Tag: Travis Browne

UFC 168: Josh Barnett vs. Travis Browne Might Steal the Show

In the electrifying buildup to UFC 168, there’s a fight flying under the radar. It doesn’t have a single thing to do with pre-fight banter or elaborate rivalries. Instead, it’s about matters far more primal. 
Before fans are treated to Anders…

In the electrifying buildup to UFC 168, there’s a fight flying under the radar. It doesn’t have a single thing to do with pre-fight banter or elaborate rivalries. Instead, it’s about matters far more primal. 

Before fans are treated to Anderson Silva’s first walk to the Octagon as challenger since 2006 or even Ronda Rousey’s first title defense, a pair of heavyweights will clash inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Oh, and it’s no ordinary heavyweight tilt—Josh Barnett and Travis Browne know how to deliver.

With 39 career fights to his name, Barnett is the consummate been-there-done-that kind of fighter. He’s got the pedigree and proven track record necessary to perform in his late-career run at a UFC title.

If you delve deep into his history, you’ll spot names like Dan Severn, Semmy Schilt, Sergei Kharitonov, Randy Couture and Mirko Filipovic. The “Warmaster” has fought in countless organizations, with emphasis on his most memorable years under the Pride FC banner.

Even his most severe detractors wouldn’t argue against his submission grappling expertise—he’s tapped several of the names above. If he’s not taking the fight to the canvas, he can be pretty destructive in the clinch also.

And he’ll need every bit of that experience and all the tools of his veteran trade to overcome the momentum that Browne has built up as of late.

Unlike the 36-year-old Barnett, “Hapa” has considerably less wear and tear. Save for a freak-injury loss to Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva last year, Browne is essentially unscathed and undefeated. His confidence is likely to be at an all-time high, considering he recently weathered an nearly unimaginable storm shortly before stopping Alistair Overeem.

Beyond the background story, the numbers also paint a tantalizing picture.

 

Key Stats

  • Average height of both fighters: 6’5″
  • Browne’s takedown defense rate: 100 percent
  • Combined total fights of both fighters: 55
  • Reach of both fighters: 78″
  • Percent of Browne’s 15 career victories that have come by way of knockout: 73 percent
  • Percent of Barnett’s 33 victories that have come by way of submission: 61 percent
  • Browne’s average fight time: 06:15
  • Average percent of the time either fighter goes to decision: 13 percent

*Stats via UFC and FightMetric

 

The figures don’t lie—this is the kind of fight that’s bursting with exciting potential. They’re similar in the stats that keep things competitive, but differ in those that will lead to a tug of war between a standing affair and a ground battle. 

Then there’s also the matter of finish rates.

The last time Barnett has won via decision? Ten fights ago in May 2008.  Browne? September 2011.

Both men also have extraordinary chins, so if this thing turns into a slugfest, we could be in for another heavyweight war.

As if the general atmosphere of a year-end card wasn’t reason enough to inspire grand performances, both Barnett and Browne have an added impetus to go that extra mile. The UFC is planning to have the winner take on Fabricio Werdum for a huge heavyweight title eliminator bout.

The more you consider it, the easier it is to imagine UFC matchmakers Joe Silva and Sean Shelby grinning ear-to-ear when they booked this fight to lead into the co-main and main events.

These big boys hit hard, fast and with enough bad intentions to force a stoppage at nearly every turn. Rest assured that when that arena roars on Saturday night, they’ll answer the call—and we’ll all be in for a wild ride.

 

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Artem Moshkovich is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter for MMA news and more. 

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GIF-Ranking the ‘UFC 168: Weidman vs. Silva II’ Main Card Fights By Interest Level


(Gif of the Year? Gif of the Year.)

You know what the craziest thing about the UFC 168 pay-per-view price hike is? I’m actually going to pay it. That’s how badly I want to Anderson Silva vs. Chris Weidman II, because as amazing a troll as Chael Sonnen was, he never came close to a burning ol’ Andy as bad as Weidman just did in the above gif. There’s just something magical about those two, and the power of the gif for that matter, so we figured, “Why not combine them both into an article?”

Back by popular(ish) demand, it’s time for some GIF-ranking: UFC 168 main card style.

#5 – Jim Miller vs. Fabricio Camoes 

No offense to Fabricio Camoes, but who the fuck is Fabricio Camoes and why is he fighting on the biggest main card of the year? Jim Miller may always bring it (and should finish the Brazilian inside three rounds if the bookies are to be believed), but this is a “Fight Night” main card matchup at best. Ranking:


(Gif of the Year? Gif of the Year.)

