A few days removed from their emotionally charged conversation, UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub and commentator Joe Rogan each retreated to their own corners to reflect on the incident.
Recording an episode of Schaub’s podcast for FOX Sports earlier this week, Rogan was critical of the former’s recent first-round TKO loss to No. 3 heavyweight Travis Browne at UFC 181 on Dec. 6.
Rogan indicated a concern for Schaub’s mental health, citing his multiple knockout losses in the UFC career dating back to 2009. Of Schaub’s five career defeats, four have come via either KO or TKO. The lone exception being a split decision loss to Andrei Arlovski at UFC 174 in June.
Recalling the conversation on his podcast Wednesday, Schaub sounds as if he was blindsided by Rogan’s comments.
“We’re sitting down and, I mean, he literally just thrashes me to the fullest extent,” Schaub said. “You heard me going ‘huh, huh,’ because if I would have spoke you would have heard me crying. I was trying not to cry. My phone blew up. I had 40-45 text messages from friends, family. People going, ‘Walk out right now. Don’t take this right now.
“I don’t agree with Rogan. Some of his points I do agree with. There’s some stuff when you lay it out and look at numbers I can see why he thinks I should move on [from fighting]. The truth is I make about as much doing this show as I do in the UFC. That’s the truth, it’s about identical.”
Schaub said he understood Rogan’s concerns and urges to pursue more creative endeavors rather than continue his fighting career, but that he believes he can still be elite in the UFC’s heavyweight division.
“Do I think I can compete at a high level and still kind of do [the podcast]? 100 percent. 100 percent. I disagree with him there. It’s a fine line between hanging it up and moving on and continuing to fight. Have I had concussions? 100 percent. It’s documented. You’ve seen me in the UFC. I played football for 20 years. I’d rather live my life for 50 years being a warrior than live to 100 being a freaking gazelle. Being a peasant. 100 years as a peasant? Nah, I’ll take the 50 glories.”
Schaub said he eventually broke down in tears once he go home, not really knowing who to talk to about the conversation.
On his own podcast, Rogan gave his take on the awkward and emotional situation with Schaub.
“It was intense,” said Rogan. “I still feel like s**t. I feel like s**t today. I felt like s**t while we were doing it.
“[Schaub] wanted to talk about it on the air and I asked him if he was sure. He was like, ‘Yea absolutely. I want to get it out there. I want to hear exactly what you really think.’ I’m sure what he thought I would think and what I did think was different. Then as we were talking I kind of realized, I feel like his perceptions of where he’s at and the dangers of what has happened to him and the reality of where he’s at and the dangers of what have happened to him were off.”
Rogan admitted that the conversation likely should have been held in private, but that hopefully it would serve to help athletes form an educated opinion on chronic brain damage.
“I f***ing love that dude,” Rogan said of Schaub. “He’s really honest. He’s really honest about everything except his fighting ability. I think his fighting ability, or his position, he’s got a slightly elevated sense. But that’s why he’s a bad motherf***er. You have to have this sense that’s almost distorted in order to be a fighter in the first place.”
Rogan explained that while Schaub is supremely confident in his abilities as a fighter, that same spirit could be holding him back.
“If you lose and you start looking at yourself in a delusional way it can hamper your ability to work on all those areas. Any time you have a delusional perspective, an introspective outlook that’s just not accurate, you’re not doing yourself a favor. You need someone else to give you advice. You’re not seeing things that you can correct. When you’re in that state as a martial artist it becomes very dangerous.”
Rogan then cited Schaub’s 2011 KO victory of Mirko CroCop at UFC 128, saying it should serve as the ultimate example to prove his point.
“If Mirko CroCop and [Schaub] fought back when CroCop won the PRIDE heavyweight grand prix that would have been a completely f***king different fight,” said Rogan. “That was a different guy back then … and everybody knows it.”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Set. Rose Namajunas will face former Invicta champion Carla Esparza to decide the first UFC women’s strawweight title.
No answers. Dave Meltzer explains what little we learned from CM Punk’s lengthy interview Wednesday night on FOX Sports.
Chat Wrap. Luke Thomas discusses UFC 181 results, UFC on FOX 13, TUF 20 Finale, CM Punk and more in this week’s live chat.
‘As real as it gets.’ Chuck Mindenhall dives into the complicated and uncomfortable layers of Rogan’s near-intervention with Schaub.
‘Slap in the face.’ Jon Fitch weighs in on changes to his training camp, UFC ‘jumping the shark’ with CM punk, fighter pay and more.
MEDIA STEW
UFC on FOX 13 media day highlights.
Highlights from Carla Esparza vs. Jessica Penne on TUF 20. I guess Randa vs. Rose drops tomorrow.
CM Punk’s interview with FOX Sports Live.
Tito Ortiz talks CM Punk signing and plans for retirement.
Viewer submissions from Inside MMA.
Unsolved MMA Mysteries.
Long watches.
UFC on Fox, TUF 20 Finale Care/Don’t Care Preview
…
#LauDownShow Ep5 with Joe Lauzon and Jack Encarnacao
TWEETS
Congrats.
