Brendan Schaub: 'If I do fight again, it's not for me – it's for the fans'

Brendan Schaub

After seven years as a professional fighter, including six in the UFC’s octagon, heavyweight Brendan Schaub is leaning toward retirement and said “if I do fight again, it’s not for me – it’s for the fans.”

Schaub (10-5 MMA, 6-5 UFC), who’s lost his past two in the UFC, said he gets the same rush as the co-host of a popular podcast with comedian Bryan Callen as he does from fighting and said he isn’t thrilled about the prospect of preparing for a bout.

“Let’s say (the UFC) offered me Quentin ‘Rampage’ Jackson,” said Schaub, who most recently was stopped by Travis Browne (17-2-1 MMA, 8-2-1 UFC) via TKO at UFC 181. “For me to jump into camp right now would be tough, man. I know Callen wouldn’t be happy; I know FOX wouldn’t be happy, because then I’m going to have to take away from what we’re doing.”

The veteran of “The Ultimate Fighter 10” also admitted for the first time that he has always been “terrified” fighting in the cage.

“I don’t miss being in the octagon,” Schaub said. “I don’t. I was always terrified when I fought. I miss the training camp. I miss the walkout. I don’t miss being in the octagon. I mean, like my fight with Matt Mitrione where I was in and out, submitted him, didn’t get touched, that was great. If they all went like that, I’ll fight for 30 years.

Brendan Schaub

“But when you talk about the (Andrei) Arlovski fight, the (Mirko) ‘Cro Cop’ (Filipovic) fight, the (Antonio Rodrigo) Nogueira fight, that Travis Browne fight, you can keep that. Guess who that’s for? Nobody.”

Schaub holds an overall 6-5 record in the promotion. He joined the roster after a failed bid on “TUF 10” and once put together a four-fight winning streak following a pair of knockout losses to Nogueira and Ben Rothwell that led to questions of an early retirement.

Earlier this year, Schaub’s longtime friend, UFC commentator Joe Rogan, confronted the fighter on his podcast and said he couldn’t compete at the highest levels of the sport.

Later on the “The Fighter and the Kid” podcast he co-hosts with Callen, Schaub said he tried not to cry during his interview and said that while there were “some decisions that need to be made,” he felt he could still compete.

“I’d rather live my life for 50 years being a warrior than 100 years being a frickin’ gazelle, just being a peasant,” he said. “That being said, I feel like … I have a duty to make some X-men babies. When I think about concussions, that bothers me down the road. Am I going to have a stutter? Am I going to be able to play with my kids? But to say I can’t compete at this level because I think of this stuff, that isn’t true.”

On Monday, however, Schaub said his success in the media has caused him to rethink his dedication to professional fighting. He said he recently signed an extension with FOX for “The Fighter and the Kid” and could segue into TV through the show.

“Life is good not getting punched in the face,” he said. “I was that kid who had to fight for a paycheck and there’s no plan B. You don’t want to fight that guy when you’re sleeping in satin sheets. Because if he needs that other half of his paycheck to beat me, the going gets rough. I’m not stupid. It’s trouble, especially in the light heavyweight or heavyweight division.”

At the same time, Schaub acknowledged his struggle to contain his competitive urges, particularly when thinking about the prospect of hanging up his gloves forever.

“You feel like a failure because you didn’t get the belt,” he said. “I didn’t start this just to be a guy. So a part of me is like, god damn it. I watched (Antonio) ‘Bigfoot’ (Silva) and Soa Palelei the other night, and me being a competitor, I’d beat both of those guys in the same night, right now.

“But to say that (my career) wasn’t a success, man, I’ve had a great run.”

Schaub, who also addressed the UFC’s business practices in an extended interview, said he recently turned down a public appearance because he didn’t want to answer questions about his career.

“For me, I love competition, and I miss being camp,” he said. “But I’m going to have to take some time away and step away from the game. If I do fight again, it’s not for me – it’s for the fans. I feel like I owe it to them.”

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