May 13, 2026 · 2h 47m
Brendan Schaub and Joe Rogan analyze UFC evolution and fighter well-being
#2498 - Brendan Schaub
As professional combat sports grow more demanding, elite fighters must balance technical evolution with the intense psychological pressures of modern celebrity.
- 1The rapid technical evolution of the UFC is redefining what it takes for fighters to achieve and sustain championship dominance.
- 2Stepping away from social media offers critical mental health benefits for high-profile athletes navigating the pressures of fame.
- 3Pursuing hands-on passions like custom cars provides a vital psychological outlet away from the spotlight of combat sports.
Don't miss
Brendan Schaub and Joe Rogan discuss the immense mental health benefits of stepping away from social media to escape the pressures of public fame.
The brief
Comedian and former MMA fighter Brendan Schaub joins Joe Rogan to dissect the modern landscape of the UFC, tracking how technical evolution and rising stars are reshaping the fight game.
The duo analyzes the rise of Sean Strickland and the dominance of Ilia Topuria, highlighting how elite combat sports demand both extreme technical skill and a unique mental makeup.
Beyond the octagon, the conversation tackles the ethics of fighter compensation and the intense psychological toll of fame, pointing to the mental health benefits of stepping away from social media.
Shifting gears, Rogan and Schaub bond over their shared passion for custom cars and high-performance engines, showing how creative outlets outside of media help maintain personal well-being.
What was said on this episode
100 statements · 52 positive · 38 negative · 2 mixed · 8 neutral
Joshua Van has defensive weaknesses that certain opponents will expose.
“he has some holes, for sure, that. That certain guys are gonna, you know, expose”
Listen at 0:38
Joshua Van may have the UFC’s best boxing.
“his boxing, it might be the best in the ufc”
Listen at 0:51
Joshua Van’s defense was very poor in the fight.
“his defense was so bad”
Listen at 1:20
Joshua Van will remain champion for a long time.
“He's going to be your champ for a very long time”
Listen at 2:37
Brendan recommended heavily betting on Sean Brady.
“literally, put your mortgage on Sean Brady”
Listen at 4:28
MMA betting is causing fighters to receive more fan hostility.
“I think that's why fighters getting so much more hate these days than they did”
Listen at 11:54
Fighters should be legally allowed to bet on themselves to win.
“I feel like you should be able to bet on yourself as a fighter”
Listen at 14:34
Sean Strickland is difficult to control on the ground and has underrated grappling.
“Sean is not going to sit still. He's very hard to hold down. He's got super underrated grappling.”
Listen at 16:07
Sean Strickland is a bona fide future Hall of Famer.
“he's a, he's the guy. He's that blue collar guy, through hard work, is a hall of famer, bona fide hall of famer”
Listen at 18:39
Sean Strickland is becoming a major UFC star and audience draw.
“you get a kid like Strickland who's billing his name to be the most watched fight”
Listen at 27:50
Khamzat Chimaev has consistently had a cardio problem.
“Hamzat's always kind of had a cardio issue”
Listen at 29:49
Extreme weight cutting can cause muscle tissue to break down.
“your muscle gets eaten away”
Listen at 30:46
Radical dehydration during weight cuts can bring fighters near death.
“you do a radical dehydration which brings you to the brink of death”
Listen at 32:18
Sean Strickland is durable and excels in prolonged fights through strong cardio.
“Sean, who's so durable and has such great cardio and can take the fight into deep, deep waters”
Listen at 32:54
MMA’s weight-class system encourages harmful pre-fight weight manipulation.
“It is the dumbest thing we do in the sport where we allow these people to pretend that they weigh a certain way”
Listen at 34:50
Khamzat Chimaev should reduce calories and muscle mass rather than repeatedly dehydrate.
“he has got to limit his calorie intake and he's got to literally burn the muscle off”
Listen at 35:32
A healthier Khamzat at 205 pounds could outperform his depleted 185-pound version.
“100. Hamza, bro, could be a lot better than a 70”
Listen at 36:52
Sport-specific wrestling is preferable to separate conditioning drills for MMA cardio.
“I'd rather you get your cardio from actually wrestling against top level guys”
Listen at 39:44
Sean Strickland’s excellent cardio comes from frequent intense sparring.
“Why is this cardio so good? Because he spars like a madman all the time.”
Listen at 39:55
No fighter has better cardio than Merab Dvalishvili.
“Who the has better cardio than Barab? I would say nobody.”
Listen at 41:29
Plyometric conditioning could give BJ Penn an exceptionally strong gas tank.