You know what the craziest thing about the UFC 168 pay-per-view price hike is? I’m actually going to pay it. That’s how badly I want to Anderson Silva vs. Chris Weidman II, because as amazing a troll as Chael Sonnen was, he never came close to a burning ol’ Andy as bad as Weidman just did in the above gif. There’s just something magical about those two, and the power of the gif for that matter, so we figured, “Why not combine them both into an article?”

Back by popular(ish) demand, it’s time for some GIF-ranking: UFC 168 main card style.

#5 – Jim Miller vs. Fabricio Camoes 

No offense to Fabricio Camoes, but who the fuck is Fabricio Camoes and why is he fighting on the biggest main card of the year? Jim Miller may always bring it (and should finish the Brazilian inside three rounds if the bookies are to be believed), but this is a “Fight Night” main card matchup at best. Ranking:

 

#4 – Dustin Poirier vs. Diego Brandao 

Now this is what I’m talking about — an intriguing matchup between two exciting featherweights with solid hands and sound submission games. Poirier looked great in his unanimous decision victory over Erik Koch at UFC 164, and Brandao once entered into a staring contest with a Largemouth bass and won, so this fight should be a real banger.

…what’s that, you say it was Bill Brasky who won the aforementioned staring contest? Well whatever the case, Brandao is a beast who will be riding a three fight UFC win streak (4-1 overall) into this weekend and looking to set himself up with a top 5 opponent. Let’s just hope his questionable cardio holds up against a guy like Poirier, who has shown that he can at least make it into the fourth round in his 2012 Fight of the Year with Chan Sung Jung. Ranking:

 

#3 – Ronda Rousey vs. Miesha Tate II

Call me crazy, but aside from proving herself to be the more laid back fighter of the two, Miesha Tate did not do a thing on TUF 18 that led me to believe she stands any better of a chance against Rousey the second time around. Tate looks to be in the best shape of her life, sure, but have you even seen Ronda Rousey (or deez odds) lately? The champ’s got a look in her eyes that would give Dr. Sam Loomis a stress-induced seizure for Christ’s sake. Combine that with her infinitely superior grappling prowess and ever-improving striking and you’ve got yourself a classic mismatch, Taters.

I would rank this rematch higher on the outside possibility that Rousey physically dismembers Tate in the octagon or beats her into retirement, but as long as Steve Mazzagatti isn’t the assigned ref, we’re likely in for another first round armbar for Rousey (not that there’s anything wrong with that). And maybe some blood-licking. Then Rousey can hopefully move onto the *actual* #1 contender she was supposed to fight in the first place. Ranking:

 

# 2 – Josh Barnett vs. Travis Browne 

Without using too much hyperbole, it’s safe to say that you’d have to be in a persistent vegetative state to not be excited for this fight. It’s a battle between two of the most exciting heavyweights out there today, and a matchup that is all but guaranteed to end inside the distance and/or feature Josh Barnett saying something psychotic on the microphone.

After finally making his return to the UFC in August, Barnett made quick work of Frank Mir at UFC 164, KO’ing the former champ with a beautifully placed knee to the cranium in just under two minutes. Browne, on the other hand, is fresh off a come-from-behind KO via front kick of Alistair Overeem at Fight Night: Shogun vs. Sonnen in just over four minutes. While some are predicting that Barnett will look for the takedown early and often, I think these two are going to Rock ‘Em-Sock ‘Em until one of them tips over midway through the second. “The Warmaster” doesn’t seem to think the fight will last long either, and I’m not prepared to call this man a liar. Ranking:

 

#1 – Anderson Silva vs. Chris Weidman II

Oh, like it was going to be something else? WHAT KIND OF TROLL DO YOU TAKE ME FOR?!

On the real though, Chris Weidman is going to officially end the Anderson Silva era tomorrow night. There, I said it. He will make good on Ray Longo’s promise to “punch a fucking hole” in Silva’s chest, and he will silence the cries of “fluke” once and for all. Unfortunately, his legendary victory will come at the cost of his mentor, as Matt Serra will choke to death on a chilidog ringside while shouting him advice/making fun of Longo’s hair. His last word will be “Fahgeddah.” Silva will then announce his retirement from MMA, destroy Roy Jones Jr. in a boxing match in Brazil, and reemerge in 2024 as the world’s preeminent R&B lip-syncher. These are facts. Ranking:

I don’t know what is happening in this gif, but it makes me sad.

