Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Phil Daru from Marek Health joins Brendan Schaub and Bryan Callen on The Fighter and The Kid to break down Khamzat Chimaev’s cardio issues, fighter mentality, overtraining, Bo Nickal’s wrestling-heavy style, concussion damage, sports-specific training, and the science behind elite UFC performance.
Phil Daru has trained world champions across UFC, boxing, bare knuckle fighting, and professional sports, and explains what separates elite fighters from great athletes — including recovery, strength & conditioning, weight cuts, endurance, mobility, and mental toughness.
The crew also discusses Sean Strickland, Khabib’s pressure style, football injuries, combat sports psychology, and why some fighters mentally break under pressure.
Shopify - Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/fighter
QUO - Money is on the line. Always say hello with QUO. Try QUO for free PLUS get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to quo.com/FIGTHER. That’s quo.com/FIGTHER
O'Reilly - Stop by O’Reilly Auto Parts today or visit us at oreillyauto.com/FIGHTER that’s oreillyauto.com/FIGHTER
Progressive - See if you could save when you switch to Progressive. You’ll feel good about making a savvy choice. Visit progressive.com and see if you can enjoy a little extra cash back.
Follow Phil Daru:
Instagram: @darustrong
YouTube: Phil Daru YouTube
Marek Health: Marek Health
#TFATK #PhilDaru #MarekHealth #UFC #MMA #Khamzat #BrendanSchaub #BryanCallen #BoNickal
For more The Fighter and The Kid visit: fatkz.com
Brendan's Tour Dates: fatkz.com/brendan-schaub-tour-dates
Bryan’s Tour Dates: bryancallen.com
Follow Brendan on social media:
Twitter
twitter.com/brendanschaub
Instagram
instagram.com/brendanschaub
Thicccboy YT
youtube.com/c/thicccboy
Follow Bryan on social media:
Twitter
twitter.com/bryancallen
Instagram
instagram.com/bryancallen
“Best Of” series, new episodes drop every Monday
youtu.be/LqB7FOkLwqs
TFATK Clips Channel: youtube.com/channel/UCohZMReM1dQ5BMeYOlr71mA
The Fighter and The Kid on Facebook:
facebook.com/thefighterandthekid
Listen to The Fighter and The Kid on Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/fighterandthekid
Subscribe to The Fighter and The Kid on iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fighter-the-kid/id706421907?mt=2
Chapters
00:00 – Phil Daru Joins TFATK
01:05 – Khamzat Chimaev’s Cardio & Weight Cut Debate
04:20 – Is Khamzat’s Biggest Problem Mental?
07:05 – Sean Strickland vs Khamzat Breakdown
10:45 – Why Khabib’s Wrestling Was Different
13:00 – Bo Nickal’s Biggest Weakness
16:15 – Gable Steveson’s UFC Potential
18:30 – Why Heavyweights Are Different
20:40 – Why MMA Fans Turn On Fighters
21:35 – Should Bo Nickal Stop Striking?
24:00 – Fighters Who THINK They Can Box
26:35 – What “Sports Specific” Training Really Means
29:00 – Why Some Fighters Are Shockingly Weak
31:10 – Bryan Callen Wants To Get Jacked
33:00 – Strength Training For Fighters Explained
35:05 – Grip Strength & Wrestling Training
36:15 – Phil Daru’s Football Career & Concussions
38:40 – Why College Athletes Stay Longer Now
40:10 – NFL Training Camp Pressure
42:00 – Florida Gyms, Comedy & Lifestyle Talk
43:10 – Jake Bostwick Stories
45:05 – Crazy Detroit Fight Story
47:20 – Hector Lombard Stories
50:10 – Bare Knuckle Fight Talk
Phil Daru from Marek Health joins Brendan Schaub and Bryan Callen on The Fighter and The Kid to break down Khamzat Chimaev’s cardio issues, fighter mentality, overtraining, Bo Nickal’s wrestling-heavy style, concussion damage, sports-specific training, and the science behind elite UFC performance.
Phil Daru has trained world champions across UFC, boxing, bare knuckle fighting, and professional sports, and explains what separates elite fighters from great athletes — including recovery, strength & conditioning, weight cuts, endurance, mobility, and mental toughness.
The crew also discusses Sean Strickland, Khabib’s pressure style, football injuries, combat sports psychology, and why some fighters mentally break under pressure.
Shopify - Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/fighter
QUO - Money is on the line. Always say hello with QUO. Try QUO for free PLUS get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to quo.com/FIGTHER. That’s quo.com/FIGTHER
O'Reilly - Stop by O’Reilly Auto Parts today or visit us at oreillyauto.com/FIGHTER that’s oreillyauto.com/FIGHTER
Progressive - See if you could save when you switch to Progressive. You’ll feel good about making a savvy choice. Visit progressive.com and see if you can enjoy a little extra cash back.
Follow Phil Daru:
Instagram: @darustrong
YouTube: Phil Daru YouTube
Marek Health: Marek Health
#TFATK #PhilDaru #MarekHealth #UFC #MMA #Khamzat #BrendanSchaub #BryanCallen #BoNickal
For more The Fighter and The Kid visit: fatkz.com
Brendan's Tour Dates: fatkz.com/brendan-schaub-tour-dates
Bryan’s Tour Dates: bryancallen.com
Follow Brendan on social media:
twitter.com/brendanschaub
instagram.com/brendanschaub
Thicccboy YT
youtube.com/c/thicccboy
Follow Bryan on social media:
twitter.com/bryancallen
instagram.com/bryancallen
“Best Of” series, new episodes drop every Monday
youtu.be/LqB7FOkLwqs
TFATK Clips Channel: youtube.com/channel/UCohZMReM1dQ5BMeYOlr71mA
The Fighter and The Kid on Facebook:
facebook.com/thefighterandthekid
Listen to The Fighter and The Kid on Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/fighterandthekid
Subscribe to The Fighter and The Kid on iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fighter-the-kid/id706421907?mt=2
Chapters
00:00 – Phil Daru Joins TFATK
01:05 – Khamzat Chimaev’s Cardio & Weight Cut Debate
04:20 – Is Khamzat’s Biggest Problem Mental?
07:05 – Sean Strickland vs Khamzat Breakdown
10:45 – Why Khabib’s Wrestling Was Different
13:00 – Bo Nickal’s Biggest Weakness
16:15 – Gable Steveson’s UFC Potential
18:30 – Why Heavyweights Are Different
20:40 – Why MMA Fans Turn On Fighters
21:35 – Should Bo Nickal Stop Striking?
24:00 – Fighters Who THINK They Can Box
26:35 – What “Sports Specific” Training Really Means
29:00 – Why Some Fighters Are Shockingly Weak
31:10 – Bryan Callen Wants To Get Jacked
33:00 – Strength Training For Fighters Explained
35:05 – Grip Strength & Wrestling Training
36:15 – Phil Daru’s Football Career & Concussions
38:40 – Why College Athletes Stay Longer Now
40:10 – NFL Training Camp Pressure
42:00 – Florida Gyms, Comedy & Lifestyle Talk
43:10 – Jake Bostwick Stories
45:05 – Crazy Detroit Fight Story
47:20 – Hector Lombard Stories
50:10 – Bare Knuckle Fight Talk
