Entertainment • Comedy

Brendan Schaub

Brendan Schaub is an American former mixed martial artist, stand-up comedian, podcast host, and television personality.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 11, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Brendan Schaub is an American former mixed martial artist, stand-up comedian, podcast host, and television personality. He competed in the UFC after appearing on *The Ultimate Fighter*, then retired from MMA and moved into comedy and podcasting. He is known for *The Fighter and the Kid* and for comedy specials including *You'd Be Surprised* and *The Gringo Papi*.

Early life and background

Brendan Peter Schaub was born on March 18, 1983, in Aurora, Colorado, United States. Public profiles identify him as American and describe him as a former athlete and entertainer.

Mixed martial arts career

Schaub joined the UFC in 2009 after appearing on *The Ultimate Fighter* and fought in the promotion until 2014. UFC records list him as a retired heavyweight with a professional record in the heavyweight division.

Comedy and podcasting career

After retiring from MMA, Schaub shifted to stand-up comedy and podcasting. He has hosted or co-hosted shows including *The Fighter and the Kid*, *Below the Belt with Brendan Schaub*, and *The Schaub Show*.

Comedy specials and screen work

Schaub's stand-up work includes the Showtime special *You'd Be Surprised* and the YouTube-released special *The Gringo Papi*. Film and television databases also credit him with acting and writing roles.

Key facts

Schaub competed in the UFC after signing with the promotion in 2009 and later retired from mixed martial arts.
He appeared on *The Ultimate Fighter* and became known in combat sports as "Big Brown".
After leaving MMA, he began performing stand-up comedy and eventually performed as a solo act.
He has hosted or co-hosted several podcasts, including *The Fighter and the Kid* and *The Schaub Show*.
He released his first comedy special, *You'd Be Surprised*, in 2019 and his second, *The Gringo Papi*, in 2022.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Brendan Schaub?

Brendan Schaub is an American former UFC heavyweight, stand-up comedian, and podcast host.

When was Brendan Schaub born?

He was born on March 18, 1983.

What is Brendan Schaub known for?

He is known for his MMA career, *The Fighter and the Kid* podcast, and comedy specials such as *You'd Be Surprised* and *The Gringo Papi*.

Did Brendan Schaub fight in the UFC?

Yes. He signed with the UFC in 2009, competed there until 2014, and later retired from MMA.

Is Brendan Schaub still active in comedy?

Yes. Sources describe him as a stand-up comedian who continued performing after leaving MMA.

What podcasts has Brendan Schaub hosted?

Sources identify *The Fighter and the Kid*, *Below the Belt with Brendan Schaub*, and *The Schaub Show* as podcasts associated with him.

References

Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brendan_Schaub
Supports: Biographical overview, MMA career, retirement, and comedy career timeline
UFC — https://www.ufc.com/athlete/brendan-schaub
Supports: UFC career status, heavyweight division, retired status
IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3618702/
Supports: Born in Aurora, Colorado; acting, writing, and directing credits
Apple TV — https://tv.apple.com/us/person/brendan-schaub/umc.cpc.5sx84l8jt9ok74tdbn955yp0
Supports: Podcast host and stand-up comedian description; transition from MMA to comedy
UFC Stats — http://ufcstats.com/fighter-details/89a407032911e27e
Supports: Physical stats, birth date, and fighter record
Apple Podcasts — https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-schaub-show/id1210250626
Supports: Description of The Schaub Show and his role as host
Sherdog — https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Brendan-Schaub-33926
Supports: MMA statistics, height, weight, and age