UFC rising heavyweight Brendan “The Hybrid” Schaub (7-1) is excited for his upcoming fight with Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovi? this Saturday night when both men meet on the pay-per-view card of UFC 128 in Newark, New Jersey.
Schaub is admittedly a fan of the Croatian fighter, having worn a shirt that said “Cro Cop Security” back in University. Now the former NFL player will get his chance to step into the octagon with the former PRIDE legend.
Schaub believes that fighting a big name like “Cro Cop” on the main card is just where he should be, and allows him an opportunity to prove that to fans, as well as the UFC matchmakers.
“There’s not a lot of times, whether it’s the boxing world or at the UFC level, where you get to fight legends of the sport, so for me, it’s unbelievable and such a great opportunity. The next morning after I got the call, I kinda pinched myself and was like ‘man, you’re really fighting Cro Cop on a huge card. I’ve never been so excited about a fight…”
“I expect to be on the big cards and if it’s not the main event or for a world title, then I’ve got a lot of work to do. So for me, I expect these things and when I get the call to fight the big names, I’m like ‘yep, this is right, this is the next step, and I expect to be here.’ The pressure’s the same for me in all the fights, but this is definitely a big one, I’m looking forward to the challenge, and it’s just my time. I know that and I’m gonna prove it March 19th.”
Schaub earned a unanimous decision over Garbriel Gonzaga last October at UFC 121, winning three straight UFC bouts since his only career loss at the “TUF 10 Finale.”