–J. Jones

Gambling Addiction Enabler: ‘UFC 168: Silva vs. Weidman II’ Edition

(Silva and Weidman talk us through their first fight. The words “lucky” and “bullshit” are thrown around rather liberally.)

By Dan George

I trust you all had a Merry Christmas, Nation, but now it’s time to get back to business. This Saturday, quite possibly the biggest card in the history of the UFC is going down in Vegas when middleweight champion Chris Weidman (still crazy to type) attempts to become the first man to ever go 2-0 against Anderson Silva at UFC 168.

OK, so maybe it’s not the biggest (or best) card in UFC History, but the fact that those of us who plan on purchasing the card will start off an additional five dollars in the hole means that I’ve got my word cut out for me. Join me below for the pound-for-pound best gambling advice in all the Interwebz and maybe, just maybe, we will all kick off the New Year with a little extra cash in our pocket. All gambling lines courtesy of BestFightOdds.

Stay the Hell Away From:

Chris Leben (+255) vs. Uriah Hall (-310)

While not as heavy a favorite as in the past, Uriah Hall has simply not shown the brilliance we saw from him while in the TUF house to warrant laying -300ish on this fight. On the other side of the spectrum you have Chris Leben, who will be looking to avoid a fourth straight loss inside the octagon and the inevitable pink slip that comes along with it. This fight feels like a loser-leaves-town match and Uriah should be able to use his angles and speed to pick Leben apart on the feet, but if he cannot finish Leben early, this fight may get ugly and this is where Leben generally shines. If you cannot resist, the -120 prop that this fight does not go past 2.5 rounds may be worth a look.


(Silva and Weidman talk us through their first fight. The words “lucky” and “bullshit” are thrown around rather liberally.)

By Dan George

I trust you all had a Merry Christmas, Nation, but now it’s time to get back to business. This Saturday, quite possibly the biggest card in the history of the UFC is going down in Vegas when middleweight champion Chris Weidman (still crazy to type) attempts to become the first man to ever go 2-0 against Anderson Silva at UFC 168.

OK, so maybe it’s not the biggest (or best) card in UFC History, but the fact that those of us who plan on purchasing the card will start off an additional five dollars in the hole means that I’ve got my word cut out for me. Join me below for the pound-for-pound best gambling advice in all the Interwebz and maybe, just maybe, we will all kick off the New Year with a little extra cash in our pocket. All gambling lines courtesy of BestFightOdds.

Stay the Hell Away From:

Chris Leben (+255) vs. Uriah Hall (-310)

While not as heavy a favorite as in the past, Uriah Hall has simply not shown the brilliance we saw from him while in the TUF house to warrant laying -300ish on this fight. On the other side of the spectrum you have Chris Leben, who will be looking to avoid a fourth straight loss inside the octagon and the inevitable pink slip that comes along with it. This fight feels like a loser-leaves-town match and Uriah should be able to use his angles and speed to pick Leben apart on the feet, but if he cannot finish Leben early, this fight may get ugly and this is where Leben generally shines. If you cannot resist, the -120 prop that this fight does not go past 2.5 rounds may be worth a look.

The Good Dogs:

John Howard (+130) vs. Siyar Bahadurzada (-150)

At +130, John Howard is a solid underdog pick in a fight that will most likely be won by the stronger grappler. Siyar is most likely the better striker, but Howard is well versed enough in the stand up game to avoid anything catastrophic like Paulo Thiago experienced at UFC on FUEL 2 and should be able to find a way to get Bahadurzada against the cage early and often in this fight. Siyar has 6 finishes in his last 8 fights, 5 of which came in the first round, while Howard has not been stopped in the first round of a fight since 2007. If Howard is able to get this fight into the 2nd and 3rd rounds, he most likely will do so by nullifying Siyar’s offense by mixing up striking with takedowns which may give him the nod from the judges. Howard to win.

William Macario (+145) vs. Bobby Voelker (-160)

Currently 0-2 in the octagon, Voelker has shown an ability to take punishment more than deliver punishment as of late. If he does not get off to a good start against Macario, he may very well be looking at a third consecutive loss in the UFC. The major caveat is that Macario seemed to gas in his last fight with Leonardo Santos and Voelker’s ability to take a beating and keep ticking may offer some dramatic moments if this fight gets into the 3rd round. That said, I like Macario to win here via a violent flurry early in the first round.

