Unexpectedly, Travis Browne, a veteran heavyweight contender, has ended his seven-year absence from the octagon by officially parting company with the UFC. Browne, well known by his nickname “Hapa,” finished his 17-fight career under the UFC banner with his most recent fight in July 2017.
Promotional representatives informed MMA Fighting on Tuesday of the decision, stating that Browne was released since his contract had run out. Though Browne hasn’t entered the cage since losing by submission to Aleksei Oleinik at UFC 213, he never officially retired, so his fighting career was up in the air until this point.
Browne had a record of 9 wins, 7 defeats, and 1 draw while competing for the UFC. His outstanding triumphs over well-known opponents like Alistair Overeem, Josh Barnett, and Brendan Schaub demonstrated his capacity to contend at the greatest level of mixed martial arts competition. But Browne’s UFC career ended on a dismal note as he lost four straight fights, including TKO losses to Cain Velasquez and Derrick Lewis.
Travis Browne released from UFC contract 7 years after last fight https://t.co/KMi5IBminU
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) July 2, 2024
With a run of spectacular wins, Browne made his UFC debut in June 2010 and was undefeated in his first five fights. His best year was 2013, when he went 3-0 and showed off his amazing ground and strike abilities by winning all of his fights via first-round finishes.
9 years ago today, Andrei Arlovski and Travis Browne gave us I fight to remember pic.twitter.com/BbVPHxyUBg
— Let’s Talk UFC (@LT_UFC) May 23, 2024
Beyond his achievements inside the octagon, Browne’s personal life added to his prominence in the MMA world. As the husband of former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, Browne was often in the spotlight, both for his athletic prowess and his relationship with one of the sport’s biggest stars.
Now, both observers and fans are wondering what Browne’s future holds in combat sports. Browne, 41, has been under fire for his durability and athleticism, especially after he took a long break from competitive fighting. While some conjecture about his retirement intentions, others think Browne would look for options outside of the UFC, such coaching positions within the sport or other organizations.
For fans of the UFC heavyweight class, who saw Browne develop from a bright prospect to a seasoned veteran, his exit signals the end of an era. The history of mixed martial arts is shaped by the fighters who come and go, reflecting the evolution of the sport and its roster.
For now, Travis Browne’s departure from the UFC serves as a reminder of the unforgiving nature of professional sports, where careers can hinge on a few critical moments inside the cage. As fans reflect on his journey, Browne’s legacy will endure, etched into the annals of UFC history alongside the many battles and triumphs that defined his time as a competitor in the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization.
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