurt their ability to cut weight and endure awkward mental and physical discomfort.

[@momcilojabucilo9320]

Best wrestlers in World are from eusiian caucasis republic ossetia and they are Christian’s

[@pogchamp9512]

Saitiev is Chechen and a national hero. Please stop confusing him for a Dagestani.

[@MegaLaban12345]

Not Chechen.

[@pogchamp9512]

@@MegaLaban12345 look it up if you don't believe me

[@Q_QQ_Q]

Chechen born but now Dagestani

[@624697]

They are all the same.

[@mouthman642]

@@Q_QQ_Q I used to be black but now I'm white.

[@ndiluso]

So basically, he doesn't know specifically..

[@brownjatt21]

He knows and he answered. He didn't go into great detail but he kinda mentioned at it. Tradition, popular with youth, money, tough upbringings etc. It's like in the US with basketball and football with certain communities(black people) the so called hoop dream. Every kid wants to go pro and make it out the hood and there is a tradition there. Wrestling in the US is a niche sport you could say in most the country. Yes few states where it's very popular but most of the country the best athletes play basketball, football, baseball, hockey, soccer, track n field etc. In dagestan and the Caucasus countries wrestling is the #1 sport that most wanna be great at.

[@badrmoubile9219]

Lex is such an OG, he got an interview with Julius Ceasar

[@stonedphilosopherza4915]

I would pay such good money to watch a wrestling match between Khabib and Ben, that would be brilliant!

[@albolvo]

"It's better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war" unknown via Joe Rogan

[@MrManda007]

Art Of War Sun Tzu

[@CoolAdam247]

You're a disgrace for crediting Joe Rogan with a Sun Tzu quote.

[@DonyeWump520]

“Tis better to cum in the sink than to sink in the cum” Art of War - Sun Tzu

[@ottallahajarmeh2053]

This is sun tzu

[@albolvo]

@@CoolAdam247 you don't know Joe Rogan is Sun Tzu? Did you see him dismantle Gupta from CNN?

[@dixonbuttes]

Dude I didn’t know Funky was on this podcast! Awesome

[@cheegum6296]

When you grow up on elevation your lungs get used to very minimal oxygen. Living on a mountain you're always either going up or down. That gives you legs of steel. To us low class sea level dwellers you become a mountain god. Interesting how all the greek gods Adonis and them all lived on Mount Olympus. Lack of first world luxuries makes you a bit of a hard nut to crack too. And then there's the culture of extreme respect.

[@cheegum6296]

@רחבעם spoken like a sea level hooman

[@AN-hv1vm]

Interesting to hear that the Dags don't go full bore with their sparring. I thought it would be a madhouse in those gyms

[@olbaprabocse9940]

Focus on technique... Thats the difference.

[@brownjatt21]

Yea it's actually the opposite. American wrestling is known for being super hard-nosed and all out, having great conditioning etc whereas Russian wrestlers were always the better technicians and less of brutes. It's changing now though but it was like that for years.

[@MiguelReyes0312]

Curacao in baseball???? Dominican Republic: hold my bat.

[@MusicNinja12345]

For real. Pretty much any country over there would be over curaçao LOL. Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Cuba, even Mexico would all be above curaçao

[@James.1_2-3]

Why the hell does he do this with his face at 1:59 ????

[@S4MBONE]

Yeah it's simple science. Oxygen is less available at higher altitudes, so your body becomes more efficient. Then you combine that with Dagestani combat education, which is essentially a spartan training brotherhood lifestyle where you spar with person after person. Khabib would go with several guys in a row in order to tire each one out, beat all of them for his workout. Just beat five of the best Dagestani competitors every day for a lifetime at high altitude. They train to hold you down with just their legs for 25 minutes so their hands are free to punch you. Khabib has dense wrestlers strength and is built like a chimpanzee.

[@jame2182]

Exactly

[@DESHONERAY93]

Who wins gold in the Olympics, and worl championships

[@downsouth5971]

Great guest, well done.

[@TheVinceLyons]

San Basilio de Palenque Colombia. Tiny village that's put out some good boxers.

[@Ajax4470]

Altitude prob helps

[@zakariabenhirt3181]

Damn he's look's like an ancient Greek from Sparta

[@natzee4u405]

who is the "tired man" ben askren talking with???

[@tru3dialect]

Wrestling bears as a child should help

[@3sidesofeve711]

Love Ben

[@justanna2141]

It's funny because we almost never say spar. We say go live.

[@GeorgioArmoni]

Sparring is for striking arts then?

[@creates100]

Because they wrestle bears?

[@iskenderryskulov3452]

So much respect for Ben not blaming roid use and shit like Jordan B.

[@magbear3205]

Saitiev is Chechen not Dagestan. Лекс для многих дагестанцев борьба это социальный лифт, как и армия. Плюс мускулиная культура делает боевые искусства, очень распространеными среди людей.

[@jeremyjordan6786]

Khabib vs Askren was a dream matchup

[@greenapple5280]

because they don’t shoot into a flying knee

[@swagkachu3784]

Its in their culture. Why do you think brazil and germany got the historicaly greatest football teams? Its because football has deep roots in their culture

[@RRRRobbbb]

The answer is bears.

