CHAPTERS
- 0:00 – 1:54
MSG without a headliner: Jones rumors, Diaz–Poirier as a fallback
Joe and Brendan open on the strange situation of Madison Square Garden still lacking a announced main event only a month out. They speculate on Jon Jones’ opponent (Gustafsson or Cain) and argue the UFC could simply slot Nate Diaz vs Dustin Poirier as a strong replacement.
- •UFC’s MSG card listed as “TBA vs TBD” looks unprecedented
- •Rumors: Jon Jones vs Gustafsson or Jon Jones vs Cain Velasquez
- •Why the UFC might be delaying an announcement
- •Diaz vs Poirier pitched as a credible PPV main event
- 1:54 – 2:40
UFC 230 undercard talk + Mousasi’s exit from UFC to Bellator
They scan the rest of the MSG lineup and highlight sleeper matchups like Adesanya–Brunson and Rockhold–Weidman. The conversation pivots to Gegard Mousasi’s value at middleweight and how surprising it was that the UFC didn’t match Bellator’s offer.
- •Adesanya vs Brunson as a ‘sleeper’ fight
- •Rockhold vs Weidman and Jacaré vs Branch discussed
- •Mousasi framed as an elite 185er who slipped away to Bellator
- •UFC’s middleweight depth vs the loss of Mousasi
- 2:40 – 2:59
Bellator’s Rory MacDonald problem and the realities of size at 185
Joe and Brendan break down Mousasi dominating Rory MacDonald and why Rory shouldn’t be at 185—especially against a former 205-pound champion. They also touch on how skill-for-skill matchups get skewed by size and durability.
- •Rory’s move to 185 criticized as a bad strategic choice
- •Mousasi’s experience at 205 amplifies the size gap
- •‘Skill-for-skill’ is not enough when physicality differs
- •Rory’s mental readiness and ‘not feeling like fighting’ issue
- 2:59 – 9:29
From fighter talk to comic-book culture war: Batman, superheroes, and reboots
A running joke about Mousasi’s swagger derails into a long riff on ‘big dick energy,’ then morphs into Joe’s frustration with modern comic-book reboots. They mock the idea of rewriting legacy characters and complain about endless franchise recycling.
- •Comedic detour: ‘big dick energy’ as a swagger explanation
- •Batman’s ‘penis’ controversy and shock-value storytelling
- •Joe’s critique of modern reboot/identity-swaps in comics
- •Superman vs Batman logic rant (power scaling vs plot armor)
- 9:29 – 13:36
Venom, Spider-Man fatigue, and Chris Pratt as a surprising outdoorsman
They pivot to movies—Venom’s premise, the never-ending Spider-Man recasts, and Comic Con culture. Joe shares stories about Chris Pratt hunting, his wrestling background, and how actors can surprise you with real athletic skill.
- •Venom explained as an alien symbiote character
- •Complaints about constant Spider-Man reboots and casting
- •Comic Con as a bizarre environment (Chris Pratt anecdote)
- •Chris Pratt’s wrestling background, hunting, and ‘normal guy’ vibe
- 13:36 – 22:17
Theme parks and ‘food vice’: Universal rides, Disneyland parenting, and Chicago deep dish
The conversation shifts to amusement parks—Jurassic Park rides, Harry Potter, Simpsons, and Disney’s Avatar VR ride. From there, they dive into how parenting changes Disneyland, and then into travel food indulgences like Chicago deep dish pizza.
- •Avatar ‘Flights of Passage’ praised as peak theme-park tech
- •Disneyland becomes meaningful once you have kids
- •Dieting is nearly impossible at theme parks (churros/almonds)
- •Chicago deep dish described as ‘casserole’ and the two-hour wait
- 22:17 – 24:30
Cities, race, and why prejudice makes no sense (evolution + social dynamics)
They compare crowds in Chicago/Toronto versus Seattle/Portland and segue into race and human origins. Joe argues racism is illogical given shared ancestry, and they discuss how bigotry harms the person who holds it.
- •Toronto framed as diverse/clean/polite vs Seattle ‘very white’
- •Joe’s ‘everyone comes from Africa’ argument against racism
- •Discussion of reverse racism and double standards
- •How prejudice distorts worldview and relationships
- 24:30 – 34:10
MeToo, Louis C.K., and the idea of redemption vs permanent exile
They move from sexism and public outrage into Louis C.K.’s return to standup. Joe argues a more personal apology (video, specifics, accountability) would help, and they debate proportionality—distinguishing ‘creepy’ behavior from rape cases like Cosby/Weinstein.
- •Critique of ‘target culture’ and pile-ons on public figures
- •Louis C.K.: what he did, why it was wrong, and what accountability looks like
- •Need for a ‘path back’ for non-violent offenses vs zero-tolerance exile
- •Contrast with Bill Cosby and the severity of actual rape cases
- 34:10 – 44:04
Standup craft: Rogan’s special release, editing obsession, and performer insecurity
Joe discusses the anxiety of releasing a special, the importance of self-editing, and why recording video of sets matters. They swap stories about people forcing others to watch their work, and how repetition can make even great material feel stale.