“what we can do is give you an unstoppable gas tank”
Listen at 43:02
Jon Jones is widely regarded as MMA’s greatest fighter of all time.
“that's why the argument in most people's eyes is that John is the greatest of all time”
Listen at 46:38
Francis Ngannou’s fight likely diminished Stipe Miocic’s ability to absorb punches.
“I think that took a lot out of his chin, that Francis fight”
Listen at 47:20
Alex Pereira was an exceptionally complete fighter comparable to Jon Jones.
“He's our Jon Jones. He was so talented. Huge.66667. Great wrestling, great world class boxing. Good at everything, dude.”
Listen at 49:53
Arman Tsarukyan is Ilia Topuria’s toughest matchup.
“Now his toughest matchup is Armin Tsarukin. That's the fight.”
Listen at 51:43
Khamzat Chimaev should stay active and maintain a lower weight.
“stay active over there. Stay active. Like. Like armor Sarukin's doing. Keep your weight down.”
Listen at 52:30
Arman Tsarukyan can wrestle, strike, and submit opponents at an elite level.
“he can strike and he can submit you. Good luck.”
Listen at 55:39
Justin Gaethje beating Ilia Topuria would be an all-time upset and career finale.
“if Justin beats Ilia, it is not only one of the greatest upsets of all time, it is one of the greatest caps to a career of all time”
Listen at 57:57
Justin performed in his Pimblett fight without an apparent decline despite being past his prime.
“Justin's not in his prime, but damn, he didn't look like he lost a step in the Patty Pimblett fight.”
Listen at 1:03:19
UFC performance bonuses depend partly on the opponent’s strength.
“we do it. Also, your strength of your opponent”
Listen at 1:04:06
The UFC cannot exist as a product without its fighters.
“Without the fighters, there is no ufc. It doesn't exist.”
Listen at 1:06:26
UFC fighters should receive greater compensation for health risks and limited careers.
“I think they should be compensated more.”
Listen at 1:07:53
The UFC is the only combat-sports promotion to have made money.
“the UFC is the only. The only sports combat sports promotion to ever make money ever.”
Listen at 1:08:31
The UFC is the greatest organization in combat-sports history.
“The UFC is the greatest organization in combat sports history, period.”
Listen at 1:10:04
The UFC’s production operation is highly polished and rarely experiences problems.
“The team behind the scenes is the same. It's so polished. There's never a problem.”
Listen at 1:11:08
The UFC currently has a weak heavyweight division and could use that fighter.
“He's good in the UFC's shallow ass heavyweight division. We could use that.”
Listen at 1:12:35
Comedians should receive most door revenue at Rogan’s comedy club.
“the comedians make most of the money when it comes to the door. That's how it should be.”
Listen at 1:14:14
Rogan’s comedy-club compensation model is profitable.
“100. It makes money.”
Listen at 1:15:17
The club’s success depended substantially on fortuitous timing and circumstances.
“The reason why our club works is because everything. Look, it's pure luck.”
Listen at 1:15:32
Higher comedian earnings encourage performers to remain at the club.
“I could set it up in a way where the comics make so much money. So that way you encourage people to stay.”
Listen at 1:17:51
Rogan’s comedy-club model is not currently viable in Los Angeles because Comedy Store remains dominant.
“So I don't think you could do it in LA right now because the store is open”
Listen at 1:18:16
Fighters could seek a larger revenue share by collectively refusing UFC bouts.
“we're not fighting another fight. They just signed this huge deal. 7.7 million. If you guys want to get your equal share.”
Listen at 1:20:46
UFC fighters will never collectively agree to withhold fights for higher pay.
“It'll never happen, not in a million years.”
Listen at 1:21:26
Shareholder-owned companies are obligated to maximize profits for shareholders.
“when you have shareholders, you have an obligation to your shareholders to maximize your profits.”
Listen at 1:23:32
The UFC’s expanded Paramount schedule forces it to use lower-level, inexperienced fighters.
“because you made this deal with Paramount out, now you're getting just, you know, you're sign these contenders series kids who have three fights, four fights”
Listen at 1:23:55
Netflix sought major UFC events rather than carrying the smaller fight-night schedule.
“We're looking for big events. So the fact that you could give us one pay per view”
Listen at 1:26:03
Netflix distribution will bring millions of viewers to the MMA event.
“just because it's on Netflix, I guarantee you millions of people will watch it.”
Listen at 1:27:27
The UFC has a monopoly in MMA promotion.
“It's a monopoly. All good.”
Listen at 1:27:49
Additional MMA promotions benefit fighters by providing alternative places to earn money.
