Brendan Schaub Planning Move to Light Heavyweight Division
Following two straight losses, The Ultimate Fighter 10 runner-up Brendan Schaub will leave the heavyweight division and drop down to the light heavyweight class.
Schaub announced his decision on The Fighter and the Kid, a podcast he co-hosts with actor/comedian Bryan Callen.
"The plan is 205 and I will fight in 2015 at 205," Schaub said.
Considering Schaub weighed in at 244 pounds for his most recent bout against Travis Browne, he has some work to do. That said, Schaub likely wasn't watching his weight all that much in the heavyweight division. The lightest Big Brown weighed in at during his UFC career was 237 pounds for his September 2013 contest opposite Matt Mitrione and his April 2012 clash with Ben Rothwell.
In 11 UFC heavyweight outings, Schaub posted a 6-5 record. While some thought he might have had the potential to accomplish more, Schaub has had a really solid career for someone who transitioned to MMA directly from professional football.
Having lost back-to-back bouts, Schaub will be on a short leash in the light heavyweight division. It's unlikely the UFC brass would retain him should he lose two more in a row, and there's even a good possibility his next fight will be a must-win situation.
"Potential matchups? No idea, no clue," Schaub said. "I'm sure you guys have better ideas than me."
There are a plethora of options for Schaub's debut opponent at 205 pounds. Really, any unranked competitors coming off of a loss would make sense as an adversary.
With that said, the loser of the May contest between Anthony Perosh and Sean O'Connell would be the most logical opponent for Schaub. Ilir Latifi and Ryan Jimmo would also be viable options should the UFC look to give Schaub an opponent a little bit farther up the light heavyweight ladder.