Jim Miller (-365) vs. Fabricio Camoes (+305)

At -350 or higher, Jim Miller is the heavy favorite to beat Fabricio Camoes, but it is in the prop category that we find +110 for Miller to win inside the distance, which is truly the best “good dog” pick in this fight. Miller rarely plays the cautious fighter in his bouts and should look to close out this fight before the judges can get involved. Camoes is not a pushover, but has only beat Tommy Hayden inside the Octagon while Miller has consistently faced high level competition and should be able to outclass Camoes anywhere this fight takes place. +110 Miller to win inside the distance.

Dustin Poirier (-230) vs. Diego Brandao (+190)

A veritable potpourri of plus money options are offered in this fight, but the two that are most appealing would be that a) This has FOTN written all over it and b) Poirier should win by decision. Without an official line available, the return for a FOTN should be in the neighborhood of between 5 to 7 times the wager, while +165 is the current line for Poirier to take this one on the judges’ cards. Poirier will have the height and reach advantage here while Brandao has yet to be finished in the UFC, which all points towards an exciting fight that may very well go the entire 15 minutes. Diego is also training with the last man to beat Poirier (Cub Swanson) at Jackson’s MMA and he will surely have “The Diamond” scouted heading into this tilt. Poirier +165 by decision and FOTN prop.

Other Main Card Bouts:

Josh Barnett (-190) vs. Travis Browne (+165)

Barnett is currently hovering around -200 in a fight that will be determined by whether or not Barnett can get things to the mat. Browne has not been threatened with a takedown-centric approach by any of his opponents in the UFC, which should make this the toughest test of his career. Without having seen Browne face this challenge consistently throughout a fight, it is difficult to gauge whether or not he will be able to stop one of the best grapplers the HW division has to offer. Barnett should be able to put Browne on his back in this fight and find a way to either win by submission or on the scorecards. Barnett to win.

Ronda Rousey (-900) vs. Miesha Tate (+700)

Miesha has gone on record stating that she will shoot herself in the face if she is sarmbarred by Rousey again. Rousey is between -700 to -900 at the various sports books and although she has finished all of her MMA fights inside the first round, there may be an opportunity to play the prop that this fight starts round 2 at -130. Tate surely learned something from the first fight and hopefully will be able to avoid the ground game for the first five minutes. Rousey showed in her fight with Liz Carmouche that (despite giving up her back) once engaged in a grappling contest, the armbar is all but a formality. While Tate is a solid striker, her grappling, much like any woman in the UFC, is not on Rousey’s level and Ronda will surely find a way to exploit this fact to retain her title. I pray that she does not intend to actually follow through on this. Rousey to win. UH-DUH.

Chris Weidman (+135) vs. Anderson Silva (-155)

The line has not moved very much since this rematch was announced. Weidman showed that “The Spider’s” antics had no effect on him and that he can outduel Silva on the ground and on the feet at less than 100% coming off a one year layoff. Why then is Silva considered the favorite after losing the first contest? Who believes that Silva has an advantage on the ground in this fight? Both questions should tip the scales in Weidman’s favor, but clearly the odds are being generated on the very same thing that cost Silva his title. The odds here suggest that Silva will be able to regain his title by out striking Weidman, and despite being KO’d in the second round at UFC 162, it seemed rather obvious that Silva had begun to connect with Weidman’s lead leg, take away the takedown threat, and take over control of the contest on the feet. Until he got too cocky, that is.

However, Weidman not only won the first fight clearly, he also won the first round very convincingly by exposing Silva’s struggles with strong grapplers. Weidman also noted that he saw Silva’s eyes roll back in his head in the first round while he delivered ground and pound to the former champ. Weidman has the tools to create this type of environment again for Silva and may be able to connect enough times to stop Silva on the ground, which is perceived to be the most probable avenue to victory for Chris in this bout. Weidman clearly can win this fight in more areas than Silva, but again, the oddsmakers have Silva pinned as the favorite for the brief moments in the second round where Silva showed how dominant he can be with his striking. Weidman has had many knee surgeries and it seemed that he began laboring in the second round when Silva began connecting. To his credit, Weidman was able to push through this and become the new champion, but his win was at least partially due to an opponent who took his foot off the gas pedal.

