Former UFC heavyweight and podcast host Brendan Schaub didn’t hold back when discussing how Hollywood elites respond to UFC star entering their space, drawing from his own experiences working major entertainment industry events.
During his Thiccc Boy podcast, Schaub reflected on his time as the first UFC athlete to work with CBS, covering prestigious events like the Golden Globes, Grammys, and Oscars. His insider perspective revealed a dynamic that might surprise casual observers of both industries.
“I’ve been in those circles. I’ve been in those rooms,” Schaub explained when discussing UFC fighters appearing at Hollywood events. “The room stops when a UFC athlete walks in. They stop because they can’t comprehend what you do for work. They’re like, ‘Holy f**k, the alpha male or alpha female is in the room. Everybody bow down.’ That’s how this goes.”
This observation came during a broader discussion about McKenzie Dern and Brian Ortega’s appearance at the Golden Globes, where Schaub felt the UFC marketing team severely mishandled the opportunity.
Rather than treating the stars as legitimate celebrities worthy of the event’s glamour, they appeared in UFC fight kits while providing security for presenters.
“When I say cringey, Buddy, whoever the f**k thought that this was a smart move, do you know how demeaning it is, how demoralizing it is as a fighter?” Schaub questioned. “You’re like, ‘we’re no longer this niche sport.’ And then some soft rider was like ‘These next two guys need extra security. Oh here they are, Brian Ortega and McKenzie Dern.’ And now hold on, you’re in the UFC fight kit.”
Schaub emphasized that Hollywood’s fascination with UFC fighters stems from their genuine toughness in a world of performers. “You got to treat them like normal celebrities,” he insisted.
The podcaster specifically criticized how the appearance wasted McKenzie Dern’s crossover potential. “McKenzie Dern’s better looking than 99 percent of the room,” he stated. “You have a legit superstar, McKenzie Dern, and her body is excellent and you put a fight kit on her.”
Schaub argued that properly styling Dern in classic Hollywood fashion would have generated genuine interest from mainstream audiences and brands unfamiliar with MMA. “People would go, ‘Who the f**k is that?’ Yes, that’s our champion. She just won the belt as well. And brands go, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa.'”
According to Schaub, the entertainment industry’s respect for UFC athletes comes from an authentic place of admiration for their skills and toughness. Rather than viewing them as curiosities or security personnel, Hollywood should recognize them as elite performers in their own right.
