Brendan Schaub Net Worth

What Is Brendan Schaub's Net Worth and Salary?

Brendan Schaub is an American former mixed martial artist and current media personality who has a net worth of $6 million. Brendan Schaub has successfully navigated a multifaceted career spanning professional fighting, comedy, podcasting, and entertainment. Initially rising to prominence as a heavyweight mixed martial artist in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Schaub compiled a respectable 10-5 professional record between 2008 and 2014.

Following his fighting career, he made a remarkable transition to entertainment, co-creating and hosting popular podcasts including "The Fighter and The Kid" with Bryan Callen and "King and the Sting" with Theo Von. His solo podcast "Below the Belt" further cemented his place in combat sports commentary. Schaub's comedic talent led him to stand-up comedy tours and a Showtime special "You'd Be Surprised" in 2019. His ability to reinvent himself from fighter to entertainer demonstrates remarkable versatility, though his outspoken nature has occasionally generated controversy within both the fighting and comedy communities. Schaub's evolution from the octagon to the microphone represents one of the more successful post-fighting career transitions in MMA history, building a significant following across multiple entertainment platforms and establishing himself as a recognizable personality in combat sports media.

Early Life

Born on March 18, 1983, in Aurora, Colorado, Brendan Schaub demonstrated athletic prowess from an early age. The son of an English father and an American mother, Schaub grew up in a household that encouraged sports participation. His athletic career began in football, where he played fullback at the University of Colorado. Despite not being drafted into the NFL, Schaub briefly joined the Buffalo Bills' practice squad and later played in the Arena Football League.

Schaub's natural athleticism and competitive drive eventually led him to mixed martial arts. With a background in football and lacrosse, he brought explosive power and surprising agility to his MMA training. After leaving football behind, Schaub committed fully to combat sports training in Colorado before eventually relocating to Los Angeles to train with elite fighters at Reign Training Center and later at the renowned 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu under Eddie Bravo.

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Fighting Career

Schaub's MMA career gained significant exposure when he joined the cast of "The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights" (Season 10) in 2009. Though he didn't win the competition, losing in the finals to Roy Nelson, his performances earned him a UFC contract and established him as a promising heavyweight prospect.

Inside the UFC octagon, Schaub compiled a respectable record with notable victories over established veterans like Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipović and Gabriel Gonzaga. His fighting style relied primarily on his boxing skills and athletic movement, unusual for a heavyweight of his size. Schaub's career reached its peak in 2011 when he was on a four-fight winning streak and approaching title contention.

However, Schaub's UFC tenure was also marked by devastating knockout losses to fighters like Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Ben Rothwell. These defeats highlighted vulnerabilities in his chin—a critical weakness in the heavyweight division. His final professional fight came in December 2014 against Travis Browne, resulting in another TKO loss. Following this defeat, fellow fighter and commentator Joe Rogan had a candid conversation with Schaub on a podcast about the dangers of continuing his fighting career, which contributed to Schaub's decision to retire from competition.

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Media Career

Schaub's move from fighting to entertainment began while he was still competing in the UFC. In 2013, he and comedian Bryan Callen launched "The Fighter and The Kid" podcast, which quickly gained popularity for its unfiltered discussions about fighting, comedy, and pop culture. The podcast's success provided Schaub with a platform that eventually outgrew his fighting career.

After retiring from MMA, Schaub fully embraced his role as a media personality. He expanded his podcast portfolio with "Big Brown Breakdown" (later renamed "Below the Belt"), focusing on MMA and boxing analysis. His Showtime deal brought further legitimacy to his post-fighting career, establishing him as a legitimate voice in combat sports commentary.

In 2018, Schaub partnered with comedian Theo Von to launch "King and the Sting," adding another successful podcast to his growing media enterprise. This diversification of content allowed Schaub to build a substantial audience beyond just fight fans.

Comedy Career

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of Schaub's career evolution was his entry into stand-up comedy. Encouraged by his comedian friends like Bryan Callen and Joe Rogan, Schaub began performing at comedy clubs around 2015. His transition raised eyebrows in the comedy community, with some critics suggesting he hadn't "paid his dues" in traditional comedy clubs.

Despite the skepticism, Schaub persevered and developed his comedic skills. In 2019, he released his first comedy special, "You'd Be Surprised," through Showtime. While reviews from comedy purists were mixed, the special demonstrated Schaub's commitment to his new craft and ability to leverage his existing fan base.

Schaub's comedy style draws heavily from his experiences as a fighter and his observations on relationships and celebrity culture. His willingness to embrace a new and difficult profession after already establishing himself as an athlete reflects his characteristic confidence and determination.

(Photo by Desiree Navarro/WireImage)

Business Ventures and Brand Building

Beyond podcasting and comedy, Schaub has demonstrated considerable business acumen. He has developed merchandise lines, created subscription-based content, and secured numerous sponsorship deals. His "Thick Boy" clothing brand and production studio represent his efforts to build sustainable business enterprises beyond his personality-driven content.

Schaub's understanding of personal branding has been crucial to his post-fighting success. He recognized early the value of authenticity and consistency in building a loyal audience. By maintaining regular content production across multiple platforms, he has created a media ecosystem that supports various revenue streams.

Controversies and Public Perception

Throughout his entertainment career, Schaub has been no stranger to controversy. His outspoken opinions on fighter pay, UFC management, and various fighters have occasionally put him at odds with the organization where he made his name. His commentating style, which sometimes includes definitive statements on complex situations, has drawn criticism from both fans and fighters.

Within the comedy world, Schaub has faced scrutiny over his rapid rise without the traditional years of club development. Some established comedians have questioned his credentials, though others like Joe Rogan have defended his right to pursue the craft.

Schaub's occasional misstatements and factual errors during his podcasts have become fodder for online critics, creating a complex relationship with portions of his audience. However, his willingness to acknowledge mistakes and his self-deprecating humor have helped him maintain a substantial fan base despite these controversies.

Personal Life

Brendan has two sons with his long-time girlfriend, Joanna Zanella. He previously had a relationship with Ronda Rousey. After 14 years of training, Schaub was promoted to black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu in 2021.

Real Estate

In January 2019, Brendan sold a home in Los Angeles near the Santa Monica Airport. He sold the home for $2.17 million, which is almost exactly what he paid just a year earlier.

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