This time around, Silva will most likely stay focused on keeping the fight standing and attacking Weidman’s lead leg with punishing kicks, which may limit the champ’s ability to score the takedown. If Silva is able to avoid the takedown consistently and cut out the shenanigans, he should create the type of fight that will result in him regaining his title. If Weidman can take Silva down early and punish him enough, he may finish the former champ inside the first round. The fight should be a pick’em as both fighters have shown, however briefly, the ability to control their opponent in the first bout. Silva to win inside the distance, possibly 3rd round TKO stoppage.

Parlay 1
Siver-Barnett

Parlay 2
Poirier-Miller

Parlay 3
Barnett-Macario

Happy Holidays and all the best in 2014, CP Nation.

UFC 168: Josh Barnett vs. Travis Browne Head-to-Toe Breakdown

Before two of the most anticipated title rematches in mixed martial arts history unfold, opposing heavyweights will do battle at UFC 168 this Saturday.
In what many consider a colossal collision of momentum, conflicting skill sets and overall bravado, …

Before two of the most anticipated title rematches in mixed martial arts history unfold, opposing heavyweights will do battle at UFC 168 this Saturday.

In what many consider a colossal collision of momentum, conflicting skill sets and overall bravado, resurgent Josh Barnett will take on red-hot Travis Browne in a true barnburner.

As two of the biggest heavyweights in the division who possess unforgiving power and precision, “Hapa” and “The Warmaster” have a chance to put on a Fight of the Night performance.

So, for a showdown that holds ultimate title implications, here’s a head-to-toe breakdown for one of the most intriguing fights of the year. 

Begin Slideshow

UFC 168’s Travis Browne: Hungry for Gold, on a Mission of Destruction

Travis Browne has every intention of becoming the UFC heavyweight champion.
Where the rangy Hawaiian’s immense potential once garnered the prospect label, he’s since traded in that particular tag for contender status. In his eight showings under the UF…

Travis Browne has every intention of becoming the UFC heavyweight champion.

Where the rangy Hawaiian’s immense potential once garnered the prospect label, he’s since traded in that particular tag for contender status. In his eight showings under the UFC banner he’s found victory in six of them, including a reach stretch where he’s won five of his last six.

His only setback over this stretch—the only loss of his professional career—came at the hands of Antonio Silva in a fight in which he blew his hamstring out in the opening minutes.

“Hapa” rebounded from the loss by picking up back-to-back wins in two of the most remarkable performances of his career. The 30-year-old Oahu native picked up “Knockout of the Night” honors when he drubbed Gabriel Gonzaga with a brutal display of elbows in the first round of their tilt at The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale back in April, but faced a monster of a much different variety in his next outing at Fight Night 27 in Boston.

The prospect-turned-contender squared off with heavyweight juggernaut Alistair Overeem when the UFC returned to Boston in August. By many accounts, Browne was to be the sacrificial lamb on “Reem’s” return to the heavyweight title chase. And when the bout got underway, it looked as if that was exactly how things were going to play out.

The former Strikeforce champion hurt Browne in the early going and then pounced on Jackson’s MMA fighter as he looked for the finish. Overeem unloaded a flurry of bombs as Browne shifted into survival mode against the cage, but when the knockout never came for the former K-1 champion, and fatigue set in, Browne turned the tables.

With Overeem slowed and exhausted, Browne battled back with fury and ended the fight with a devastating front-kick knockout. Where scoring a victory over a fighter as highly touted as Overeem is a hefty feather to add to the proverbial cap, Browne found a deeper meaning in the fight itself. He had come out on the other side of a challenge few have been able to topple, and immediately knew he was a better man for it.

“It was a huge win,” Browne told Bleacher Report. “Not only knocking him out like that, but weathering the storm and taking what he had to throw out there, then coming back. If you think about it, I beat him in one minute. He was whooping my ass for three minutes. He had me pinned against the cage beating me up. He was kneeing, elbowing and punching me for three straight minutes. Then I got a little bit of space, started implementing my game plan and knocked him out. 

“Look at the other opponents that have either quit or got knocked out in when Alistair has put them in that position. It’s the top of the list and you can’t write a better script than what happened that night. I don’t look forward to ever feeling something like that again, but if I have to go through something like that in order to win a fight I’ll do it.” 

Back-to-back wins in impressive fashion put him on the track to title contention, but slowed traffic in the championship tier of the division meant he would have to get another win before a title opportunity came his way.

Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos were set to settle their trilogy at UFC 166, and Browne waited for the UFC to call with his next challenge. When the offer came to face savvy veteran Josh Barnett at UFC 168, it was an opportunity he wasn’t about to pass up.

“The Warmaster” is a former UFC champion and one of the gamest fighters in the heavyweight division. With a stern test conquered in his last outing, and the feeling there is still so much to prove on the road ahead, Browne is looking forward to trading leather with Barnett in Las Vegas on Dec. 28.

“Barnett is a veteran of the game, but at the same time, I’ve been fighting guys with a lot of experience my entire career,” Browne said. “I’m so new to the sport. I have 17 fights and seven or eight of them have been in the UFC—and that has come over a three-and-a-half-year span. No matter who I fight, I’m going to be at a disadvantage in the experience department.

“Alistair Overeem, Cheick Kongo, even Stefan Struve being as young as he is, all have more experience than I do. These guys I’m fighting all have three times as many fights as I do, but I live for that sh**. Just because I’m young in the sport doesn’t mean you get to overlook me. 

“I think I match up really well with him. I have my length to keep him on the outside, and if he does get on the inside, I have the ability to defend and get out or ability to get out and go on the offensive with my close game or ground game. That’s something a lot of people don’t realize. I can be offensive too. He can try to push me up against the cage, but what is he going to do once he gets me there? I can implement that kind of game plan as well.”

With the current state of the title radar in the heavyweight division, the tilt between Browne and Barnett will carry heavy implications for a future title opportunity. Champion Cain Velasquez is on the mend for the next several months, and top-ranked contender Fabricio Werdum is currently floating in limbo because of it, but the opportunity for the winner of the heavyweight clash at UFC 168 to make some real ground is there for the taking.

While being in a position to bolster title talk is one that comes with respect, for Browne it’s not enough. Where he once longed for recognition that he belonged with the best in the division, those flames have been snuffed out and a much more intense fire now rages.

He is on a mission to become the heavyweight champion of the world, and nothing—not even an impressive victory over a fighter with Barnett’s resume—will be enough to satisfy that hunger. 

“If you had asked me about respect two years ago, I would have said I was so happy I’m finally getting it,” Browne said. “But now I’m in the mindset where I don’t give a sh** about that. I’m here to do one thing and that is to go after that belt.

“Until I have that belt, defended that belt and left a legacy with my name and what I’ve done in that cage, then I’ll have time to relax and take in what I’ve done. Right now, it’s time for me to bust my ass, work hard and go out there and do what I know I can. Then I’ll have the next 50 or 60 years of my life to enjoy it.”

 

Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise. 

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Travis Browne: Josh Barnett Will Have to Finish Me at UFC 168

Outside of two tantalizing grudge matches set to command the majority of attention heading into UFC 168 next weekend in Las Vegas, the UFC’s end of the year bash has yet another scintillating matchup on deck.
Before Chris Weidman, Anderson Silva, …

Outside of two tantalizing grudge matches set to command the majority of attention heading into UFC 168 next weekend in Las Vegas, the UFC’s end of the year bash has yet another scintillating matchup on deck.

Before Chris Weidman, Anderson Silva, Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate step inside the Octagon, heavyweight standouts Travis Browne and Josh Barnett will do battle to separate one another in a close-knit divisional title scene.

For Browne, who has recorded sensational knockouts of Alistair Overeem and Gabriel Gonzaga over his past two outings, a victory would mean everything for his career.

But Barnett isn’t going to give up that easy.  He’s one of the most game contenders in the sport today and one that always brings his best stuff on fight night.

That’s why Browne knows he’ll have to walk through fire to get the win.

“I want to be the best and fight the best,” said Browne in an interview with ESPN’s Michael Huang, originally reported by MMA Underground.  “I have momentum now.  To stop me, my opponent is going to have to finish me to win.”

If Browne wants to claim victory over a fighter who calls himself “The Warmaster,” he’ll need the perfect gameplan.

“I try to do different stuff for every camp,” added Browne.  “Always add something you can use.  Train smarter, harder.”

Before the co-main event and main event of the evening get underway, look for the very best Travis Browne we’ve ever seen.

As a towering dynamo equipped with excellent kickboxing skills, a heavy heart and an enormous threshold for pain, “Hapa” is one of the most fascinating contenders the heavyweight crop heap has seen in years.

 

For more UFC news and coverage, .

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