Charlie Brenneman's Strange Road and Bright Future After UFC
Charlie Brenneman's Strange Road and Bright Future After UFC
Former UFC welterweight Charlie Brenneman looks back at his time competing under the Zuffa banner.
Charlie Brenneman may be two years removed from his last bout under the UFC banner, but fighting never drifts all too far from his mind.
In full disclosure, the Pennsylvania native isn't pining for a call back to the promotion, or anything remotely similar in that regard, but the same mental approach Brenneman put into competition is the same one he still carries in his life beyond the cage.
Brenneman is the driving force behind "A Fighter's Mindset" podcast and motivational speaking engagements under the same tag, and in those avenues he shares lessons learned from his time as a professional fighter. Brenneman is adamant his endeavors are not rehashing old battle tales, yet, his personal philosophy as it was refined and created from his days in competition.
"I have experiences and have gained perspective through those experiences. I think people enjoy being part of a journey and I saw an ability to inspire people along the way. I saw it when I was teaching, then on reality television, then fighting in the UFC so it brought me to a place where I took an analytical approach as to what I could do about it. That's when I decided to write my book.
"I had been asked thousands of questions over 10 years of fighting and thought the best way to approach it would be to answer them all in a book. That led to me starting 'A Fighter's Mindset' podcast, which is not about literal fighting, but applying the fighter mentality to daily life. The idea if you knock me down I'll get right back up can be used on a daily basis, just as the idea of discipline, self-confidence, resilience and perseverance can be used in everyday life as well.
"All of those qualities that enabled me to get to the UFC and step up to fight Rick Story and stand on a stage with close to a million people watching on television. It's about applying that mindset--a fighter's mindset--to everyday living."
Aug. 6, 2010; Oakland, CA, USA; UFC welterweight bout fighter Charlie Brenneman during weigh ins for UFC 117 at the Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Brenneman's time inside the Octagon came with highs and lows, but the magnitude of those points of impact far exceeded many who have shared the less than normal experience of fighting at the highest level of an uncommon sport.
From his art imitating life rise to popularity in Pittsburgh, to stepping into the cage with a monster of a human being who somehow found his way down to 170 pounds, Brenneman faced it all head on, and everything in his power to seize the moment.
"If you look at it from a competitive standpoint and what that night in Pittsburgh meant to me; I don't think I'm going to have a more amazing night in regard to being a professional athlete," Brenneman said. "My wife and my children are obviously at the heart of my universe, but as a professional fighter I don't think it gets better. The stars aligned and the cosmic universe was mine that day. I honestly believe that because of that night I have a big platform to spread a message."
And while Brenneman's days inside the cage could very well be behind him, he also uses the night he defeated Story in front of a raucous hometown crowd as a great indicator of what needs to change in the UFC.
Brenneman was initially slated to face T.J. Grant on the card, but was pushed off the event when his opponent withdrew from the fight. Rather than scrap his entire training camp and fall off weight, Brenneman decided to stay on point just in case something fell out and a last-minute opportunity opened up.
As the fates would have it Nate Marquardt was flagged by the Pennsylvania Athletic Commission for having elevated testosterone levels, which put his fight against Rick Story on ice. In a crazy scramble the promotion tapped Brenneman to step in on less than 24-hour notice to fight a surging welterweight, who was positioned much further up the divisional ladder.
Nevertheless, Brenneman would step up and grind out the unanimous decision victory, but the storybook ending wasn't quite what he expected it to be.
Aug. 7, 2010; Oakland, CA, USA; UFC fighter Rick Story celebrates a TKO against Dustin Hazelett (not pictured) during the welterweight bout in UFC 117 at the Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
"When I took that fight I was told my contract was going to stay the same, but they would be giving me a nice bonus," Brenneman said. "I had my own idea of what a good bonus would be and I received a $10,000 bonus for that fight. I mean I received $5,000 after being TKO'd by 'Rumble.'
"I was cashing my check before I ever got the check and good thing I live the type of life I live because it was not what I thought.
"Now I'm in a spot where maybe my career is done, and people tell me to keep going, but I don't think there is anything left for me to experience," he added. "I've competed in spots most fighters except for those perennially in the top 5 ever experience, and that's the reality of it all. If that is what is at the top then these guys need to smarten up. I know it's not worth it."
Although Brenneman has found peace of mind beyond competition, that doesn't mean his love for fighting, or his willingness to do so has faded entirely. Brenneman is still holding out a sliver of hope things will change across the MMA landscape, and the financial payout would be worth the risk that comes with stepping into the cage.
