Travis Kuualiialoha Browne[5] (born July 17, 1982) is a retired American mixed martial artist who last competed as a Heavyweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Travis Browne
Browne in 2012.
BornTravis Kuualiialoha Browne
(1982-07-17) July 17, 1982 (age 42)
Honolulu, Hawaii, US
Other namesHapa
Height6 ft 7 in (201 cm)
Weight244 lb (111 kg; 17 st 6 lb)
DivisionHeavyweight
Reach79 in (201 cm)[1]
Fighting out ofAlbuquerque, New Mexico, US
TeamAlliance MMA[2]
Glendale Fight Club (May 2013–present)[3]
RankBlack belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[4]
Years active2009–2017(MMA)
Mixed martial arts record
Total26
Wins18
By knockout14
By submission2
By decision2
Losses7
By knockout4
By submission1
By decision2
Draws1
Amateur Muay Thai record
Total2
Wins2
By knockout2
Other information
Spouse
Erin Browne
(m. 2001; div. 2009)
Jenna Renee Webb
(m. 2015; div. 2016)
(m. 2017)
Children3
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

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Browne was born in Hawaii to a father with Native Hawaiian ancestry and a European American mother.[6][7] He played basketball and won the 2000 Coastal North League Player of the Year while attending high school in San Diego and then continued his career at Palomar College. Browne had no martial arts experience before being introduced to Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the age of 26. Browne also began training in boxing and had his first professional fight less than a year later.[8]

Mixed martial arts career

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Browne began his professional MMA career in 2009, fighting in smaller organizations such as Bellator Fighting Championships, Gladiator Challenge, and King of the Cage. He quickly amassed an undefeated winning streak of 9–0.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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In March 2010, Browne signed with the UFC.[9] He made his debut at The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz Finale against James McSweeney.[10] Browne won the fight via TKO at 4:32 of the first round.

Browne fought UFC veteran Cheick Kongo at UFC 120. The fight was even heading into the third round, with Browne winning the first round on the judge's scorecards and Kongo taking the second. In the third and final round, Kongo was penalized with a point deduction for repeatedly grabbing and holding Browne's shorts and the fight, therefore, resulted in a somewhat controversial draw.

Browne faced Stefan Struve on May 28, 2011, at UFC 130.[11] He won the fight via superman punch KO in the first round, earning a "Knockout of the Night" bonus in the process.

Browne faced Rob Broughton on September 24, 2011, at UFC 135 where he won by unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, and 30–27).[12]

Browne agreed to fight UFC newcomer Chad Griggs on April 21, 2012, at UFC 145.[13] He defeated Griggs by submission due to an arm-triangle choke in the first round. The performance earned Browne Submission of the Night honors.

Browne was expected to fight Ben Rothwell at UFC on FOX 4 on August 4, 2012, in Los Angeles, California. However, Rothwell was forced to pull out of the fight due to injury.[14]

Browne faced Antônio Silva on October 5, 2012, at the main event of UFC on FX 5.[15] Browne came out aggressive, showing a variety of striking techniques. Browne strained his left hamstring throwing a flashy kick. Silva was able to capitalize, backing Browne up, landing a big right hand, and finishing with punches from the top, giving Browne his first professional loss. A camera crew from Vice Media followed and interviewed Browne before and after the fight with Silva.[16]

Browne faced Gabriel Gonzaga on April 13, 2013, at The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale.[17] Browne defeated Gonzaga via first-round knockout by elbows to the side of the head. The performance earned Browne Knockout of the Night honors. The win however was not without controversy as Browne not only held on to the fence to defend a takedown but also connected with illegal 12–6 elbows to the back of the head to Gonzaga. Gonzaga's appeal to the Nevada State Athletic Commission to overturn the fight to a no-contest was denied.

