Comedian and actor Kevin James has showcased a hidden talent that extends far beyond his comedic prowess. Joe Rogan shed light on James’ unexpected passion for combat sports.
Rogan, reflecting on his early days in entertainment, shared that he and James used to spend time together in their twenties, bonding over their mutual interest in martial arts. The two would often watch Pancrase and early K-1 matches, highlighting James’ long-standing enthusiasm for the sport.
“Kevin is a serious martial artist,” Rogan emphasized. “People don’t realize that. He can hit, man. He’s got power.” Coming from Rogan, who himself boasts an extensive background in various martial arts disciplines, this endorsement carries significant weight.
Despite his success in the entertainment industry, including winning People’s Choice Awards for “Kevin Can Wait” and receiving Primetime Emmy Award nominations, James has kept this aspect of his life relatively private. His martial arts journey has largely remained under the radar, overshadowed by his comedic roles and collaborations with Adam Sandler.
However, James himself maintains a humble perspective on his abilities, particularly when compared to professional MMA stars. In an interview a little while back, James discussed a hypothetical matchup with \former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey. With characteristic humor, he quipped, “I really don’t. I’m gonna be honest, I don’t make it out of the locker room. Because if I pass a hotdog cart, I make a quick hard right, and I’m not even getting in the cage.”
James further elaborated on the potential outcome of such an encounter: “I would be on my back so fast. No, I wouldn’t want to mess with Ronda Rousey. She would crush me. And by the way, I’ve seen her hitting mitts too, so she’s nasty. Yeah, she’s everywhere. There’s nowhere to go with Ronda.”
This self-deprecating humor, combined with his genuine respect for professional athletes like Rousey, showcases James’ down-to-earth personality.
James’ martial arts background adds an intriguing layer to his public persona, demonstrating that there’s more to the actor than his comedic talents.