That's not to say Brenneman truly believes those changes will come to fruition, but he sees enough indicators to give him confidence things will get better for fighters coming up through the ranks.
"It's always in the back of my mind to stay ready and not let it all go for the next six months to a year because everything is changing in this sport," Brenneman said. "The UFC sale has a lot of fighters upset and Bellator has shown a willingness to go out and sign talent for good money. I hope this shift continues to happen, and while it may never work out for me personally, I'm happy to see fighters starting to get paid closer to what they deserve.
"It's just not realistic for me in this current situation. Maybe it was Conor McGregor who started it or maybe it was someone else, but Conor had the balls to say I'm worth 'X' amount of money. That made me feel more comfortable saying I want $100,000 a fight. People are going to laugh at me, but I don't care because they aren't living my life. I'm really not trying to sound altruistic, but maybe my ship has sailed, and I'm fine with that.
"I have my memories and those are far more valuable to me."
Aug. 7, 2010; Oakland, CA, USA; UFC fighter Charlie Brenneman during the welterweight bout in UFC 117 at the Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
When it those memories become the specific topic at hand, Brenneman has no problem diving in. He'll talk about how his unexpected turn in Pittsburgh became the inspiration to name his son Rocky, and things about the crowd he'll always remember.
He will also admit people ask him about fighting Anthony Johnson all the time and it was just as terrifying as it looked, but Brenneman will also add facing 'Rumble' became the base indicator for facing fears because there are few things more frightening than having Johnson coming toward you throwing punches and kicks.
All of these things combine to give Brenneman and interesting perspective, and he will continue to share his knowledge when speaking or mentoring those who need to find their way through whatever they are dealing with.
And for that Brenneman is grateful. There are plenty of negatives he could have taken away from the fight game, but that's not the way Charlie Brenneman is wired. His is a life fueled by positivity and the fight to bring some good into the world is one he'll continue far beyond the bright lights.
"Positivity is really hard to find these days when you look out at the world we live in. I just want to help people feel good about themselves, and that's what drives me. Everyone is in such a rush to do so much and many forget the value in just keeping it simple. The way I see it...I just be. I be good, I be nice and that's that.
"A neat little thing from my time in the UFC happened when I was at Renzo Gracie's gym training," he added in conclusion. "It's a shark tank in there, and there was one practice after I beat Story and was training for Rumble where I was in the middle with Frankie and GSP, and the entire practice was centered around us.
"I think about it now and get a little emotional because what the heck? I'm from central PA, and to have that opportunity and that memory probably stands out second to be honest."
In full disclosure, the Pennsylvania native isn't pining for a call back to the promotion, or anything remotely similar in that regard, but the same mental approach Brenneman put into competition is the same one he still carries in his life beyond the cage.
Brenneman is the driving force behind "A Fighter's Mindset" podcast and motivational speaking engagements under the same tag, and in those avenues he shares lessons learned from his time as a professional fighter. Brenneman is adamant his endeavors are not rehashing old battle tales, yet, his personal philosophy as it was refined and created from his days in competition.
"I have experiences and have gained perspective through those experiences. I think people enjoy being part of a journey and I saw an ability to inspire people along the way. I saw it when I was teaching, then on reality television, then fighting in the UFC so it brought me to a place where I took an analytical approach as to what I could do about it. That's when I decided to write my book.
"I had been asked thousands of questions over 10 years of fighting and thought the best way to approach it would be to answer them all in a book. That led to me starting 'A Fighter's Mindset' podcast, which is not about literal fighting, but applying the fighter mentality to daily life. The idea if you knock me down I'll get right back up can be used on a daily basis, just as the idea of discipline, self-confidence, resilience and perseverance can be used in everyday life as well.
"All of those qualities that enabled me to get to the UFC and step up to fight Rick Story and stand on a stage with close to a million people watching on television. It's about applying that mindset--a fighter's mindset--to everyday living."
Aug. 6, 2010; Oakland, CA, USA; UFC welterweight bout fighter Charlie Brenneman during weigh ins for UFC 117 at the Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Brenneman's time inside the Octagon came with highs and lows, but the magnitude of those points of impact far exceeded many who have shared the less than normal experience of fighting at the highest level of an uncommon sport.
From his art imitating life rise to popularity in Pittsburgh, to stepping into the cage with a monster of a human being who somehow found his way down to 170 pounds, Brenneman faced it all head on, and everything in his power to seize the moment.
"If you look at it from a competitive standpoint and what that night in Pittsburgh meant to me; I don't think I'm going to have a more amazing night in regard to being a professional athlete," Brenneman said. "My wife and my children are obviously at the heart of my universe, but as a professional fighter I don't think it gets better. The stars aligned and the cosmic universe was mine that day. I honestly believe that because of that night I have a big platform to spread a message."