“if fighters, big name fighters have a place to go and can get paid, I'm all for it.”
Listen at 1:27:54
The UFC-Paramount event will not match the reported 33-million audience for Paul-Joshua.
“they'll never get to the Jake Paul number. The Jake Paul number of the Anthony Joshua fight. If that's an accurate number. 33 million. They're never going to get to that.”
Listen at 1:30:23
AI programs can control multiple accounts and generate seemingly human social-media comments.
“you could run an AI program that controls a bunch of different cell phones that has a bunch of different accounts, and you can have them even commenting on things.”
Listen at 1:37:50
The apparent widespread visibility of some streamers can be deliberately engineered through paid posting.
“that's all by design.”
Listen at 1:39:02
Artificial engagement mainly reinforces existing fans and attracts only a few additional viewers.
“I think it reinforces the fans that already love him. Yes. And a few people are gonna hop on board.”
Listen at 1:39:30
Streaming and podcasting are sensible diversification strategies for retired fighter Rampage Jackson.
“it's a good move for Rampage. You know, he's not fighting anymore. Yeah, it's a good move. Makes sense. And he's got the Jackson podcast that's doing well. It's good for him to diversify, do a bunch of different things.”
Listen at 1:40:18
Human society is moving toward increasingly digital social interaction.
“We're headed into this weird world of the digital world.”
Listen at 1:42:53
People are addicted to their phones.
“People are addicted. They're 100% addicted to their phone.”
Listen at 1:43:08
Future digital technology will become more invasive in people’s lives.
“as this technology moves forward, it's going to get more invasive.”
Listen at 1:43:25
Widespread smartphone use will continue because users are addicted and depend on phones for many activities.
“No one's going to. They're going to keep doing too much money. No, it's just everyone's addicted and everyone uses it for too many things.”
Listen at 1:43:50
Governments may eventually try to move people into centralized digital currencies.
“some sort of centralized digital currency which I think we're probably, they're probably going to try to move us all into eventually.”
Listen at 1:49:05
A 250-horsepower manual air-cooled Porsche provides sufficient driving performance and enjoyment.
“if you just get an old school Porsche air cooled with 250 horsepower manual, it's all you need, dude.”
Listen at 1:55:57
Brendan Schaub’s 1,400-horsepower TRX runs hot.
“my TRX, the 1400 horsepower is running hot”
Listen at 1:56:22
Joe Rogan says the Gunther Works Porsche decisively beat a GT3RS.
“They raced that one against a GT3RS and it buried it.”
Listen at 2:00:21
Modified vehicles reaching 1,000 horsepower create problems owners do not actually want.
“If you're reaching a Thousand horsepower, buddy. You think you want those problems? You do not.”
Listen at 2:01:47
Gunther Works Porsches are reliable.
“the Gunther Works ones are reliable”
Listen at 2:02:01
Gunther Works Porsches have motorsports-grade ABS and traction control.
“Modern electronics like motorsports grade ABS and traction control.”
Listen at 2:02:34
Porsche’s rising prices are pricing some customers out of its market.
“Porsche has become, it's almost like what Ferrari was 10 years ago where just the base Porsche is so expensive, man, it's pricing out their market.”
Listen at 2:03:18
A modified Porsche 911T can match twin-turbo speed at lower cost while retaining rear-wheel drive.
“you can do that for way less than it would cost you to buy a twin turbo. And you're getting the same kind of speed, but you're also getting rear wheel drive.”
Listen at 2:05:13
Buying a Porsche GT3RS requires allocation or roughly $150,000 in markup.
“the GT3RS is. You got to be allocated or it's like 150 over markup.”
Listen at 2:05:29
American cars are cheaper to modify and retain more resale value than exotics.
“the C6s all, all the American stuff you can mod the out of and there's a market there, you're not losing your ass. Yeah. And they're cheaper to mod.”
Listen at 2:06:27
The Corvette ZR1X is the most capable car Joe Rogan has driven.
“The ZR1X is on another planet. It's. It's a spaceship. I mean, it's the most capable car I've ever driven by far.”
Listen at 2:07:44
Manual transmissions provide driving engagement that automatic Corvettes lack.
“if you're not using a manual, you're missing you. You're going to have fun. Don't get me wrong, you get a Corvette, you're going to have a lot of fun. Great car. But shifting your own”
Listen at 2:08:12
Joe Rogan recommends installing a manual transmission in a Corvette Z06.
“What I would do is get a Z06 and put a manual in it.”
Listen at 2:09:34
ECUs in 2024-and-newer Ram trucks cannot currently be unlocked.
