Brendan Schaub, the UFC’s heavyweight MMA champion, has his career contemplating on retirement. He said “ if I do fight again, it’s not for me – it’s for the fans.”
“Let’s say (the UFC) offered me Quentin ‘Rampage’ Jackson, for me to jump into camp right now would be tough, man. I know Callen wouldn’t be happy; I know FOX wouldn’t be happy, because then I’m going to have to take away from what we’re doing.”
The Ultimate Fighter 10’s veteran, openly admitted that he has always been terrified being in the MMA cage to fight.
“I don’t miss being in the octagon,” Schaub said. “I don’t. I was always terrified when I fought. I miss the training camp. I miss the walkout. I don’t miss being in the octagon. I mean, like my fight with Matt Mitrione where I was in and out, submitted him, didn’t get touched, that was great. If they all went like that, I’ll fight for 30 years.
“But when you talk about the (Andrei) Arlovski fight, the (Mirko) ‘Cro Cop’ (Filipovic) fight, the (Antonio Rodrigo) Nogueira fight, that Travis Browne fight, you can keep that. Guess who that’s for? Nobody.”
In an interview, Schab tried to hold back his tears as he shares about some of the MMA decisions that need to be made as he feels that he could still compete.
“I’d rather live my life for 50 years being a warrior than 100 years being a frickin’ gazelle, just being a peasant,” he said. “That being said, I feel like… I have a duty to make some X-men babies. When I think about concussions, that bothers me down the road. Am I going to have a stutter? Am I going to be able to play with my kids? But to say I can’t compete at this level because I think of this stuff, that isn’t true.”
Schaub also shared his achievements as well as his feelings towards where he is at with his MMA career including the struggle that he had.
“Life is good not getting punched in the face. I was that kid who had to fight for a paycheck and there’s no plan B. You don’t want to fight that guy when you’re sleeping on satin sheets. Because if he needs that other half of his paycheck to beat me, the going gets rough. I’m not stupid. It’s trouble, especially in the light heavyweight or heavyweight division.”
“You feel like a failure because you didn’t get the belt. I didn’t start this just to be a guy. So a part of me is like, god damn it. I watched (Antonio) ‘Bigfoot’ (Silva) and Soa Palelei the other night, and me being a competitor, I’d beat both of those guys in the same night, right now.
“But to say that (my career) wasn’t a success, man, I’ve had a great run.”
“For me, I love MMA competition, and I miss being camp. But I’m going to have to take some time away and step away from the game. If I am fighting again, it’s not for me – it’s for the fans. I feel like I owe it to them.”