UFC heavyweight Travis Browne provides an update on former women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey.
In just under two weeks, Travis Browne will rematch Fabricio Werdum in the co-main event of UFC 203, with Browne replacing the injured Ben Rothwell. Browne had fought Werdum in the main event of UFC on FOX 11 in April 2014, losing a very one-sided unanimous decision. His 2nd crack at Werdum is an arguable must-win, as he is just 2-3 in his last 5 and coming off a 1st round TKO defeat to Cain Velasquez at UFC 200.
Meanwhile, Browne’s girlfriend, former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, has had her future subject to huge speculation for virtually all of 2016. As part of an interview with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Browne provided an update on Rousey’s current physical and mental state.
Spoke to Travis Browne. UFC 203 story next week. FWIW, on Rousey: “Physically and mentally doing great. I feel bad for whoever’s next.”
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) August 30, 2016
Rousey has not fought since her November 2015 KO loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193. Ronda later admitted to Ellen DeGeneres that she had contemplated suicide following the loss, but said that, “I saw my man Travis was standing up there and I looked up at him and I was like, I need to have his babies. I need to stay alive.”
She will not be fighting at UFC 205 in New York City, and the current expectation is that if she does compete again, it will be in early 2017. Dana White has already stated that Rousey would receive an immediate title shot upon her return.
Browne’s co-main vs. Werdum will be on Saturday, September 10th, in Cleveland, Ohio. The main event of UFC 203 is a heavyweight title match between Stipe Miocic and Alistair Overeem.