Overview of The Fight Game Is Broken (Here’s Why) | TFATK Ep. 1161
Brendan Schaub and Bryan Callen recap recent fight-weekend experiences (Ring Magazine Awards, big boxing cards in New York), break down what’s wrong with modern boxing and MMA, and highlight standout fighters and industry trends. The episode mixes fight analysis (Shakur Stevenson, Oleksandr Usyk, Teofimo López, Alexander Volkanovski, Arman Tsarukyan), business critique (unsustainable payouts, promoter incentives), and pop-culture/viral anecdotes from ringside and social media.
Key topics discussed
- Ringside experience and celebrity/fighter interactions
- Brendan’s night at the Ring Magazine Boxing Awards: sat near the biggest names (Usyk, Canelo, Terrence Crawford, Bernard Hopkins, Triple G, Max Kellerman) and observed hospitality from Saudi host Turki Al-Sheikh.
- Anecdotes about roasting fighters/promoters, tuxedo stories, and New York travel.
- Fight and fighter analysis
- Shakur Stevenson: praised as elite—exceptional speed, distance control, timing; he “downloads” opponents and dismantled Teofimo López.
- Oleksandr Usyk: hailed as potentially the best/most skilled heavyweight/cruiser-to-heavyweight for his boxing IQ and technique.
- Teofimo López: recognized as a strong fighter but revealed as outmatched by Stevenson’s speed.
- Alexander Volkanovski: described as dominant and likely to hold the 55 lb division for a long time.
- Arman Tsarukyan (called “Arman”/“Armin”): discussed potential cut to 145 for a big-money/legacy fight with Volk, plus the problems around matchmaking at 155.
- Heavyweight MMA decline: hosts argue many modern heavyweights lack conditioning and don’t draw the same excitement as lighter, more skilled fighters.
- Industry/business critique
- Inflated paychecks in boxing (Canelo, Jake Paul, AJ, etc.) are unsustainable for promoters; big one-off payouts may be hurting the long-term health of the sport.
- Dana White’s potential influence: running boxing more like a regulated business could create consistency, better matchmaking, and sustainable promotion (though fighter pay vs. business longevity remains contentious).
- Promoter economics: high fighter guarantees don’t always match pay-per-view receipts; promoters pulled back when losses occur.
- Viral/side stories and culture
- Various social-media clips, wild news items (teacher accused of relationships with minors, hairpiece knocked off at a fight, viral fights, barbershop scam), and boxing/MMA community gossip (Oscar De La Hoya’s financial troubles, Epstein files mentions).
Main takeaways
- Boxing’s current payout inflation is a market problem: superstar payouts have become disconnected from sustainable revenue models, making it harder to build consistent, repeatable marquee events.
- Dana/organizational leadership that prioritizes consistent matchmaking, storytelling, and sustainable fighter pay could stabilize and grow boxing (even if top fighters make less per fight than recent outliers).
- Elite talent still exists and shines: Shakur Stevenson and Oleksandr Usyk drew particular praise for skill and ring IQ—these are the types of athletes who keep the sport compelling.
- MMA divisional issues: featherweight/lightweight title scenes and 155 lb matchmaking are muddled; Arman Tsarukyan’s path illustrates the difficulties of talent flow and title shots.
- Heavyweight drawing power in MMA is waning due to poor conditioning and less exciting skill sets; this hurts the product and fan interest compared with more active, skilled divisions.
- Fighter professionalism matters: conditioning, discipline (weight/fitness), and consistent activity are essential for credibility and viewer interest.
Notable quotes & insights
- On Shakur Stevenson: “You don’t realize how good he is until you see him in person… his speed, distance management—oh my God.”
- On Usyk: “He’s the most skilled heavyweight of all time—one of the GOATs… his boxing science is astounding.”
- On inflated boxer pay: “Those promoters paying that money, they’re not getting that back… you can’t run a business that way.”
- On Saudis/Turki Al-Sheikh hospitality: “If you are their guest you are gold… they treated me better than anyone I’ve worked with.”
- On heavyweights in MMA: “You want to talk about the growth of the UFC? Go back eight years and watch the heavyweights — now we’re going backwards.”
Recommended fighters / fights to watch
- Shakur Stevenson — watch for elite technical boxing and future big fights.
- Oleksandr Usyk — technical mastery; any major heavyweight matchups will be must-see.
- Alexander Volkanovski — dominant champ at 145/155 discussions; taxing legacy for challengers.
- Arman Tsarukyan — a prospect to watch if he moves weight classes or gets a title shot.
- Rumored/possible: Usyk vs. Wilder (rumored July date) — high-profile matchup if confirmed.
Practical implications / recommendations (for fans, fighters, promoters)
- For promoters: pursue a sustainable business model—align fighter pay with revenue, promote consistent rematches/mandatories, and build recurring storylines rather than one-off huge guarantees.
- For fighters: prioritize conditioning, discipline on weight cuts, and consistent activity to keep divisions healthy and fan interest high.
- For fans: focus attention (and dollars) on fighters who deliver consistent competition and storytelling over occasional spectacle payouts; watch the highlighted rising names and skillful boxers noted above.
Closing note
The episode blends ringside color with real structural critique: great athletes still make fights compelling, but systemic issues—payout inflation, inconsistent matchmaking, and uneven fighter professionalism—are eroding the long-term health and credibility of the fight business.