Travis Browne facts for kids

Travis Kuualiialoha Browne (born July 17, 1982) is a retired American mixed martial artist. He used to compete as a Heavyweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Early Life and Training

Travis Browne was born in Hawaii. His father has Native Hawaiian roots, and his mother is European American. When he was in high school in San Diego, he played basketball. He even won the 2000 Coastal North League Player of the Year award. He continued playing basketball at Palomar College.

Travis didn't start training in martial arts until he was 26 years old. He began learning Brazilian jiu-jitsu and also started boxing. Less than a year later, he had his first professional fight.

Mixed Martial Arts Career

Travis Browne started his professional MMA career in 2009. He fought in smaller groups like Bellator Fighting Championships and King of the Cage. He quickly won 9 fights in a row without any losses.

Joining the UFC

In March 2010, Travis Browne joined the UFC. His first fight was at The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz Finale against James McSweeney. Travis won this fight in the first round by TKO (Technical Knockout).

Travis then fought UFC veteran Cheick Kongo at UFC 120. The fight ended in a draw, which means neither fighter won. This happened because Kongo lost a point for holding Travis's shorts.

At UFC 130 in May 2011, Travis faced Stefan Struve. He won by knockout in the first round with a "superman punch." This win earned him a "Knockout of the Night" bonus.

He continued his winning streak at UFC 135 in September 2011, beating Rob Broughton by a unanimous decision. This means all the judges agreed he won.

In April 2012, Travis fought Chad Griggs at UFC 145. He won by submission in the first round using an arm-triangle choke. He also received a "Submission of the Night" award for this performance.

First Loss and Comeback Wins

Travis Browne faced Antônio Silva in October 2012. During this fight, Travis hurt his left leg. Silva used this chance to win the fight, giving Travis his first professional loss.

After his first loss, Travis came back strong. He fought Gabriel Gonzaga in April 2013. Travis won by knockout in the first round with elbows. This earned him another "Knockout of the Night" bonus. There was some debate about how the fight ended, but the win stood.

In August 2013, Travis faced Alistair Overeem. After a tough start, Travis won by knockout in the first round with a front kick and punches. This impressive win also earned him his third "Knockout of the Night" bonus.

He kept his knockout streak going at UFC 168 in December 2013. He knocked out Josh Barnett in just one minute with elbows. This was his third "Knockout of the Night" bonus in a row!

Later UFC Fights

In April 2014, Travis Browne fought Fabrício Werdum. Travis lost this fight by a unanimous decision. He also said he broke his hand, ribs, and dislocated his foot during the fight.

Travis fought Brendan Schaub in December 2014 at UFC 181. He won this fight by TKO in the first round.

In May 2015, he faced Andrei Arlovski at UFC 187. Travis lost this fight by TKO in the first round. Even though he lost, it was considered one of the best single-round fights in UFC history, and he earned a "Fight of the Night" bonus.

Travis Browne fought Matt Mitrione in January 2016. He won by TKO in the third round. This win was debated because Mitrione had eye injuries during the fight.

In July 2016, Travis fought Cain Velasquez at UFC 200. He lost this fight by TKO in the first round.

He had a rematch with Fabrício Werdum in September 2016 and lost by unanimous decision.

Travis Browne's last two fights were against Derrick Lewis in February 2017 and Alexey Oleynik in July 2017. He lost both fights. After his fight with Oleynik, UFC president Dana White suggested that Travis should retire. This was his last professional fight.

Personal Life

Browne posing with a young fan in 2013

Travis Browne has two sons, Kaleo and Keawe, from his first marriage. He later married Jenna Renee Webb in 2015, but they divorced in 2016.

Since 2015, Travis has been in a relationship with former Women's Bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey. They got engaged in April 2017 in New Zealand and married in Hawaii in August 2017.

In April 2021, Travis and Ronda announced they were expecting their first child together. Their daughter, La'akea Makalapuaokalanipō Browne, was born in September 2021. In July 2024, they announced they were expecting their second child, and their second daughter, Liko’ula Pā’ūomahinakaipiha Browne, was born in January 2025.

Travis's nickname, 'Hapa', comes from a Hawaiian word for a person who has mixed ancestry.

In 2019, Travis attended the WWE Hall Of Fame ceremony with his wife, Ronda Rousey. During the event, a fan rushed the stage. Travis was one of several people who helped stop the fan. Bret Hart, who was being honored that night, later thanked Travis for his help.

Achievements and Awards

Travis Browne received several awards during his fighting career:

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Fight of the Night (Two times)
  • Knockout of the Night (Four times)
  • Submission of the Night (One time)
• Gladiator Challenge
  • Interim Gladiator Challenge Heavyweight Championship (One time)
• Victory Fighting Championship
  • VFC Heavyweight Championship (One time)
• World MMA Awards
  • 2013 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year
  • 2013 Comeback of the Year

Mixed Martial Arts Record

See also

In Spanish: Travis Browne para niños

• List of current UFC fighters
• List of male mixed martial artists