Four-time World’s Strongest Man (WSM) Brian Shaw recently retired from competitive strongman following his second victory at his namesake strongman contest, the 2023 Shaw Classic. Following his departure from the sport he was a dominant figure in for so many years, fans wondered what Shaw’s next athletic venture would be beyond advancing his goals as an event promoter.
On Oct. 13, 2023, Shaw shared the answer. He published a video on his YouTube channel reviewing a potential mixed martial arts (MMA) opportunity and what his goals for a career in combat sports entail. Watch his explanation below:
[Related: Hafthor Björnsson Will Return to Strongman in Three Contests in 2024]
Brian Shaw’s Goals Post-Strongman
With his competitive strongman days behind him, Shaw’s new goals include dropping weight, learning new skills, and getting into better shape. MMA checks all those boxes, blending a new skill set with training that would improve his conditioning and shed body fat.
Shaw has been fascinated with MMA since he was younger and will seemingly get the opportunity to test his hand in the octagon in the Open weight class. The heavyweight weight cap in Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) is 265 pounds, but the Open class allows for any weight, including Shaw’s approximate 400-pound physique.
Brian Shaw’s MMA Training
Shaw’s MMA training has already begun at the High Altitude Martial Arts in Denver, CO, with retired Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter Cody Donovan. Donovan had a four-fight stint competing in the UFC’s Light Heavyweight division. Shaw is learning to spar, grapple, perform a takedown, and finish as though he were a combatant in the octagon.
Shaw’s second coach, Vital Training Systems’ Vinnie Lopez, is teaching the four-time WSM champ how to throw punches, deriving force from his hips and lower body to generate power. Finally, Shaw’s third coach, Denver Broncos’ strength and conditioning coach Loren Landow, is helping Shaw strip off the excess pounds to improve his agility and speed as well as improve flexibility with active stretching.
I will approach this just like I have approached anything else,” Shaw says. “Put this in front of me. Give me a deadline. Give me an MMA match. I am going in to win. I’m going in to dominate.”
Shaw is ready to excel in a new sport, dedicating himself to this new chapter. He’ll document his training journey leading to his debut bout. The rules, matchup, and details have yet to be ironed out, but Shaw is excited to showcase a new kind of strength, technique, and skillset in the MMA arena.
Featured image: @shawstrength on Instagram
