More than a week has passed since the highly debated 12-round WBC, WBO, and WBA heavyweight title rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia. Despite the passage of time, the fight remains a focal point of controversy, largely due to Fury’s reluctance to accept the outcome gracefully. The decision, scored 116-112 in Usyk’s favor, did not sit well with the former champion, who accused the judges of handing ‘The Cat’ an early “Christmas gift.”

Furthermore, during the post-fight press conference, Fury went a step further, questioning the result of their first fight in May—a bout he also lost—stating, “I feel like I won both fights.” As the buzz around the rematch shows no signs of slowing, ‘The Gypsy King’s’ reaction has become a key talking point among analysts and combat sports enthusiasts. Recently, former MMA fighter and analyst Chael Sonnen offered his perspective on the reasons behind Tyson Fury’s loss.

While acknowledging that “the fight was close,” ‘The American Gangster’ attributed Fury’s defeat to a critical miscalculation: his decision to add significant weight before the rematch. Sonnen, emphasizing the importance of preparation, highlighted Fury’s rigorous “beast mode” training camp, which involved isolating himself from his family for months. However, Sonnen argued that this approach might have backfired.

“This brought me real stress,” Sonnen remarked. “It bothered me when Fury was heavier. In both the isolation and the mindset, I bought into the inconvenience and laser focus. But if you’re consuming more calories than you’re burning, why did you work less hard? Did you burn calories, or did you just eat more? Fury fought well, but in hindsight, does he wish he’d come in 20 pounds lighter? A 20-pound weight gain does nothing but slow you down.”

Fury’s decision to bulk up—coming in the rematch at 281 pounds, a staggering 55 pounds heavier than Usyk—has drawn significant scrutiny from fans and media alike. Renowned outlets like Forbes have questioned whether the added weight provided an advantage or proved to be a hindrance. After all, as Conor McGregor once famously said, “Speed beats power,” a sentiment echoed by Bruce Lee’s timeless principle: “The less you carry, the faster you move.”

Nevertheless, despite what many consider one of Fury’s most underwhelming performances to date, a former UFC heavyweight has provided a fresh perspective. Let’s dive into his unique analysis of ‘The Gypsy King’s’ approach and performance in the rematch.

Brendan Schaub on Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk

Brendan Schaub’s perspective on Oleksandr Usyk’s victory over Tyson Fury is refreshingly straightforward. Unlike some, Schaub rejects the “robbery” claim and fully accepts Usyk’s victory, acknowledging Fury’s rightful defeat. However, Schaub diverges from Sonnen’s earlier assessment that Fury’s increased weight was a significant factor in his performance. Instead, Schaub argues that the British heavyweight showed notable improvement in the rematch compared to their first fight. He also credited ‘The Cat’ for elevating his game since their initial bout.

“The question is, was Fury better than in the last fight? 100, 110%. He definitely got better,” the former UFC heavyweight said, sharing his candid thoughts on his YouTube podcast Thiccc Boys. “He made some adjustments and came in phenomenal shape. Even though when I saw how heavy he was, I was like, ‘Oh, this ain’t good.’ His cardio was great, he got better later in the rounds, and won some rounds, especially midway through the fight. In that last round, his cardio was not the issue. So, he definitely took this seriously.”

What are your thoughts on the Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk rematch? Do you believe ‘The Gypsy King’s’ “beast mode” preparation tactics worked against him, potentially contributing to his loss? Feel free to share your opinions below.