Browne faced Alistair Overeem on August 17, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 26.[18] After surviving Overeem's initial flurry, Browne won via knockout due to a front kick and punches in the first round. The impressive knockout also earned Browne his third Knockout of the Night bonus award.[19]

Browne faced Josh Barnett on December 28, 2013, at UFC 168. Browne won exactly a minute into the match via knockout due to elbows while Barnett was attempting a takedown. This earned him the Knockout of the Night bonus for his third straight fight.[20]

Browne faced Fabrício Werdum on April 19, 2014, at UFC on Fox 11.[21] Despite being a betting favorite with better considered striking, Browne was outstruck for nearly all five rounds after scoring an early knockdown on Werdum in the first round. Browne also said that he suffered a broken hand, ribs and dislocated his foot at some point during the fight. He lost the fight via unanimous decision (49–46, 50–45, and 50–45).[22]

Browne faced Brendan Schaub on December 6, 2014, at UFC 181.[23] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Browne faced Andrei Arlovski on May 23, 2015, at UFC 187.[24] Despite being a heavy betting favorite, Browne lost the fight via TKO in the first round.[25] After a back and forth round where both fighters were dropped, many instantly consider it one of the best one round fights in UFC history. The bout earned Browne his first Fight of the Night bonus award.[26]

Browne faced Matt Mitrione on January 17, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 81.[27] He won the fight via TKO in the third round. However, this win was controversial, as Mitrione suffered multiple eye pokes from Browne throughout the fight, with Browne even targeting the eye with jabs and punches, causing Mitrione to have an injured eye.[28]

Browne next faced Cain Velasquez on July 9, 2016, at UFC 200.[29] He lost the fight via TKO in the closing seconds of the first round.[30]

Browne faced Fabrício Werdum in a rematch on September 10, 2016, at UFC 203.[31] He lost the fight by unanimous decision (29–28, 29–27, and 30–27).[32]

Browne faced Derrick Lewis on February 19, 2017, in the main event at UFC Fight Night 105 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.[33] Despite hurting Lewis with body strikes in the first round, he lost the fight via knockout in the second round.[34] Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night for their performance.[35]

Browne faced Alexey Oleynik on July 8, 2017, at UFC 213.[36] He lost the fight via submission in the second round.[37] This result prompted UFC president Dana White to say "I think that Travis should retire."[38] It was his last fight to date.

Personal life

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Browne posing with a young fan in 2013

Browne has two sons from his first marriage to Erin – Kaleo and Keawe. Browne married Jenna Renee Webb in January 2015. In July 2015, Webb posted Instagram photos showing multiple bruises on her body allegedly caused by Browne and claimed he beat her. As a result, Browne was removed from the UFC's International Fight Week events pending an investigation.[39] On August 28, 2015, the UFC reinstated Browne when their independent investigation found "inconclusive evidence" in the domestic violence inquiry.[40] Following the report, Webb publicly stated she is considering pressing charges.[41] Browne and Webb divorced on February 21, 2016.

He has been in a relationship with former Women's Bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey since 2015.[42] On April 20, 2017, Browne and Rousey announced their engagement. Browne proposed to Rousey under a waterfall in New Zealand.[43] The two were married on August 26, 2017, in Hawaii.,[44] On April 21, 2021, Browne and Rousey announced on her official YouTube channel that she was four months pregnant.[45][46] On June 29, 2021, Browne and Rousey announced that they were expecting a girl.[47] On September 27, 2021, Rousey and Browne announced the birth of their daughter La'akea Makalapuaokalanipō Browne.[48] On July 25, 2024, his wife Ronda Rousey announced that they are expecting their second child.[49]

Browne's moniker, 'Hapa', is derived from the term in Hawaii for a person who is mixed blood.[citation needed]

