Travis Browne is a beast.
At 6'7", 250 pounds this local boy, who moved to San Diego as a youngster is difficult to miss.
But his "can't miss" talent in the mixed martial arts arena embodied by an 11-0-1 professional record has him "looming large" on the UFC list of heavyweight up-and-comers.
All the while repping the place he continues to call "home".
As the saying goes, you can take the boy from the island, but never the island from the boy.
That's the story behind UFC heavyweight Travis Browne.
Spending his childhood going back and forth from Oahu to San Diego, the 6'7" knockout-artist that goes by the nickname, Hapa takes much honor in representing the 50th state.
Now, 808 athletes finding success in the Octagon in nothing new with fighters like BJ Penn, Falaniko Vitale, and Kendall Grove carrying the state flag.
Browne looks to put Hawaii heavyweights back on the UFC map picking up where Hilo's Cabbage Correia left off more than 7 years ago.
And it was worth the wait.
Less than a month ago in Las Vegas, Browne stole the show on the under card of UFC 130.
The father of two made a statement with an opening round knockout of 6'11" Stefan Truve.
And those big things are paying off in a big way as Browne cashed in on knockout of the night honors in Sin City which comes with a hefty bonus of $70,000.
Despite being undefeated in his mixed martial arts career, show-stopper is yet to crack the top-10 in respected rankings.
However, the rising-star is confident that he belongs with the division's big names like Brock Lesnar, Junior Dos Santos, and Cain Velazquez.
Up next for Browne, showdown with 15-5 Rob Broughton September 24th in Denver.
