The New Breed: Brendan Schaub

Written By Troy "Red" Barron

Name: Brendan Schaub

Age: 26

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 240lbs

Hometown: Aurora, CO

Nickname: Showtime

Pro MMA Record: 4-0

Sometimes all it takes to set someone’s life on course is the right movie. For Colorado native Brendan Schaub, that movie was the martial arts classic Bloodsport. “After watching that movie, I knew I wanted to study martial arts,” Schaub said.

Schaub didn’t have to go far to learn, his father was a second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He studied Tae Kwan Do for a short time, but while watching tapes of the UFC with his uncle, he knew that would be the sport for him.

But MMA would have to wait a while. For some time, it looked like football would be his future. Schaub played four years of football at the University of Colorado. He was talented enough to go on to play for the Utah Blaze in the Arena League and even made it to the NFL with the Buffalo Bills.

Then suddenly he walked away. “I just couldn’t get MMA out of my mind; I knew football wasn’t what I wanted anymore,” Schaub said.

He returned to Colorado and began his MMA training. He started at High Altitude Martial Artswith Nate Marquardt. He turned out to be a quick learner.

With less than six months of formal boxing training, Schaub thought he would test his skills in the 2008 Colorado Golden Gloves tournament. He ended up winning the heavyweight title against an 8-0 Army boxing champ.

That same year, and again with less than six months of training, he put his B.J.J. to the test. He was crowned the 2008 Colorado Open Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu Absolute Advanced Grand Champion (this included a win over UFC star Mike Nickels).

Schaub currently splits his training between T’s KO Fight Club in Colorado, with Trevor Wittman and Christian Allen; and Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts in New Mexico with Greg Jackson.

Just as important as the great instructors Schaub has, are the partners he trains with; and he has some incredible training partners. The list includes, Shane Carwin, Nate “The Great” Marquardt, Keith Jardine, Duane “Bang” Ludwig, Eliot Marshall, Shawn Simms, Brian Stann, James McSweeney and Joey Villasenor.

“When I’m training with guys like that on a daily basis, it makes my fights seem easy”.

There is no question Schaub has made his fights look easy. With a perfect 4-0 pro record, he has never been past a 1:20 of the first round. His most recent win was for the heavyweight title at the Ring of Fire in Denver, Colorado. He won by referee stoppage due to strikes in just 0:52 seconds.

Keep an eye out for Brendan Schaub; maybe someday the UFC tapes he watches with his uncle will contain his highlights!

Troy Barron and his wife are the proud owners of PerformanceMMA.com where you can find all MMA clothing and apparel needs.