- •Why releasing a special is nerve-wracking even for veterans
- •Editing and analyzing performance (movement + delivery)
- •Cringe stories: forced screenings and ‘look at my work’ moments
- •How familiarity makes comics and partners bored of an act
- 44:04 – 52:41
Conor vs Khabib: PPV expectations, promotion strategy, and stylistic nightmare matchup
They finally return to fights, debating whether Conor–Khabib will hit massive PPV numbers without a world tour. Both agree the matchup is dangerous for each man: Conor’s early boxing threat vs Khabib’s pressure wrestling and composure under chaos.
- •Schaub doubts the fight breaks 2M buys without heavy promotion
- •Conor’s post-Floyd mindset: conserve energy, focus on camp
- •How Conor’s footwork/left hand changes Khabib’s usual pressure game
- •High-stakes psychology: hate, nerves, and crowd energy as variables
- 52:41 – 59:26
UFC 229 undercard and the broader ‘weight cutting is the sport’s biggest problem’ debate
They touch on Ferguson–Pettis and other undercard fights, then spiral into the health and performance consequences of extreme cutting. The conversation includes Holloway’s weight-cut scare and the proposed (but unofficial) 165-pound division talk.
- •Ferguson returning quickly after knee surgery vs Pettis matchup risk
- •Holloway’s bad cut and the compounding difficulty over time
- •Weight cutting framed as MMA’s primary systemic issue
- •Nate–Poirier ‘165 title’ trolling and why it appealed to fans
- 59:26 – 1:24:21
USADA, ‘snitching’ clauses, and Jon Jones’ tainted-supplement debate
They unpack Werdum’s claim that USADA asked him to provide information for leniency and connect it to the public confusion around Jon Jones’ reduced sanction. Joe argues Jones may not have ‘cheated’ in a meaningful performance sense due to trace amounts, while acknowledging the credibility problem USADA creates for fighters.
- •Werdum’s statement about USADA offering leniency for cooperation
- •USADA ‘substantial assistance’ language and why it reads like snitching
- •Trace amounts vs performance benefit vs ‘micro-dosing’ accusations
- •Policy changes: pulling fighters quietly until resolved (O’Malley example)
- 1:24:21 – 1:33:44
MSG main event shock: Shevchenko vs Eubanks headlines and everyone loses their mind
They react in real time to the announcement that Valentina Shevchenko vs Sijara Eubanks will headline MSG. Both criticize the optics of a title fight featuring an inexperienced challenger on such a major stage and lament the missed opportunity for bigger headliners.
- •Surprise switch: Shevchenko–Eubanks elevated to main event
- •Confusion over Eubanks’ resume and how the matchup happened
- •Discussion of Nico Montaño being stripped and the domino effect
- •Why MSG expectations are different (Jones/Cain/Stipe-level headliners)
- 1:33:44 – 1:38:18
Charity, fatherhood, and the reality of fighters’ finances (Ray Borg story)
Late in the episode, the tone turns serious as Brendan describes reaching out to Ray Borg to help cover his child’s medical bills. Joe and Brendan discuss how having kids changes your vulnerability, priorities, and empathy—especially toward struggling athletes.
- •Schaub offers to cover or donate significant income toward Borg’s bills
- •Emotional impact of seeing a child on a respirator
- •Fighters’ financial insecurity vs public perception of ‘rich athletes’
- •Fatherhood as a profound identity shift and moral filter
- 1:38:18 – 1:45:44
Fertility clinics, ‘sample rooms,’ and the creepy history of doctors swapping sperm
They pivot from parenting into a comedic-but-dark thread about fertility clinic logistics and awkward sample collection. Joe cites real cases where doctors used their own sperm to father dozens (or hundreds) of children, reinforcing their broader theme: ‘people are weird.’
- •Schaub’s awkward ‘sample’ experience and clinic setup
- •Jokes about conspiracy scenarios and black-market genetics
- •Real cases of fertility doctors secretly using their own sperm
- •Broader commentary on male creepiness and trust in institutions
- 1:45:44 – 2:14:02
Bravo show, media grind, and closing logistics: fight companion scheduling + tour plugs
They discuss Brendan’s Bravo/Andy Cohen gig and reality TV as ‘decompression’ from fighting. The episode closes with talk about avoiding traditional radio/TV press, scheduling the next Fight Companion, and promoting upcoming dates and specials.
- •Schaub’s Bravo panel work and navigating entertainment culture
- •Why FM radio/TV press feels outdated and unhelpful for ticket sales
- •Next Fight Companion set for Nov 10 (Denver card)
- •Wrap-up plugs: tfatk dates and Schaub’s upcoming Showtime special filming
