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NGANNOU VS FERREIRA

Sherdog’s Top 10: Stick-and-Ball Crossovers

C.J. TuttleAug 19, 2014
Travis Browne entered MMA after a successful basketball career. | Photo: D. Mandel/Sherdog.com


2. Travis Browne


Browne probably could have played any sport he wanted to with his God-given size and athleticism. Luckily for MMA fans, he chose fighting.

At one time, Browne was a highly regarded prep basketball player. “Hapa” was the 2000 Player of the Year for the Coastal North League while in high school in San Diego. Browne’s basketball days never advanced past playing hoops for Palomar Community College in California, but his combat sports career took off and has reached heights few could have imagined.

At 6-foot-7, 239 pounds, Browne is a jiu-jitsu practitioner with a jump shot as mean as the elbows and punches that have finished the likes of Josh Barnett and Alistair Overeem. After his win over Barnett, he was was thrust into a number one contender’s fight against Fabricio Werdum at UFC on Fox 11. Browne came out on the losing end, but at only 31 years of age, he figures to have plenty of future say in the heavyweight division.

Number 1 » Stipe Miocic