Does the UFC need Ilia Topuria to defeat Justin Gaethje and remain one of the promotion’s biggest global superstars? Brendan Schaub reacts to Luke Thomas’ theory that the UFC is booking immediate rematches to produce the outcomes—and champions—it originally wanted. Brendan explains why Topuria’s marketability, remaining career and potential historic event at the Colosseum could make an Ilia victory extremely valuable to the UFC. The Big Brown Breakdown also covers Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland, Alex Pereira’s potential path to another championship, Jon Jones’ exchange with Islam Makhachev, Brian Ortega withdrawing from UFC 331 and the current state of the UFC heavyweight division. Plus, Brendan breaks down Alexandre Pantoja vs. Joshua Van, Tommy McMillen’s future, Alexander Volkanovski’s next move, UFC fighter pay and the upcoming UFC 331 fight companion. Subscribe for more UFC news, MMA analysis, fight predictions and live Big Brown Breakdown episodes with Brendan Schaub. #IliaTopuria #JustinGaethje #UFC #MMA #BrendanSchaub #BigBrownBreakdown Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:33 UFC 331 Fight Week Preview 04:15 The UFC Heavyweight Division Moves Forward 05:27 Mauricio Ruffy’s Grappling Problem 06:42 Fans Are Overlooking Alexandre Pantoja 07:34 Should Tai Tuivasa Retire? 08:34 Tommy McMillen’s Reckless Fighting Style 10:03 Brendan’s Assault Bike Conditioning Routine 12:09 Who Deserves the Next Heavyweight Title Shot? 13:06 What Getting Rocked in a Fight Feels Like 13:54 Brendan Is Off the Khamzat Chimaev Train 16:21 The Right Next Fight for Tommy McMillen 17:37 The Problem With Mercy Rules in Youth Sports 18:46 Oscar De La Hoya and Ryan Garcia 19:33 Could Prime Brendan Win the UFC Belt Today? 19:49 Brendan Responds to Urijah Faber 20:28 Brian Ortega Withdraws From UFC 331 23:12 Booking the Heavyweight Division 24:00 Brendan’s Honest Take on the F1 Crowd 26:01 UFC’s Treatment of Tai Tuivasa 26:22 Alexander Volkanovski’s Next Move 29:05 Tommy McMillen’s Smart Career Strategy 30:44 What Went Wrong With Bella Mir 34:13 Alex Pereira’s Heavyweight Championship Path 38:09 Who Gets the Next Lightweight Title Shot? 41:03 UFC 331 Main Card Preview 46:37 Why UFC Fighters Aren’t Paid Like Boxers 48:00 Jon Jones vs. Islam Makhachev 51:01 Can the Heavyweight Division Finally Move Forward? 54:45 Brendan Books the UFC Heavyweight Division 56:55 Should Alex Pereira Get a Heavyweight Title Shot? 58:11 Brendan Defends Tom Aspinall 58:59 Will Tom Aspinall Fight Again? 59:54 UFC’s Immediate Rematch Problem 01:01:23 Is the UFC Trying to Get the Results It Wants? 01:02:11 Why the UFC Wants Alex Pereira as Champion 01:03:34 The UFC Needs Ilia Topuria to Win 01:03:59 Topuria vs. Gaethje Rematch 01:04:52 Why Doesn’t Topuria Want Paddy Pimblett? 01:06:09 UFC’s Plan to Make History 01:08:05 Brian Ortega’s Opponent Goes Off 01:08:38 Dustin Poirier’s Sobriety Update 01:10:19 UFC 331 Fight Companion Announcement