During a recent episode of Thiccc Boy, Brendan Schaub made an unexpected reference to one of his most controversial moments in combat sports. It is the “Schaub Shutdown” from his grappling match at Metamoris.
Rather than shying away from the incident that became infamous in MMA circles, Schaub framed it as a strategic success, offering his perspective on what many considered a lackluster performance.
The former UFC heavyweight brought up the moment while discussing the dynamics of high-level grappling competitions. “I went against a world class grappler,” Schaub explained. “If I don’t engage and play their game I can shut it down.” He continued, referencing what he now calls “the world famous Schaub shutdown.”
The original Metamoris event saw Schaub face a skilled submission grappler Cyborg Abreu in a match that many viewers found frustrating due to the lack of action. Critics at the time accused Schaub of stalling and refusing to engage, resulting in a performance that became a running joke in the grappling community. The term “Schaub Shutdown” was coined mockingly to describe his defensive approach.
However, Schaub’s recent comments indicate he maintains a different view of that night. By calling it “world famous” and referencing it in the context of strategic grappling decisions, he appears to have reframed the narrative in his own mind. Rather than acknowledging it as a low point, he presents it as an example of smart defensive tactics against a superior grappler.
This isn’t the first time Schaub has addressed criticism of his combat sports career with confidence. The podcast host has consistently defended his decisions and performances, often pushing back against narratives he disagrees with.
Schaub struck a similar tone last year when revisiting the bout on his podcast, pushing back against the idea that the match was a failure. “You talking about when I went against the number one grappler in the world? I stepped in his world as a brown belt and he couldn’t submit me in any facet,” he said, arguing that the responsibility to engage fell on Cyborg Abreu since it was his platform.
He went even further, flipping the scenario to underline his point. “I stepped in his Arena. What do you think would have happened if he stepped in my Arena? It would last 30 seconds, he would get annihilated,” Schaub added.
It seems like Schaub believes that merely surviving against an elite grappler was proof of competence rather than passivity.