[@ErlendSolbue]

Pleeease do Khabib

[@fullmetal1766]

That book is missing Jamaica and sprinting an island of 4 million people absolutely dominate the world and even the sprinters from other countries that win half the time are Jamaican

[@GXOUT]

Proof that he took a dive on the Paul vs askeww. Money 💰 🤑

[@Y0utub3me]

Lex look like he wanna throw a flying knee, go home and have a modelooOOOOHHHH 1:56

[@gilmaman7682]

Why is lex fighting to stay awake

[@bomilly3106]

Lex speaks Russian? How has he never mentioned that before?

[@jamalmushtaq]

He has

[@anms2023]

He and Vitalik Buterin spoke a little Russian during their episode

[@mathewg1747]

He spoke it before too

[@StiffWrangler]

xD got em'

[@Jacobson47]

russian jews

[@adm7812]

the fascinating thing about dagestan is like "me and my brothers". He has no idea and little input on what Lex is asking. He is little too Murica.

[@juanb7808]

It’s those bathes man

[@AntoneTomasi]

Because they have no escape beside that to make good decent money . Plus in the time of URSS the région have been choosen to find wrestler because of their physic who is good for the spécifics of the disciplin.

[@marksibley4546]

Ben Askren stud wrestler very good fighter

[@ericwalsh2954]

Combat sports programs in schools would solve 99% of issues we have I'm society

[@smoke1215]

True, you can always tell who has never been punched in the face by how aggressive they are and how much they think they want to fight. People that have been in a lot of fights or gone through a lot of bullying/beatings want nothing to do with violence or hurting people if they can avoid it. The one's that are the most eager to engage in violence are really just ignorant to the reality of the consequences, usually from a major lack in experience. Everyone thinks that they are just going to sidestep the punch and knock the guy out, then BOOM lights out. Everything happens a lot faster when you aren't watching from the sideline or through a screen.

[@fp8901]

Every war in human history starts with EXPERIENCED soldiers who have gone through war before. Less violence = less war.

[@ars7714]

Buvaisar Saitiev (+Adam Saitiev) from Chechnya, Sidakov - from Ossetien, no Dagestanis. Its Nord-Causasus (Russia´s Republics)

[@mccgyell]

Buvaisar is Chechen, but he was born in Dagestan

[@speroskoufis7505]

Awesome

[@user-pe8jm4um8w]

Buvaisar Saitiev is a Chechen

[@MrSilus2000]

The answer goes back to the USSR and their regimented athletics program. Same one Cuba used.

[@stormedbyhippiesc3966]

Legend

[@Ray-e7b]

There are lot of Dagestani coming out. What we see just tip of the iceberg. Their belief and environment shape them.

[@Majnun74]

Torturing children into being elite athletes… That’s how you do it🏁

[@adamwilson6]

Go home.

[@Fer1612M]

It's better still that the other option that is join the army and die in war

[@somdutroy]

Either that or they get forced into joining extremist militia group from childhood.

[@andreasvinatzer902]

sad but true.. lol

[@slartibartfast7921]

@@adamwilson6 We are home

[@syed269]

They do it since birth thats why

[@Mikamichae]

The thumbnail is depressing

[@rhaegar2138]

khabiiiiiiib GOAT

[@MichaelJames707]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@6aloolq8]

🦅

[@filthycasualfilms]

This guy looks burnt out.

[@MA-gf3ko]

But why is ufc still allowing Russians to fight in the cage when every other sport removed or banned Russia

[@views-nn6hm]

Seethe

[@hasan0770816268]

They both look like they want to go to sleep lol

[@6AlphaMikeCharlie9]

Uniquely Qualified? not a very Humble brag right there. A second language is nothing special when your family speak it.

[@tryitout-701]

Is it me or Ben is slurring his words a bit?

[@SuperChillTunes]

Nah, he sounds like regular Ben. Sounds tired but not slurring words.

[@anms2023]

That's regular Ben talking + little bit of head trauma from MMA

[@grevengriff8609]

Jake Paul must have hit him really hard

[@anms2023]

@@grevengriff8609 Go watch Ben Askren vs Masvidal

[@somdutroy]

He always had a speech impediment. Even in his college days.

[@BradyMartinOfficial]

Is lex just sleepy all the time? Why does he seem so blah all the time?

[@perryperryprince3242]

Good to see Masvidal’s son doing well.

[@abelvalente1425]

I’d love to have him as a wrestling coach. Austrian combat sport is just pathetic

[@AhmedulAttar]

you must also know the history of that region .. people there have a history fighting Russians and now they are occupied by Russia and I think on one there could speak about that freely .. they tried to be free many times

[@patricklutherwinchester4260]

So many other countries are so much better at wrestling than USA.

[@bruceparker6142]

Khabib v Ben. Make it happen.

[@nikorootful]

Instead of explaining the concepts in the book and how they relate to Dagestani wrestling Ben goes “I read book one time”

[@akshaysahay9939]

Bajrang punia

[@dahnawa1839]

Ben who??

[@GurgleThaGobbo]

Lex is putting himself to sleep lol

[@snufflebunns3901]

this the guy jake paul smashed?

[@clerictamer]

They make them tired, and then smesh

[@andcch4717]

Its either wrestle n get out or stay there and inbreed

[@chezbizo]

Dagestan is Salusa Secundus

[@jacktinney]

Ben sounds like he can’t breathe out of his nose

[@JohnnySnipshow]

The lazy demeanour of this interviewer is so effing annoying