UFC veteran Brendan Schaub has criticized the appearance of fighters Mackenzie Dern and Brian Ortega at the Golden Globes, comparing their presentation to circus animals in a scathing commentary on his podcast.
During an episode of TFATK, Schaub expressed frustration with how the UFC fighters were showcased at the prestigious awards ceremony when the organization announced its partnership with Paramount. The former heavyweight contender, who has experience working entertainment industry events himself, felt the fighters deserved better treatment.
According to Schaub, Dern and Ortega appeared on stage wearing UFC kit with gloves on, which he found deeply problematic. He questioned why neither of them refused the arrangement, suggesting they should have insisted on wearing formal attire like other attendees.
Schaub said, “For them to put them in UFC fight kit and put their gloves on, how neither one went, ‘Oh, absolutely no. I’m wearing my s**t, dude. I’m just gonna wear my regular clothes so I look like everybody else. I’m not gonna be a circus elephant and get in my fight kit and put and put gloves on.'”
He argued the UFC stars should have worn regular clothes to blend in with the Hollywood crowd rather than being presented as spectacles.
The podcast host acknowledged both Dern and Ortega are attractive people but felt the staging was poorly executed.
He specifically noted that Dern is better looking than most people in the room and should have been dressed in a vintage Hollywood gown that would allow her to “blow the doors off everyone.”
Shcaub went on to outline what he believed should have been the goal. “Everyone in the audience and at home is going to go, ‘Holy s**t, who is that?’ They Google it and go, ‘Holy s**, she’s a bada*s.’Oh, let me look at her history. Oh my god, I’m going to watch UFC now. I didn’t know somebody that pretty could also be the most talented fighter in the world.’”
In his view, positioning Dern as a glamorous, mysterious figure could have sparked genuine curiosity and driven new fans toward the sport, rather than presenting her and Ortega as in fight gear.
The former star suggested the presentation represented a significant missed opportunity.
