Browne: I’d be pretty low in my career without Rousey
Travis Browne: “I’d be pretty low in my career right now, so having that personal backing has made all the difference in the world.”
At the close of 2013, Travis Browne was on a three-fight win streak, over Gabriel Gonzaga, Alistair Overeem, and Josh Barnett, all via KO. Combined time for the three fights was barely over one round. He was 18-1, trained at Jackson-Wink, arguably the best MMA camp in the world, and appeared to be a sure title contender.
Then he lost to Fabricio Werdum in April and months later switched to Glendale Fight Club and coach Edmund Tarverdyan, who is known primarily for training Ronda Rousey. Tarverdyan said he saw a lot of holes in Browne’s game, but that after some months, ‘Hapa’ was holding his own against Olympic-level boxers. Browne and Rousey also became involved at some point. Browne’s next fight he knocked out Rousey’s ex Brendan Schaub. But Browne has gone 1-4 since, and is on a three-fight losing streak, to Cain Velasquez, Fabricio Werdum, and Derrick Lewis.
The hardcore MMA fanbase believes there is a clear connection between Browne’s change in fortunes and the switch to Tarverdyan. Virgin fans have even speculated that the relationship with Rousey helped bring Browne down.
However, Browne told the AP’s Greg Beacham for the Las Vegas Sun that Rousey is the reason he is still swinging. Browne fights Oleksiy Oliynik at on Saturday.
“My personal life is better than it’s ever been,” said Browne. “Being with somebody who understands the game, being with somebody who’s there to support you as a partner in life instead of being that person who draws that energy out of you … I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for that. I’d be pretty low in my career right now, so having that personal backing has made all the difference in the world.”
“This last year has been a tough one. I was on a steady downward slope. But every fight, you’ve got to go out there and prove yourself, so it doesn’t deter me from going out there and putting in the work. I feel like I have yet to really show the best of me, and … I’m done talking about it. I just need to go out there and perform. I just need to shut up and just go out there and do it.”
Travis Browne fights Oleksiy Oliynik on the undercard of UFC 213 on Saturday. Oliynik, 40, is 3-1 in the UFC, most recently tapping Viktor Pesta with a no-gi Ezekiel from bottom mount in January. He is reportedly training at multiple camps now.
