“Oh they make rubber ones?” Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson reveals to Joe Rogan hurting himself with metal nunchaku after Bruce Lee’s influence

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson reminisces about trying to imitate Bruce Lee with nunchucks as a kid and discusses Lee's iconic status in martial arts and movies.

“Oh they make rubber ones?” Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson reveals to Joe Rogan hurting himself with metal nunchaku after Bruce Lee’s influence

Joe Rogan and Dwayne Johnson discuss Bruce Lee (Image via: X/Bruce Lee, YouTube/JRE Clips)

Bruce Lee is one of the most iconic figures in the world of martial arts. Many have viewed him as the first Mixed Martial Artist. Many, including UFC CEO Dana White and UFC commentator Joe Rogan, are big fans of Lee. Dwayne Johnson recently appeared on the Joe Rogan Experience.

Apparently, “The Rock” himself was a big fan of the pioneer. Johnson had an interesting story to tell about Lee. This is what he told Rogan:

Everyone thought they were Bruce Lee, by the way. I remember getting my first pair of nunchucks, but I had hit myself on the back of the head enough times that I was like, 'Oh, they make rubber ones that you're supposed to learn with.' Dude, I did that.
Dwayne Johnson via JRE
YouTube video

In addition to being a movie star, Lee was a big inspiration for martial artists and action movie stars worldwide. Even after his death 50 years ago, people still watch his movies with admiration and inspiration. The UFC CEO Dana White even told comedian Theo Von to watch the movie in his recent appearance on the comedian’s podcast.

FS Video

Many MMA fighters view the legend in a bright light. Lee was the hero of former UFC title challenger Kenny Florian when he grew up. Former WEC champion and UFC title challenger Urijah Faber believed that Lee brought the cool factor to martial arts.

UFC legend and movie star Randy Couture even hurt himself to be like Lee. Former Bellator champion and UFC title challenger Michael Chandler considers Bruce Lee as the original legend of MMA. Bellator CEO Scott Coker has said that Lee was fifty years ahead of his time.

Joe Rogan believes that Bruce Lee was the first true Mixed Martial Artist

In his podcast episode with Dwayne Johnson, Joe Rogan and Johnson discussed Bruce Lee in-depth. Johnson is now one of the most famous action movie stars in Hollywood. Lee was the pioneer of using martial arts in movies. He was the first Asian superstar in Hollywood.

Joe Rogan on Bruce Lee being the first MMA fighter
Joe Rogan on Bruce Lee being the first MMA fighter (Image via: IMAGO, X/Bruce Lee)

Before his comedy career, Joe Rogan was a kickboxer and taekwondo specialist. He was a big fan of Bruce Lee. Rogan even considered him the first true Mixed Martial Artist. This is what he said about Lee being the first Mixed Martial Artist:

He taught that philosophy, and that philosophy eventually became mixed martial arts. Bruce Lee was the first true mixed martial artist because he was the first true Guru that was shouting it from the top of the hills to use everything that's useful from all styles and put it together.
Joe Rogan via JRE

Lee was the first to suggest the idea of mixing different styles at a time when it was taboo. Moreover, disciples of a martial art were forbidden from learning other forms. Furthermore, it was disrespectful if someone tried to do so. Lee faced significant pushback for his actions during his time. Nevertheless, he broke barriers and still is fondly remembered for his services to the art of combat.

In case you missed it!