The UFC have lifted a suspension on heavyweight fighter Travis Browne after an internal investigation into an allegation of domestic violence proved “inconclusive.”
Browne’s estranged wife Jenna Renee Webb took to social media in July to accuse her husband of beating her back in February, even going as far as to provide photographic evidence of multiple bruise on her body as proof of her claims.
Taking the matter seriously, the UFC immediately pulled Browne from attending the upcoming ‘International Fight Week’ festivities at the time and also suspended him while a former FBI agent was drafted in to investigate Webb’s claims.
It’s believed the investigator spent seven weeks looking into the situation including interviewing Browne, Webb and other people who know them before returning his “inconclusive” verdict.
As a result Browne, who’s currently ranked No.5 in the division despite losing two of his last three fights, is now cleared again to fight.
Reacting to the news, Browne said that he is excited by the news that he can now resume his fighting career.
“I’d like to first thank my family, friends, fans and team for the overwhelming support they have shown me during this challenging time,” Browne said in a statement. “This two-month period has taught me that strength truly does come from within. Sometimes saying nothing, requires more strength than saying everything. I made a conscious choice to keep quiet, comply and put my faith in the organization that has provided an amazing life for me and my family (UFC). They were forthright and honest from the beginning in stating that they took these allegations extremely seriously & were on a mission to get to the truth. I am so excited that this investigation has concluded and that i have the privilege to get back in the cage and do what i was put on this earth to do. In closing, my children are my life, they are my heart, they are my soul. Kaleo and Keawe have been taught to show women the utmost respect and that gift of parenting with a purpose is something that i can hold my head high and continue doing with pride.”
Meanwhile, Webb has stated that she will continue to pursue the matter by looking to press charges against Browne.
“At the present time, I feel that the truth hasn’t come out and I have no other option than to press charges with the same evidence that was provided, and we’ll let the state of California decide whether I suffered from domestic violence,” Webb told womansmma.com.
News of Browne’s reinstatement comes after a week in which rumors, backed up by Webb herself, emerged that the heavyweight fighter may allegedly be romantically linked to UFC superstar Ronda Rousey. At this stage it’s just speculation though and neither Rousey nor Browne has commented on the story.
Read the UFC’s full statement regarding their investigation into Browne below.
“Upon learning of the posting of photographs on social media on or about July 8, 2015 by an individual reflecting bruises on their person and corresponding commentary that Travis Browne had committed the acts resulting in the bruising, UFC, through the Las Vegas-based law firm Campbell & Williams, began efforts to retain a third party to conduct a thorough, independent investigation into this matter. In mid-July, Campbell & Williams retained a private investigator with more than 25 years of experience as a Supervisory Special Agent in the Federal Bureau of Investigation operating out of the Los Angeles Field Office and as a Special Inspector General for the United States of America. The investigator has overseen countless investigations involving thousands of witnesses and subject interviews.
As part of his nearly two-month investigation into the Browne matter, the investigator and his colleagues interviewed nearly a dozen individuals located in several states. The interviewees included the principals of the investigation, former spouses, individuals with close personal relationships, and health-care professionals. Additionally, the investigator obtained various forms of electronic data reflecting interactions of the principals with each other and third parties. The investigation also included electronic and hand searches for relevant civil and criminal records, law enforcement service-call records, and the like.
Based on the abundant evidence gathered to date, the results of the investigation are inconclusive to support the claims of alleged domestic violence involving Browne. Similarly, the evidence was inconclusive to support a finding that Browne had violated the UFC Fighter Conduct Policy. The evidence gathered in the investigation has also been reviewed by Donald J. Campbell, Esq. of Campbell & Williams, a former state and federal prosecutor with extensive experience overseeing criminal investigations, who likewise concurs that the results of the investigation are inconclusive.”