Browne attended the 2019 WWE Hall Of Fame ceremony with his wife, Ronda Rousey, who was working with WWE. During the event, a fan rushed the stage and tackled Bret Hart, who was being inducted as a member of the tag team The Hart Foundation. Browne was one of several men who ran onto the stage to help subdue the man. Hart later thanked Browne the next night during WrestleMania 35.[citation needed]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
26 matches 18 wins 7 losses
By knockout 14 4
By submission 2 1
By decision 2 2
Draws 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 18–7–1 Aleksei Oleinik Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 213 July 8, 2017 2 3:44 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 18–6–1 Derrick Lewis KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Browne February 19, 2017 2 3:12 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Fight of the Night.
Loss 18–5–1 Fabrício Werdum Decision (unanimous) UFC 203 September 10, 2016 3 5:00 Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Loss 18–4–1 Cain Velasquez TKO (punches) UFC 200 July 9, 2016 1 4:57 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 18–3–1 Matt Mitrione TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Dillashaw vs. Cruz January 17, 2016 3 4:09 Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Loss 17–3–1 Andrei Arlovski TKO (punches) UFC 187 May 23, 2015 1 4:41 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 17–2–1 Brendan Schaub TKO (punches) UFC 181 December 6, 2014 1 4:50 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 16–2–1 Fabrício Werdum Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Werdum vs. Browne April 19, 2014 5 5:00 Orlando, Florida, United States UFC Heavyweight title eliminator.
Win 16–1–1 Josh Barnett KO (elbows) UFC 168 December 28, 2013 1 1:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Knockout of the Night.
Win 15–1–1 Alistair Overeem KO (front kick and punches) UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Sonnen August 17, 2013 1 4:08 Boston, Massachusetts, United States Knockout of the Night.
Win 14–1–1 Gabriel Gonzaga KO (elbows) The Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen Finale April 13, 2013 1 1:11 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Knockout of the Night.
Loss 13–1–1 Antônio Silva TKO (punches) UFC on FX: Browne vs. Bigfoot October 5, 2012 1 3:27 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Win 13–0–1 Chad Griggs Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC 145 April 21, 2012 1 2:29 Atlanta, Georgia, United States Submission of the Night.
Win 12–0–1 Rob Broughton Decision (unanimous) UFC 135 September 24, 2011 3 5:00 Denver, Colorado, United States
Win 11–0–1 Stefan Struve KO (punch) UFC 130 May 28, 2011 1 4:11 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Knockout of the Night.
Draw 10–0–1 Cheick Kongo Draw (unanimous) UFC 120 October 16, 2010 3 5:00 London, England Kongo was deducted 1 point in round 3 for holding onto Browne's shorts.
Win 10–0 James McSweeney TKO (punches) The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz Finale June 19, 2010 1 4:32 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 9–0 Aaron Brink KO (punches) Gladiator Challenge 111 February 21, 2010 1 0:35 San Jacinto, California, United States Won the interim Gladiator Challenge Heavyweight Championship.
Win 8–0 Abe Wagner TKO (punches) VFC 30 – Night of Champions February 5, 2010 1 0:10 Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States Won the VFC Heavyweight Championship.
Win 7–0 Brian Campbell KO (head kick) Gladiator Challenge 107 November 8, 2009 1 0:10 San Jacinto, California, United States
Win 6–0 Matt Anderson TKO (punches) Gladiator Challenge 98 July 23, 2009 2 0:49 San Jacinto, California, United States
Win 5–0 Mychal Clark Decision (unanimous) Bellator 10 June 5, 2009 3 5:00 Ontario, California, United States
Win 4–0 Sergio Calderon KO (punches) Gladiator Challenge 93 April 23, 2009 1 1:53 Pauma Valley, California, United States
Win 3–0 Tom Lozano Submission (armbar) EF 9 – Espartan Fighting 9 March 14, 2009 1 0:55 Puerto Escondido, Mexico
Win 2–0 Michael Westbrook TKO (knee injury) KOTC: Immortal February 27, 2009 3 1:22 San Bernardino, California, United States
Win 1–0 Evan Langford TKO (punches) Cage of Fire 15 February 7, 2009 1 0:43 Tijuana, Mexico

