Overview of THE GABLE STEVESON LOSS CHANGES EVERYTHING | TFATK Ep. 1223
This episode of The Fighter and The Kid is a mix of UFC recap, sports hot takes, and pop-culture/current-events commentary. The biggest focus is Gable Steveson’s shocking MMA loss and what it says about the gap between elite wrestling and actual MMA. Brendan Schaub and the crew also dig into UFC judging trends, praise a few standout fighters, and riff on everything from Kentucky horse money to a controversial Converse ad, Ed Sheeran drama, and a handful of viral internet clips.
UFC and Combat Sports Recap
Gable Steveson’s loss changes the conversation
- The hosts treat Steveson’s loss as a major reality check.
- Their core argument: wrestling is not fighting, especially in MMA, where striking, cage awareness, and damage matter just as much as takedowns.
- They note that Steveson looked hesitant on the feet and that closing his eyes/turning away while striking is a huge red flag.
- The discussion frames his UFC run as too much, too soon:
- He may need more time developing striking and MMA-specific skills.
- They suggest he should slow down, build experience in lower-level fights, and return later if he wants a serious title run.
- They compare him to:
- Bo Nickal, as a cautionary but ultimately healthier development path
- Brock Lesnar, who succeeded through overwhelming physicality
- Yoel Romero, as an example of an elite wrestler whose athleticism translated better
Judging is shifting toward damage
- The hosts argue that MMA judging is increasingly rewarding damage over control.
- Grapplers can’t just hold position anymore; they need to inflict damage to win rounds.
- They say this trend will hurt fighters who rely on takedowns without meaningful ground offense.
- That point ties directly into their critique of Steveson and other wrestlers trying to force MMA success too early.
Other fight talk from the card
- They liked the overall UFC card and said it was one of the better ones in a while.
- Marlon “Chito” Vera is mentioned positively.
- Charles Jourdain is praised for being smart after he stopped once he felt his vision going.
- Tai Tuivasa is criticized for continued losses, with the hosts joking that he needs grappling/jiu-jitsu work.
- Pantoja vs. Joshua Van is discussed at length:
- Pantoja’s control and damage were viewed as the winning formula.
- Van impressed them as a dangerous young flyweight with elite boxing, cardio, and composure.
- Their only concern with Van is that he still gets hit, which could be a problem against a heavier hitter.
Kentucky, Horses, and Wild Humor
- The show opens with travel talk from Louisville, Kentucky, including bourbon, heat, horse farms, and “horse money.”
- That leads to a long joke riff about:
- racehorse stud fees
- horse semen being absurdly expensive
- sperm banks and “donor value”
- The bit turns into a running joke about age, genetics, and who would or wouldn’t qualify as a sperm donor.
Current Events and Pop Culture
Converse ad controversy
- The hosts mock the online backlash over a Converse ad that some people claimed was racist.
- Their view:
- the criticism is overblown
- the internet loves manufacturing outrage
- social media is filled with people looking for attention and conflict
- They emphasize context, noting the ad was made in Malaysia and that the outrage felt performative.
Ed Sheeran’s on-stage comments
- They discuss Ed Sheeran’s recent emotional response to controversy at a show.
- Their takeaway:
- he should have kept it more direct and less scripted
- music shows shouldn’t become political stages unless that’s the point
- They’re skeptical of artists using concerts to make broad statements.
Carrot Top and troubling allegations
- They briefly cover the report that Carrot Top allegedly tried to end his life amid extortion accusations.
- The tone is sympathetic, with the hosts calling him talented and wishing him well.
Cindy Crawford’s son
- They mention the sad story of Cindy Crawford’s son struggling with addiction and rehab.
- The point they make: wealth, privilege, and good looks don’t protect someone from addiction or personal problems.
Viral and Random Internet Moments
J.Lo lookalike mugshot
- A mugshot goes viral because the woman looks strikingly like Jennifer Lopez.
- The hosts joke about the resemblance while noting she appears to be having serious life problems.
Iggy Pop’s body
- They react to a recent image of Iggy Pop and joke about old rock stars aging in ways that are hard to ignore.
Chinese street fight clip
- The episode ends with a clip of an older man in China handling younger aggressors.
- The hosts enjoy the irony of the older guy calmly winning the exchange while smoking a cigarette and staying unfazed.
Main Takeaways
- Elite wrestling alone does not equal MMA success.
- Damage is becoming more important than control in judging.
- Gable Steveson likely needs more development before being a real UFC threat.
- Joshua Van and Pantoja impressed as part of a strong UFC night.
- The episode balances serious fight analysis with the usual TFATK mix of outrageous jokes, internet drama, and random viral commentary.