The Big Brown Breakdown

Latest Episodes:

UFC MATCHMAKERS RESPOND TO BRENDAN'S BELLA MIR RANT | Big Brown Breakdown LIVE CHAT Ep. 23 Aug 28, 2026

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Brendan Schaub goes LIVE for another Big Brown Breakdown and responds to the fallout from his Bella Mir and Dana White's Contender Series rant.

Brendan reveals that UFC matchmakers reached out following his criticism of Bella Mir being pushed too quickly and shares a conversation with Sean Strickland about what he saw from Bella during training. Brendan explains why he still believes elite prospects are being rushed into the UFC before they're ready and why Contender Series needs a legitimate developmental system.

Plus, Brendan talks Dillon Danis pulling out against Mike Perry, rumors surrounding the situation, Kevin Holland's reported $11 million in UFC earnings, King Green's dangerous driving video, Jelly Roll and Donald Trump, Jon Jones, UFC Fight Night and more while answering questions from the live chat.

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THE UFC FAILED BELLA MIR | Big Brown Breakdown Ep. 530 Aug 27, 2026

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Brendan Schaub reacts to Bella Mir’s shocking loss on Dana White’s Contender Series and explains why he believes the UFC system is rushing talented prospects before they’re ready.

Brendan breaks down Bella Mir’s MMA potential, the pressure of being Frank Mir’s daughter, why fighters need more professional experience before reaching the UFC, and why Dana White’s Contender Series should function more like a developmental league for MMA.

Plus, Brendan discusses UFC fighter management, fighter pay, Bo Nickal, Kevin Holland, Jon Jones vs. Demetrious Johnson in the GOAT debate, and more from the world of MMA.

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Brendan Schaub Calls Out the UFC for Playing Favorites | Big Brown Breakdown LIVE CHAT Ep. 22 Aug 25, 2026

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Brendan Schaub is back for another Big Brown Breakdown covering everything happening in the fight world.

Brendan breaks down the UFC heavyweight picture and explains why he believes the promotion keeps playing favorites with Ciryl Gane, reacts to the latest debate surrounding Cris Cyborg and Amanda Nunes in the women’s MMA GOAT conversation, discusses Sean O’Malley’s potential road back to a UFC title shot, and gives his predictions for where several UFC divisions could be headed.

Plus, Brendan talks rising prospects, the current state of the UFC roster, Israel Adesanya potentially making another title run, youth sports, wrestling, football and much more.

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Fluffy Hernandez Has a SERIOUS Problem | Big Brown Breakdown Ep. 529 Aug 24, 2026

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Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez suffered another setback at UFC Sacramento, and Brendan Schaub breaks down what the loss means for his future in the UFC.

Is Fluffy simply too small for the middleweight division? Brendan explains why Hernandez’s size is becoming a serious problem at 185 — but also why dropping to welterweight might not be the easy solution people think it is. Plus, what’s next for Gregory “RoboCop” Rodrigues after the win?

Brendan also reacts to Bo Nickal’s recent wrestling loss and pushes back against fans claiming Bo is “washed,” discusses UFC fighter pay, the UFC’s growing involvement in professional jiu-jitsu, Conor McGregor and Max Holloway going back and forth, Paddy Pimblett potentially moving to welterweight, and Jorge Masvidal’s possible UFC return.

Plus, fan questions on Ian Machado Garry’s championship potential, Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson’s GOAT case, Islam Makhachev, Michael Morales and more.

Big Brown Breakdown 529 with Brendan Schaub.

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Fan Questions: Anderson Silva’s Record Is MORE Impressive Than Islam’s | Big Brown Breakdown Aug 23, 2026

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Brendan Schaub answers your fan questions on a Sunday edition of Big Brown Breakdown and gets into some of the biggest debates happening in the UFC.

Islam Makhachev may have surpassed Anderson Silva’s legendary UFC winning streak, but does that automatically make Islam’s run more impressive? Brendan explains why he gives Anderson Silva the edge, arguing that Silva’s striking-heavy style exposed him to significantly more risk than the wrestling-based approach used by Islam and other elite Dagestani fighters.

Brendan also builds the perfect heavyweight to defeat Jon Jones, discusses whether Conor McGregor vs Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson makes sense, reacts to Ian Machado Garry embracing his heel role, and picks which current UFC champion has the best chance of moving up and winning another belt.

Plus, Brendan discusses Michael Morales’ wrestling, Islam carrying two UFC belts, a potential Mauricio Ruffy vs Diego Lopes matchup, whether Justin Gaethje could beat an untrained heavyweight, and Sergei Pavlovich’s position in the heavyweight title picture.

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Sean Strickland’s $20 MILLION Deal Is Insane | Big Brown Breakdown LIVE CHAT Ep. 21 Aug 21, 2026

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Brendan Schaub is back LIVE for another Big Brown Breakdown covering the latest UFC and MMA news, answering fan questions and breaking down this weekend’s fights.

Brendan reacts to reports that Sean Strickland signed a massive $20 million deal and discusses just how significant that kind of money could be for a UFC fighter outside of Conor McGregor. He also revisits the continuing Din Thomas and Jillian Robertson situation, including Thomas cornering Sean Brady and why the controversy continues to create bad PR.

