Show Notes
Alex Pereira vs. Sergei Pavlovich raises a brutal question: how much should Poatan risk chasing a third UFC belt? On this Big Brown Breakdown Fan Questions, Brendan Schaub tackles Pereira’s heavyweight gamble. Is Pavlovich the right path, or does returning to 205 make more sense? Sean Strickland’s UFC fighter-pay battle brings that debate outside the cage: what good is winning the belt if you’re still fighting for enough money to walk away? Fans ask whether Strickland has the leverage to change fighter pay, and help get a fighters’ union off the ground. Then we get into Gable Steveson’s next move, the futures of Israel Adesanya and Dricus du Plessis, and Dana White vs. Eddie Hearn. Is Zuffa Boxing fixing the sport, or changing who gets to call the shots? Plus, women’s MMA’s star-power problem, the most complete fighters in the sport, training plateaus, and pushing young athletes without burning them out. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
More from The Big Brown Breakdown
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Movsar Evloev is a coin flip, and Brendan Schaub is taking VOLK… barely. On Big Brown Breakdown Ep. 546, Brendan previews UFC 333, breaking down Evloev’s wrestling, Volkanovski’s championship experience, and why this pick comes with serious reservations. Brendan also breaks down Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili 3, including the concerns surrounding Yan’s back surgery, and delivers his main card picks for Lone’er Kavanagh vs. Ramazan Temirov, Alexander Volkov vs. Rizvan Kuniev, and Aaron Pico vs. Losene Keita. Plus, Ian Garry’s rumored matchup with Yaroslav Amosov, Shakur Stevenson’s Zuffa Boxing exit, Alex Pereira’s heavyweight future, Farid Basharat’s UFC departure, and why Brendan believes Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou is NEVER happening. Who wins at UFC 333: Volkanovski or Evloev? Yan or Merab?
Brendan Schaub weighs in on UFC roster cuts and the fan backlash, plus your questions on Big Brown Breakdown LIVE Ep. 38. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Can Alexander Volkanovski beat Movsar Evloev and Father Time at UFC 333? Brendan Schaub breaks down Volkanovski vs. Evloev, Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili 3, and the keys to both UFC title fights on Big Brown Breakdown, Episode 545. Brendan examines Volk’s footwork and fight IQ against Evloev’s wrestling, Merab’s relentless pace against Yan’s technical advantages, and the uncertainty around Yan’s return after back surgery. Also: Mike Malott’s knockout of Joaquin Buckley at UFC Edmonton, what comes next for Malott, the Farid Basharat–Dana White controversy, Aaron Pico vs. Losene Keita, Alexander Volkov vs. Rizvan Kuniev, and a possible Volkanovski–Justin Gaethje superfight. Who wins UFC 333: Volkanovski or Evloev? Yan or Merab?
Are Ariel Helwani and Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson making fair criticisms of the UFC—or taking things too far? Brendan Schaub tackles your fan questions about the UFC’s biggest critics, Michael “Venom” Page’s departure, and Mighty Mouse calling the promotion “hypocrites.” If the UFC is supposed to have the best fighters, why release athletes who keep winning? How much should entertainment value matter? And are fans being fair when they question Ariel and Mighty Mouse’s coverage? Plus, UFC fighter pay and championship contracts, Joshua Van vs. Manel Kape, Alex Pereira’s heavyweight title path, and title defenses versus superfights. Fair criticism or UFC hate? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In the live chat: Jon Jones vs. Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson in the MMA GOAT conversation, the greatest fighters never to win a championship, Mike Tyson’s Netflix documentary, and more.