Ronda Rousey, Travis Browne confirm relationship
Move over, Turtle.
UFC heavyweight Travis Browne confirmed to The MMA Hour on Monday that he is in a romantic relationship with UFC women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey. Despite confirming rumors, the 33-year-old wasn't willing to put labels on things.
"Dating is for children. Dating is for kids," Browne said. "Over the summer, through all the shit that I had to shuffle through, that I had to sift through, Ronda and I started talking throughout the summer and I'll say now that we are together. She's my woman and I'm her man. There's no boyfriend, girlfriend stuff. There's no dating. We're together."
The summer issues that Browne is referring to involve his wife accusing him of domestic violence. Browne was originally lifted from UFC events and suspended, but the suspension was lifted in August when a seven-week investigation produced "inconclusive evidence." Browne separated from his wife in June.
Dating the sport's most famous athlete may bring with it some additional attention, but Browne isn't concerned about that or their relationship as teammates at Glendale Fighting Club being compromised.
"It's not weird," Browne said. "It's not something we have to adjust to. We've been doing that the entire time that I was here. ... She's a huge star and that's great for her and I'm happy for her. I want nothing to do but support that aspect in her life."
The 28-year-old Rousey had not publicly commented on the relationship, but when prompted in response to Browne's comments, she provided the following statement to ESPN:
"I don't talk about my personal life much, that's why it's called 'personal life.' It's true that Travis and I are in a relationship. I've really enjoyed the time we have spent together and getting to know one another. And that's all I'm going to say about it."
She'll almost definitely be asked more about it, but if her statement is any indication, it may be best for enterprising reporters to tread lightly.