Travis Browne and Ronda Rousey are likely the biggest power couple in mixed martial arts right now.
The UFC heavyweight and former female bantamweight champion revealed their relationship last year, and now, following comments made by Rousey declaring how important Browne was in her “darkest” moment, “Hapa” is doing the same.
“I was there to support her any way I could,” said Browne, in an interview with Activ8Media.com recently. “Just like any man would do for his woman. We go through dark times and we need someone to lean on. I hate the fact that she had to go through that dark time, but like she said, it happened for a reason.
“It means a lot that somebody would look at me in that way, especially Ronda. She’s such a sweetheart. She’s a great fighter, athlete and a big movie star; but what impresses me most is the woman that she is. She is who she is 100-percent of the time and I respect that about her.”
Browne was the first to comment on the relationship to the general public, as it came on the heels of a messy breakup with his former wife, who he has two children with.
“We love each other and I’m just glad I could be there for her,” Browne said. “That’s what a partner is there for. They are there for support whenever you need them, for good and bad.”
After suffering a TKO loss to Andrei Arlovski last May, Browne (18-3-1) rebounded in January with a third round finish of Matt Mitrione. He is 5-2 over his last seven fights.
As for Rousey, she’s been doing the media circuit after her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover was revealed. The former U.S. Olympic bronze medalist is expected to film several movie roles early this year before returning – likely in November – to take on the winner of Holly Holm-Miesha Tate for the title.