By Joyce Lynda Valdes
MMA Fix is back with 10 Questions. This time UFC Heavyweight, Brendan Schaub takes time to answer in his own written words, questions on his speculated fight with Frank Mir, his thoughts on Brock Lesnar proving size isn’t enough, Fedor Emelianenko in the UFC, and how he knew when Gabriel Gonzaga was in trouble with his “eyes rolling back” during their UFC 121 fight. Gonzaga has since been cut from the UFC promotion.
1. Congratulations on your UFC 121 victory over Gabriel Gonzaga. What was your biggest challenge with Gonzaga? Have you looked back at the fight and seen a way you could have finished him?
BS: Biggest challenge I had with Gonzaga was his leg kicks, I worked on countering his leg kicks all camp and I had success doing that early in the fight but after a while he landed a couple of good ones..dude kicks like a monster. In regards to finishing him if I had 10 more secs in the 1st rd when I dropped him it would of been over. I could tell he was in trouble from his eyes rolling back.
2. You have said your last couples of fights were unsatisfying, perhaps because your TKO victories came within seconds of the first round. Your bout with Gonzaga was a full three round brawl leading to a Unanimous Decision. Let’s switch the tables though, what would you say is a worse loss for a fighter, a knockout or a decision loss?
BS: Def. a knockout loss because at least in a three round decision a fighter has a chance to showcase his skills and hard work. In a quick knock out especially at heavyweight the better man doesn’t always win(s), anything can happen with 4 oz. gloves on.
3. You have mentioned that a match-up with Frank Mir would be your ideal next fight. Are you already in talks about your next fight?
BS: Haven’t heard anything from the UFC regarding my next match up. I grew up a big Frank Mir fan and it would be an honor to fight him, that being sad Dana White said in Frank’s last fight he was dissapointed and it was three rounds of sparring. If they give me a shot I gaurantee you it wont be a boring fight. I’ll bring the pressure!
4. Do you agree with Dana White’s comments on Mir after his win over Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic? White said: “I have no clue about Frank. To talk the stuff he does, and then fight like he fought, that’s a little frustrating. Once Cro Cop stuffed his takedown attempt, his heart fell out on the floor. If Frank Mircan’t bully you, his heart shrinks to the size of the Grinch’s. If he can’t take you down, his heart shrinks to the size of a pea…”
BS: The night he fought Cro Cop, yes! But not in Mir’s enitre career. He’s been through some wars and has been one of the big stars of the division for a long time.
5. We understand that in order to move up in the division, winners should be matched with winners and fighters coming off losses should be matched with each other, as well. But Shane Carwin just pulled out of his fight with Roy Nelson due to a back injury. How much would you like to offer up a rematch with Nelson?
BS: If the UFC calls me I’m in! But my goal is to be the heavyweight champ not revenge losses. *Note: Nelson’s UFC 125 intended bout has since been scrapped from the card.
6. Does it seem the UFC Heavyweight division is a bit slimmer these days considering the pool of choices for your next fight? (i.e…Frank Mir, Ben Rothwell. Randy Couture–depending on where he’s at right now…)
BS: I think the heavyweight divison is the best it’s ever been right now! It’s a great time to be a heavyweight and there are a ton of exciting match ups.
7. Jake Shields has said that even if Josh Koscheck managed to win the title fight against GSP, he’d prefer fighting St. Pierre because to beat him would hold more prestige. Would you say Brock Lesnar, regardless of his recent title loss is the most prestigious Heavyweight?
BS: Ya i agree Brock brings the most eyeballs to his fights and he is the biggest name regardless win or lose.
8. What did you think of the Velasquez/Lesnar bout? Do you think Brock’s fight with Shane Carwin exposed a lot of his holes? Some say that fight with Carwin should have been stopped in the first round…
BS: Cain looked great! Speed kills the big monsters and that fight proved it, just shows that being big isn’t gonna cut it as a heavyweight anymore. Gotta be able to move and do it all! Carwin def. gave the blue print on how to beat Brock.
9. As a Heavy weight, how do you feel about Fedor Emelianenko? Are his days as a P4P top fighter over? Would you like to see him added to the UFC Heavyweight mix? What about Fabricio Werdum? Does he belong in the UFC?
BS: I would love Fedor to come to the UFC! It’s the only way to see if all the hype is real. Competeing in the UFC is the only way to prove that. Fedor has beat some of the best in the world but unless you’re in the UFC you cant be #1 every other organization is the minor leagues. I’m a big fan of Werdum, but he’s had his shot in the UFC so I’m not as excited if he came back to the UFC, but he is a stud.
10. Finally, you signed with MC Hammer’s Alchemist Management. How are things shaping up for you with that and is Hammer training with you at all? Could you maybe teach him some jitz and in return he teaches you that awesome dance from the “Can’t Touch This” video?
BS: Alchemist is a team MChammer is the social network guy and face of the company along with Jeff, Lex Mcmahon is my MMA agent and everyday guy, Cherie who came over from Tapout is the glue to Alchemist dealing with everday operations and knows just about everyone in the business. Alchemist is changing the game in regards to agents and managers involved with MMA thier a team with a lot of fire power. Only agency that would compare to them would be in the NFL or NBA.