It’s on like donkey kong!!! Me vs @carlaesparza1 Looking forward to the challenge! http://t.co/KfLYTIAaEq pic.twitter.com/nmisS4BowN
— Rose Namajunas (@rosenamajunas) December 11, 2014
Grindin’.
Bathing in the grind http://t.co/vJ6GkusZ1f
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) December 11, 2014
Finished a great strength and conditioning session with @bunchthegreat @kingmofh and liam_mcgeary… http://t.co/mdGVblXthp
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) December 11, 2014
Yet even more Punk hot takes.
I would rather choke on greatness than nibble on mediocrity. Thanks for the time @FOXSportsLive @ufc
— Coach (@CMPunk) December 11, 2014
This punk is going to be ‘one & done’ in the UFC. It looks like I will be that one. #JustWonTheLottery pic.twitter.com/KVvwe2WXqE
— Cathal Pendred (@PendredMMA) December 10, 2014
“@Pawakes: @Benaskren @CMPunk apparently, he may be fighting @PendredMMA . What do you think of that?” At least he is getting an easy fight
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) December 10, 2014
Wow..CM Punk doesn’t know his weight, where he’ll train, never has really sparred & is still a white belt…can I fight CM Punk please
— Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) December 11, 2014
I like @CMPunk‘s attitude towards making his @ufc debut Enjoy the ride buddy
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) December 11, 2014
Ok @cmpunk you’re ok in my book. I Forgot abt this. Thx @troybeck. @ufc pic.twitter.com/g3Bik4NjPp
— Charlie Brenneman (@SpaniardMMA) December 11, 2014
Can’t wait till cmpunk #CMPunk has @UFC gold around his waist. #Champion #PunkNotDead http://t.co/0IOj7sCa6x
— Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) December 11, 2014
Signed to the UFC Has no idea where his first day of mma training will be…lmfao such total bullshit
— Cody Bollinger (@CodyBollinger) December 11, 2014
.@CMPunk I was thinking about getting directly into a professional sport with zero qualifications or experience. Can you help me out?
— Mac Danzig (@macdanzigmma) December 11, 2014
I’m just wondering who they’re gonna get to fight this clown to make him look legit… Even Rousey would beat him in under a rd w/out trying
— Mac Danzig (@macdanzigmma) December 11, 2014
Dear @CMPunk , I would very much welcome your challange for the #BestHairinMMA . You pick the date and I’ll bring both the hair and fists.
— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) December 11, 2014
But discouraging, disappointing or frustrating I duno the right word a white belt never really sparred before is UFC fighter.
— AL IAQUINTA (@ALIAQUINTA) December 11, 2014
Please be careful.
Get well soon.
Sorry guys looks like I will be out for a bit eye ended up being worst than I thought ….. http://t.co/59HLtKPKDi
— FranCisco Rivera (@CiscoRiveraUFC) December 11, 2014
Want to see my latest post surgery, rehab update? Check out the latest here: http://t.co/ZIkhhh5VVE #MMA #UFC pic.twitter.com/J4tZmQdvta
— Andrei Arlovski (@AndreiArlovski) December 10, 2014
Comparing September to December, I’d say my knee is shaping up for some big things in 2015… http://t.co/rlDEMFCVEZ pic.twitter.com/DdQ1QuLtTg
— Justine Kish (@JustineKish1) December 10, 2014
Daaamn.
I was with bj Penn and Mike dolce for two weeks, bj loved dolce the whole time there. Take responsibility my man.
— Mirsad Bektic (@MirsadBekticMMA) December 11, 2014
So @NateDiaz209 prolly no showed open workouts cause he didn’t want ppl to see him workout before a fight….makes sense to me.
— Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) December 11, 2014
#justbleed, probably.
New Tattoo pic.twitter.com/rZBPRLV080
— Jhenny Andrade UFC (@jhennyandrade10) December 10, 2014
The Mountain from Game of Thrones could be a fun test for CM Punk.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Dec. 10 2014)
Carla Esparza vs. Rose Namajunas at Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale
Randa Markos vs. Jessica Penne at Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via gspwinsfights.
All Hail The Red King: Why Rory deserves the shot (Poll Included)
Having seen the first two fights between Hendricks and Lawler I would put money on a likely scenario in a trilogy fight. Two men who can’t knock each other out punching each other repeatedly, Hendricks sticking his head between Lawlers legs for a disturbing amount of time and the result being a close decision half the fans aren’t happy with. Spare us the intrigue and book a true up and comer. A 18-2 fighter looking to avenge a loss to the champion. Yes I’m Canadian and will always back canuck fighters but this isn’t about national alliegence, it’s about injecting new blood into this and every other weight division and building new stars by giving them big chances. If Johnny’s two last fights tell us anything it’s that a lot of the fans tend to hate him no matter what. Given, going up against long-time fan favourites is hard, but spitting tobacco juice during press conferences is harder Johnny. It’s harder to like you when you do that.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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