The last time we saw Brendan Schaub inside the octagon was Dec. 6, 2014, at UFC 181, and he was getting pummeled by Travis Browne before losing via first-round TKO.

There was nothing pretty about it as Schaub’s second consecutive loss brought his UFC record to 6-5 over a five-year period. Two days later, Joe Rogan kept it real on his podcast as he questioned Schaub’s commitment to fighting.

It was brutal. But it was needed.

“That podcast, people were like, ‘God, dude, that was so mean,'” Schaub said. “I didn’t take it that way. It was heartbreaking for sure. But it was also his way of saying, ‘You could do other things, man.’ …

“And it hits me: I’m like, ‘Oh shit, I’m never going to be champ. This is how this movie ends for me, isn’t it?'”

Schaub, however, found an unlikely path to success, teaming up with his best friend, actor and comedian Bryan Callen, to co-host the popular “The Fighter and the Kid” podcast. And before Schaub knew it, he was doing stand-up himself.

The video above, which includes footage of a show at the Ice House in Pasadena, Calif., beautifully tells Schaub’s story and is well worth your time.

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