The one-time Buffalo Bills practice-squad member is another in a growing line of former football players making a transition to MMA. Mitrione, Schaub’s TUF teammate, starred as a defensive end at Purdue and made the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent. His experience as a pass rusher trained him to use his hips to explode with power and throw his hands efficiently and effectively.
A native of Aurora, Colorado, Schaub was an all-state performer in football and lacrosse and earned a scholarship to the University of Colorado, where he played four years at fullback and on special teams. While defensive lineman revel in the glory of a key tackle or a quarterback sack, Schaub did the dirty work in the trenches that led to his running backs scoring points and the adulation of fans. It was also a clue to the kind of work ethic it would take to succeed in MMA, a career he pursued full-time after playing for the Arena Football league’s Utah Blaze and leaving the Bills after failing to make their active roster.
“Playing fullback is a non-glory job,” Schaub said. “You’re blocking for the running back, he scores a touchdown, and you really don’t get credit for it. You’re out there busting your ass. I’ve had concussions and terrible shoulder injuries I tried to play through. You deal with it every day and perform when the pressure’s on and when you might have an injury you fight through that.
“Mixed martial arts is that and even more intense. For me I have a mental edge over my opponents because of what I went through playing football and playing fullback.”
That edge gained him entry and respect at Nate Marquardt’s Denver-based High Altitude Martial Arts gym where he splits time with Grudge Training Center and training with Shane Carwin. The UFC interim heavyweight champion will unify the title if he defeats Brock Lesnar in the main event of UFC 116. Against Tuchscherer, Schaub plans on imposing his will and showing a few flashes of what’s to come.
“The scary thing about Shane is you guys haven’t seen anything yet,” Schaub said. “Wait until you see him. I’m used to that Shane Carwin and being in the worst possible positions with that guy. I’m here because of Shane. We make each other so much better. I can’t wait for me to start with Tuchscherer and set the pace for Shane in the main event. And honestly I think Shane is going to steamroll through Lesnar.”
Ironically, Tuchscherer trains with Lesnar at the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy. He’s not Schaub’s best opponent to date, but could be harder to put away quickly as Schaub is used to. While all five Schaub’s five knockout wins have lasted 87 seconds or less, Tuchscherer is 18-2-1 with one loss coming via knockout and six of his bouts going the distance (5-1).
“If the opportunity is there I’d love to finish him early but I think it’s going to be tough with this guy,” Schaub said.
Even tougher than meeting his idol.