“because 2024 and up up. There's no way to unlock that ECU”
Listen at 2:10:21
An unlocked earlier Ram ECU costs about $7,000.
“You're looking at seven grand for unlocked ecu.”
Listen at 2:10:37
The impaired-driving system may prevent starting or reduce vehicle performance.
“the system may be able to prevent the engine from starting or shut down performance if it decides you're impaired.”
Listen at 2:11:57
Tesla has canceled the Model S.
“Tesla has canceled the Model S.”
Listen at 2:12:51
Joe Rogan’s Tesla is a four-door, four-seat car accelerating to 60 mph in under two seconds.
“My car is a four seater four door car that goes zero to 60 in under two seconds.”
Listen at 2:13:17
The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing F1 has 685 horsepower and only a manual transmission.
“685 horsepower. And it's only manual”
Listen at 2:14:48
Joe Rogan considers a Tesla Cybertruck SUV a smart product move.
“that would be a smart move for them to make a cyber truck. That's an suv.”
Listen at 2:18:10
Los Angeles gasoline costs $7.90 per gallon.
“he told me that gas is $7.90 a gallon in LA right now”
Listen at 2:22:04
Iran-related conflict and global supply disruptions are driving higher American gasoline prices.
“American gas prices are rising mainly because crude oil has become more expensive due to the war with Iran and disruptions in global oil supply”
Listen at 2:22:58
Joe Rogan says the Butler assassination attempt was genuine, not staged.
“The people that thought that the Butler, Pennsylvania one was staged don't know anything about guns. That's a fact.”
Listen at 2:26:00
Brendan Schaub claims MK Ultra-style programs continue expanding and improving.
“They just. They expand. It gets better and better and better.”
Listen at 2:27:10
Only 38% of Americans reportedly believe all three assassination attempts were authentic.
“Only 38% of Americans believe all three assassination attempts were authentic.”
Listen at 2:28:07
Chinese TikTok promotes educational content and restricts children’s use after 10 p.m.
“Chinese Tik tok. It's all like traditional dance and martial arts. They built it. Science projects. Yeah. It shuts down for kids after 10:00pm”
Listen at 2:28:20
The American TikTok owner will continue monetizing content that harms users’ attention and judgment.
“they're just going to continue doing what the Chinese did and make the most amount of money, which is rotten people's brains out.”
Listen at 2:28:38
Children generally imitate their parents’ work ethic, discipline, and kindness.
“Kids imitate the atmosphere that they grow up in. And if your parents have a hard work ethic and they're disciplined and they're kind, generally speaking, that's how your kids come out.”
Listen at 2:33:39
Excessive parental pressure can make children want to quit sports.
“Your son has told me he wants to quit. Now the reason he wants to quit is cuz you've made it not fun.”
Listen at 2:34:25
Parents should not force children into activities; children should find an interest they choose.
“I don't force my kids into doing anything they don't want to want to do. If they're not interested in it, you don't have to do it. But find something you are interested in.”
Listen at 2:34:54
Becoming famous at age ten is unhealthy for children.
“it's just super unhealthy for your kid to get famous when they're 10. Horrible”
Listen at 2:37:36
BMW still manufactures manual-transmission cars.
“BMW to their credit is still making manual transmissions”
Listen at 2:40:51
Current BMW M5s are excessively heavy, creating a major drawback.
“The M5s are so heavy now. That's their issue.”
Listen at 2:41:04
BMW likely offers a manual-transmission M4.
“I think they make the M4 manual.”
Listen at 2:41:21
The modified BMW E46 M3 is relatively lightweight and handles well.
“Doesn't weigh a lot. It handles really good.”
Listen at 2:41:47
BMW continues to produce high-quality vehicle interiors.
“BMW still has great interiors, too.”
Listen at 2:42:43
The new BMW M5 is a very high-performing car despite lacking a manual transmission.
“The new M5, even if it isn't a manual, is a screamer of a car.”
Listen at 2:42:51
Engine stop-start systems provide no meaningful savings.
“You're not saving anything.”
Listen at 2:43:20
Engine stop-start systems accelerate wear on vehicle starters.
“All you're doing is cooking my starter.”
Listen at 2:43:21
Maserati cars are particularly impressive in person.
“Those are cool in person. They're really nice.”
Listen at 2:43:33
Electric cars’ weight causes tires to wear out faster.
“They're so heavy. So you're going through tires faster”
Listen at 2:44:06
Statements are attributed to the speaker as said on the episode and reflect their view at the time, not PodLume's. They are not advice.