LAS VEGAS -- Brendan Schaub has an opinion on Travis Browne switching fight camps ahead of their heavyweight matchup this weekend at UFC 181.
It's not a positive one.
Schaub (10-4) has made it known he believes Browne (16-2-1) made a mistake this year by moving away from Jackson-Winkeljohn MMA in favor of Glendale Fight Club in Southern California. Browne made the move following a one-sided unanimous decision loss to Fabricio Werdum in April.
The gym and its head coach, Edmond Tarverdyan, are best known for housing UFC female bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey. In Schaub's humble opinion, the gym isn't responsible for Rousey's success.
"I don't think it's going to pay off for him," said Schaub, on Browne's move. "It's Ronda Rousey's camp. We all know [Tarverdyan] from Ronda Rousey, but Ronda Rousey's mom is the one who created Ronda Rousey. She deserves the credit, but we give Edmond all this credit. Why? Is he this elite striking coach? No.
"Now if he had Ronda's mom in his corner, then we'd have an issue. If Dec. 6, he has Ronda's mom in his corner, I'm s----ing bricks because that woman is a beast."
In addition to Tarverdyan, Browne's team includes grappling coaches Neil Melanson and Ricky Lundell. When speaking about the move to GFC, Browne told ESPN.com, "I can say 100 percent I made a good decision. We're expecting to win on Dec. 6, but win, lose or draw, I'm a better fighter than I was before. My skill set, mentality, conditioning -- there is nothing that I haven't progressed in."
Schaub, 31, who is coming off a controversial split decision loss to Andrei Arlovski in June, called Browne a "great guy" and said he could be considered the best pure athlete in the division.
He did add, however, he hopes Browne comes into the fight healthy. Schaub's perspective has been Browne has a track record of complaining about injuries after a loss.
"Hopefully, he's 100 percent healthy," Schaub said. "Every loss he has, it's, 'Well, he did break his hand and foot.' My left hand was broke when I fought Arlovski, did anyone know about it? Nope. Because I don't make excuses for that fight. It was pure s---. When he lost to [Antonio Silva], he hurt his knee.
"It's called getting your ass whooped. That's what it's called. That kind of s--- happens when you get beat up for five rounds. I just hope he's healthy. I truly believe he's the most dangerous heavyweight in the world. He's a handful, and I'm looking forward to this one."
Browne has stated in interviews he was injured in both fights, but has credited both opponents for beating him.
A former contestant on "The Ultimate Fighter" reality series, Schaub is 2-3 in his last five fights but considers his stock on the rise -- especially because he feels "99 percent" of people thought he actually beat Arlovski.
The fact that he's matched up against Browne, Schaub says, is evidence the UFC is treating the loss as a win. Browne is still considered a top-ranked heavyweight, despite a loss in his last bout.
"He's No. 3 in the world," Schaub said. "I've been talking about how I can beat the best and here's my chance to prove it. He's No. 3, I think I'm No. 3, so here you go. That's how it works in the UFC. 'Oh really? You think you can beat the No. 3 guy in the world? Then here you go.'
"I beat Matt Mitrione, who was ranked No. 15. I beat Gabriel Gonzaga who was ranked No. 11 or something. Arlovski was ranked No. 7 and now Browne No. 3. I can't do anything about my ranking, that's up to you guys, but I could care less. I beat Travis, that will put me in a good position."