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Fight Card – UFC Fight Night Werdum vs. Browne". UFC.com. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  2. ^ "UFC 135's Travis Browne Talks Jackson-Winkeljohn Camp, Opponent Rob Broughton". Bleacher Report.
  3. ^ Holland, Jesse (September 1, 2013). "Travis Browne training with Ronda Rousey's coach in Glendale, hasn't been back to Jackson's MMA since loss to Fabrício Werdum". MMAmania.com.
  4. ^ "Travis Browne – Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
  5. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 25, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ^ Harkness, Ryan (October 13, 2015). "Ronda Rousey Confirms Her Relationship With Travis Browne: Who Is He, Anyway?". Uproxx. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  7. ^ Browne, Travis. "HAPA means half, we use it to describe what race we are mixed with. I'm half Hawaiian and half Caucasian". Twitter. Retrieved September 30, 2012.
  8. ^ "Travis Browne - UFC 168 Fighter Profile | Fighters.com". Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  9. ^ "Bellator vet Travis Browne signs with UFC, faces James McSweeney in debut". MMA Junkie. March 5, 2010. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012.
  10. ^ "James McSweeney vs. Travis Browne set for The Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale". MMA Junkie. March 8, 2010. Archived from the original on July 11, 2012.
  11. ^ "Travis Browne vs. Stefan Struve targeted for UFC 130 in May". MMA Junkie. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2010.
  12. ^ Stupp, Dann. "UFC 135 main-card results: Jones chokes out 'Rampage,' Koscheck KOs Hughes". MMA Junkie. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
  13. ^ "UFC 145; seven bouts shift to Atlanta". MMA Junkie. January 20, 2012.[permanent dead link]
  14. ^ "UFC on Fox 4 Fight Card Updates". ufc.com. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  15. ^ "Heavyweights Travis Browne, Antonio Silva to headline UFC on FX 5 in Minneapolis". MMA Junkiedate=July 27, 2012.
  16. ^ "Before and After the Fight with Travis Browne". youtube.com. January 9, 2013. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021.
  17. ^ Staff (February 11, 2013). "Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Travis Browne booked for The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale". MMA Junkie. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
  18. ^ Marrocco, Steven; Morgan, John (May 22, 2013). "Alistair Overeem vs. Travis Browne set as UFC on FOX Sports 1 1 non-headliner". MMA Junkie. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  19. ^ Staff (August 17, 2013). "UFC Fight Night 26 bonuses: Browne, Brown, Sonnen, McDonald, Pickett earn awards". MMA Junkie. Retrieved August 17, 2013.
  20. ^ Okamato, Brett (December 28, 2013). "Travis Browne makes title statement". ESPN. Retrieved December 28, 2013.
  21. ^ Marrocco, Steven (January 13, 2014). "UFC on FOX 11 heads to Florida with Werdum vs. Browne, Tate vs. Carmouche". MMA Junkie. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  22. ^ Cole, Ross (April 21, 2014). "Travis Browne Broke Hand, Ribs And Dislocated Bones In Foot During Loss To Fabrício Werdum". Fight of the Night. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
  23. ^ Raimondi, Marc (September 9, 2014). "Travis Browne returns to meet Brendan Schaub at UFC 181 in December". foxsports.com. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
  24. ^ MMA Fighting Newswire (February 18, 2015). "UFC 187 rounds out main card with fights between Andrei Arlovski-Travis Browne, John Moraga-Joseph Benavidez". mmafighting.com. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  25. ^ Doyle, Dave (May 23, 2015). "UFC 187 results: Andrei Arlovski finishes Travis Browne in thrilling slugfest". mmafighting.com. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  26. ^ a b Erickson, Matt (May 23, 2015). "UFC 187 bonuses: You know Andrei Arlovski and Travis Browne got paid $50,000". mMMA Junkie.
  27. ^ Raimondi, Marc (September 30, 2015). "Travis Browne vs. Matt Mitrione added to UFC Fight Night 81". mmafighting.com. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  28. ^ Brookhouse, Bren (January 17, 2016). "UFC Fight Night 81 results: Travis Browne stops Matt Mitrione with third round TKO". MMA Junkie. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  29. ^ Staff (March 16, 2016). "Cain Velasquez vs. Travis Browne targeted for UFC 200". MMA Junkie. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  30. ^ Doyle, Dave (July 9, 2016). "UFC 200 results: Cain Velasquez mauls Travis Browne". mmafighting.com. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
