Then-UFC heavyweight contender Brendan Schaub felt he could outclass one of the greatest fighters of all time immediately after a lopsided defeat before Joe Rogan intervened.
Before moving into comedy and podcasting, Brendan Schaub was a rising heavyweight star on the UFC roster. After reaching the finals of The Ultimate Fighter 10, he garnered attention with a modest career in the Octagon, boasting knockout victories over legendary fighters Mirko Cro Cop and Chris Tuchscherer.
Although Schaub showcased moments hinting at his potential as a title challenger early in his UFC career, he ultimately failed to meet the high expectations set following TUF 10. He suffered four losses in his last six fights, facing devastating knockouts against opponents such as Ben Rothwell and Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira.
Following an unexpected loss to Andrei Arlovski at UFC 174, Schaub squared off with Travis Browne at UFC 181, in a title eliminator match. Minutes into the bout, Browne unleashed a barrage of ground-and-pound strikes in retaliation to Schaub’s pre-fight banter.
Despite enduring back-to-back losses, Schaub displayed unwavering confidence during an episode of The Fighter and the Kid featuring guest Joe Rogan. This episode, which aired just days after UFC 181, quickly turned into an uncomfortable intervention as Rogan and co-host Bryan Callen encouraged Schaub to consider retirement.
Initially, Schaub resisted Rogan’s and Callen’s advice, boldly asserting that he would ‘surprise’ people in a wrestling match against then-UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez. However, Rogan swiftly dismantled Schaub’s claims, emphasizing the chasm in skill between them.
“If you had a wrestling match with Cain Velasquez, how well do you think you’d do? I think you’d be surprised, I think he would f*** you up,” Rogan bluntly told Schaub.
Rogan elaborated that Schaub lacked the necessary skillset to compete with the elite heavyweights of that era, including Velasquez. This moment created an awkward atmosphere for everyone involved, as Rogan dissected Schaub’s career while urging him to step away from fighting.
Towards the conclusion of the episode, Schaub contemplated a potential move to light heavyweight for his next matchup. However, months later, he would announce his retirement from fighting during an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, a decision he has not revisited.
Schaub concluded his professional MMA career with a 10-5 record. Prior to transitioning into this sport, he was a standout college football player at Colorado and had a brief stint with an Arena Football League team.
In the realm of MMA YouTube, Schaub is linked to one of its most infamous moments, which centers around his interactions with Joe Rogan. Despite initial discussions regarding a comeback in Jorge Masvidal’s Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA promotion, talks fell through, leading to ongoing tensions with Nate Diaz while Schaub considers entering a grappling match.
Since his venture into comedy was short-lived, Schaub has carved a niche as a prominent figure in podcasting. He continues to host The Fighter and the Kid along with Callen and has established his own production company, hosting multiple shows, including an MMA analysis podcast.
Rogan and Schaub share a long-standing friendship, with Schaub frequently appearing on Rogan’s podcast over the past year. He is also a regular on Rogan’s Fight Companion episodes, providing live commentary during significant UFC events.
The contentious ‘intervention’ episode of The Fighter and the Kid featuring Rogan and Schaub remains a topic of heated discussion to this day. Rogan played a crucial role in preventing Schaub from facing a harsh realization about Velasquez’s superior wrestling skills.