And while Brenneman's days inside the cage could very well be behind him, he also uses the night he defeated Story in front of a raucous hometown crowd as a great indicator of what needs to change in the UFC.
Brenneman was initially slated to face T.J. Grant on the card, but was pushed off the event when his opponent withdrew from the fight. Rather than scrap his entire training camp and fall off weight, Brenneman decided to stay on point just in case something fell out and a last-minute opportunity opened up.
As the fates would have it Nate Marquardt was flagged by the Pennsylvania Athletic Commission for having elevated testosterone levels, which put his fight against Rick Story on ice. In a crazy scramble the promotion tapped Brenneman to step in on less than 24-hour notice to fight a surging welterweight, who was positioned much further up the divisional ladder.
Nevertheless, Brenneman would step up and grind out the unanimous decision victory, but the storybook ending wasn't quite what he expected it to be.
Aug. 7, 2010; Oakland, CA, USA; UFC fighter Rick Story celebrates a TKO against Dustin Hazelett (not pictured) during the welterweight bout in UFC 117 at the Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
"When I took that fight I was told my contract was going to stay the same, but they would be giving me a nice bonus," Brenneman said. "I had my own idea of what a good bonus would be and I received a $10,000 bonus for that fight. I mean I received $5,000 after being TKO'd by 'Rumble.'
"I was cashing my check before I ever got the check and good thing I live the type of life I live because it was not what I thought.
"Now I'm in a spot where maybe my career is done, and people tell me to keep going, but I don't think there is anything left for me to experience," he added. "I've competed in spots most fighters except for those perennially in the top 5 ever experience, and that's the reality of it all. If that is what is at the top then these guys need to smarten up. I know it's not worth it."
Although Brenneman has found peace of mind beyond competition, that doesn't mean his love for fighting, or his willingness to do so has faded entirely. Brenneman is still holding out a sliver of hope things will change across the MMA landscape, and the financial payout would be worth the risk that comes with stepping into the cage.
That's not to say Brenneman truly believes those changes will come to fruition, but he sees enough indicators to give him confidence things will get better for fighters coming up through the ranks.
"It's always in the back of my mind to stay ready and not let it all go for the next six months to a year because everything is changing in this sport," Brenneman said. "The UFC sale has a lot of fighters upset and Bellator has shown a willingness to go out and sign talent for good money. I hope this shift continues to happen, and while it may never work out for me personally, I'm happy to see fighters starting to get paid closer to what they deserve.
"It's just not realistic for me in this current situation. Maybe it was Conor McGregor who started it or maybe it was someone else, but Conor had the balls to say I'm worth 'X' amount of money. That made me feel more comfortable saying I want $100,000 a fight. People are going to laugh at me, but I don't care because they aren't living my life. I'm really not trying to sound altruistic, but maybe my ship has sailed, and I'm fine with that.
"I have my memories and those are far more valuable to me."
Aug. 7, 2010; Oakland, CA, USA; UFC fighter Charlie Brenneman during the welterweight bout in UFC 117 at the Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
When it those memories become the specific topic at hand, Brenneman has no problem diving in. He'll talk about how his unexpected turn in Pittsburgh became the inspiration to name his son Rocky, and things about the crowd he'll always remember.
He will also admit people ask him about fighting Anthony Johnson all the time and it was just as terrifying as it looked, but Brenneman will also add facing 'Rumble' became the base indicator for facing fears because there are few things more frightening than having Johnson coming toward you throwing punches and kicks.
All of these things combine to give Brenneman and interesting perspective, and he will continue to share his knowledge when speaking or mentoring those who need to find their way through whatever they are dealing with.
And for that Brenneman is grateful. There are plenty of negatives he could have taken away from the fight game, but that's not the way Charlie Brenneman is wired. His is a life fueled by positivity and the fight to bring some good into the world is one he'll continue far beyond the bright lights.
"Positivity is really hard to find these days when you look out at the world we live in. I just want to help people feel good about themselves, and that's what drives me. Everyone is in such a rush to do so much and many forget the value in just keeping it simple. The way I see it...I just be. I be good, I be nice and that's that.
"A neat little thing from my time in the UFC happened when I was at Renzo Gracie's gym training," he added in conclusion. "It's a shark tank in there, and there was one practice after I beat Story and was training for Rumble where I was in the middle with Frankie and GSP, and the entire practice was centered around us.
"I think about it now and get a little emotional because what the heck? I'm from central PA, and to have that opportunity and that memory probably stands out second to be honest."