  31. ^ Marrocco, Steven; Morgan, John (August 11, 2016). "Travis Browne steps in for Ben Rothwell, rematches Fabricio Werdum at UFC 203". MMA Junkie. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  32. ^ Doyle, Dave (September 11, 2016). "UFC 203 results: Fabricio Werdum defeats Travis Browne, gets in scuffle with Edmond Tarverdyan". mmafighting.com. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  33. ^ Alexander, Mookie (January 23, 2017). "Browne vs Lewis rescheduled for UFC Fight Night 105". bloodyelbow.com. Archived from the original on January 25, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 2017.
  34. ^ Marrocco, Steven (February 20, 2017). "UFC Fight Night 105 results: Derrick Lewis battles back to knock out Travis Browne". MMA Junkie. Retrieved February 20, 2017.
  35. ^ Critchfield, Tristen (February 20, 2017). "UFC Fight Night 105 Bonuses: Lewis, Browne, Felder, Santos pocket $50K". sherdog.com. Retrieved February 20, 2017.
  36. ^ Helwani, Ariel (April 6, 2017). "Travis Browne vs. Aleksei Oleinik slated for UFC 213". mmafighting.com. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
  37. ^ "UFC 213 results: Oleksiy Oliynyk submits Travis Browne". MMA Fighting. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  38. ^ "Dana White believes Travis Browne should retire". MMA Fighting. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  39. ^ "UFC heavyweight Travis Browne accused of domestic violence after abusive pics surface on Instagram". mmamania.com. July 9, 2015. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
  40. ^ Sherdog.com. "UFC Reinstates Travis Browne After Investigation Into Domestic Violence Allegations". Sherdog. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
  41. ^ bloodyelbow.com (August 28, 2015). "Travis Browne's wife says she will press domestic violence charges". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  42. ^ "Ronda Rousey's boyfriend, Travis Browne, officially divorced from Jenna Renee Webb after a well-needed split". MMA Mania. February 21, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
  43. ^ "Ronda Rousey Engaged to Boyfriend Travis Browne — Find Out the Romantic Proposal Story". Us Weekly. April 20, 2017.
  44. ^ "Ronda Rousey Is Married! MMA Star Weds Travis Browne in Hawaii as Groom Gushes She's 'Perfect in Every Way'". People.
  45. ^ "Ronda Rousey and husband Travis Browne are expecting their first child". WWE. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  46. ^ Lemoncelli, Jenna (April 21, 2021). "Ronda Rousey reveals she's pregnant with first child in home video". New York Post. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  47. ^ "RONDA ROUSEY AND TRAVIS BROWNE REVEAL THE GENDER OF THEIR BABY, VIDEO". Mmaweekly.com | Ufc and Mma News, Results, Rumors, and Videos. MMA Weekly. June 29, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  48. ^ "Ronda Rousey announces birth of daughter La'akea Makalapuaokalanipō Browne". MMAfighting.com. September 27, 2021. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  49. ^ "Ronda Rousey Is Pregnant! Wrestler Expecting Baby No. 2 with Husband Travis Browne (Exclusive)". People Magazine. July 25, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  50. ^ Thomas Gerbasi (July 3, 2015). "2015 Half-Year Awards - The Fights". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
  51. ^ "UFC 130 Bonuses: 4 Fighters Pocket $70,000".
  52. ^ "'TUF 17' Finale Bonuses: Cat Zingano, Miesha Tate, Travis Browne, Daniel Pineda Earn $50K".
  53. ^ "UFC Fight Night 26 Bonuses Update: McDonald Earns $100K; Sonnen, 3 More Pocket $50K".
  54. ^ "UFC 168 Bonuses: Rousey Banks Extra $150,000; Browne, Tate Earn $75K Awards".
  55. ^ "UFC 145 Bonuses: Ben Rothwell, Travis Browne, Eddie Yagin, Mark Hominick Earn $65,000 Each".
  56. ^ UFC.com (June 5, 2023). "UFC Stats - Heavyweight Division". ufc.com.
  57. ^ "Gladiator Challenge - Aaron Brink Returns to GC". Archived from the original on September 21, 2016. Retrieved July 23, 2016.
  58. ^ a b "Browne, White, Gustafsson, Rousey winners at World MMA Awards VI - Fighters Only Magazine". Archived from the original on January 9, 2016. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
  59. ^ "MMAjunkie's 'Fight of the Month' for May: A heavyweight slugfest to remember". June 3, 2015.
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