The show also gets into UFC fighter pay following the new media-rights deal, the problem with fighters reaching the UFC too quickly through Dana White’s Contender Series, Yair Rodriguez’s inactivity, Aljamain Sterling turning down an opponent outside the rankings, and the upcoming UFC Sacramento card.

Later, Brendan explains why Alexander Volkanovski should consider moving to lightweight for a superfight with Justin Gaethje, discusses Reinier de Ridder at 205, gives his picks for UFC Sacramento, and talks about a potential upcoming UFC 332 main event.

Big Brown Breakdown with Brendan Schaub — UFC news, MMA, fight predictions, fan questions and everything happening in combat sports.

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Everyone Is Turning on Din Thomas | Big Brown Breakdown Ep. 528 Aug 20, 2026

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Brendan Schaub is back with another Big Brown Breakdown covering the biggest stories in MMA, UFC and combat sports.

The fallout surrounding Din Thomas and Jillian Robertson continues after Robertson rejected Thomas’ apology following his controversial comments about her career. Brendan breaks down why the situation keeps getting worse, the messages Robertson shared, Thomas saying his comments were partly for television and ratings, and the confusion surrounding his supposed retirement from cornering while still planning to corner Sean Brady.

The MMA world also begins piling on, with Kelvin Gastelum criticizing Thomas, Hector Lombard unloading on his former teammate, and the conversation turning toward the UFC’s so-called “good old boys club.” Brendan explains why he actually believes all the controversy could ultimately be the best thing that happened to Jillian Robertson’s career.

Also discussed: Yair Rodriguez pulling out of his UFC Noche main event, Jean Silva, Tom Aspinall opening up about the mental toll of fighting, Dana White’s Contender Series and fighter pay, the decline of The Ultimate Fighter, Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua, Dana White’s issues with Eddie Hearn, Khamzat Chimaev potentially moving to 205, Johnny Walker at heavyweight, and UFC Sacramento featuring Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez vs. Gregory “Robocop” Rodrigues.

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Islam Makhachev Is NOT The GOAT| Big Brown Breakdown LIVE CHAT Ep. 20 Aug 18, 2026

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Brendan Schaub is back LIVE for another Big Brown Breakdown, reacting to the fallout from Islam Makhachev vs Ian Machado Garry and answering fan questions about the biggest stories in MMA.

Brendan doubles down on his criticism of Ian Garry’s game plan, explains why fighting defensively took away the weapons that make Garry dangerous, and debates whether Ian has the mentality necessary to become UFC champion. He also discusses Islam Makhachev’s move to welterweight, Michael Morales and Shavkat Rakhmonov as potential threats, and why he still believes Jon Jones has the stronger case as MMA’s GOAT.

Plus, Brendan defends Mackenzie Dern’s performance against Jillian Robertson, reacts to Dean Thomas’ corner controversy, discusses damage vs control in MMA judging, Paddy Pimblett’s next move, Aaron Pico vs Arnold Allen, the future of the UFC welterweight division and much more. Subscribe for UFC breakdowns, MMA news, fight predictions, live reactions and more.

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Ian Machado Garry BLEW His Chance Against Islam Makhachev | UFC 330 | Big Brown Breakdown Ep. 527 Aug 17, 2026

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Brendan Schaub reacts to UFC 330 and breaks down Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry, why Ian’s performance left him frustrated despite his impressive takedown defense, and whether Garry has the killer instinct needed to become UFC champion.

Plus, the guys discuss Islam Makhachev’s place in the GOAT conversation, the future of the UFC welterweight division, Michael Morales and Carlos Prates, Mackenzie Dern’s win over Gillian Robertson, Din Thomas’ controversial comments after the fight, the changing mentality of modern UFC fighters, Alexander Volkanovski’s next fight, Aaron Pico vs. Arnold Allen, and more from the MMA world.

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Fan Questions: Conor McGregor Should NOT Fight Max Holloway After 7-Year Layoff Aug 16, 2026

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Big Brown answers your Sunday Fan Q’s! This week’s Q&A covers Conor McGregor, Max Holloway, Islam Makhachev, Ian Garry, Arman Tsarukyan, Paddy Pimblett, Diego Lopes, women’s MMA, and much more.

The biggest debate of the episode: should Conor McGregor really jump straight into a fight with Max Holloway after such a long layoff?

Big Brown breaks down why he believes Conor should get a different opponent first, comparing the situation to elite athletes in football, soccer, and baseball. He also explains why a long layoff can completely change the equation at the highest level of combat sports.

Plus, Big Brown answers fan questions about:

• Whether 25 is too old to pursue an MMA career

• Arman Tsarukyan vs Huffy

• Killian vs Diego Lopes

• Paddy Pimblett’s future at lightweight

• What happens next for Islam Makhachev and Ian Garry

• Ian Garry’s coaching situation and fight strategy

• Whether UFC fighters should compete in RAF

• The state of women’s MMA

• Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway

• What casual fans miss when studying elite fighters

• Peptides, testosterone and bloodwork