Derrick Lewis Will Use Travis Browne’s Past Domestic Abuse Allegations as Motivation into UFC Fight Night 105

0
229

Derrick Lewis appeared on latest edition of The MMA Hour Monday and told Ariel Helwani that he would use Travis Browne’s history of domestic abuse allegations against him into their heavyweight clash at UFC Fight Night 105.

“The Black Beast” told Helwani that he will use Browne’s past of alleged domestic violence as further motivation to beat “Hapa” on February 18, because of everything he witnessed his mother endure during his childhood.

Browne’s ex-girlfriend, Jenna Webb, claimed on social media that Browne had laid his hands on her repeatedly, leading the UFC to temporarily suspend Browne — although their investigation was inconclusive.

After the Investigation was complete, the Ultimate Fighting Championship released the following statement on UFC.com:

UFC announced today that an investigation into allegations of domestic violence against heavyweight Travis Browne is now complete. Conducted by a former FBI agent with more than 25 years of experience, the seven-week investigation included interviews with multiple subjects associated with the principals, as well as the principals themselves. The investigation found inconclusive evidence to support claims of alleged domestic violence involving Browne and inconclusive evidence that Browne had violated the UFC Fighter Conduct Policy.

As a result, UFC has lifted Browne’s temporary suspension and anticipates him returning to competition in the coming months. UFC takes allegations of domestic violence very seriously, and they will be investigated for their validity. If proven true with facts, it will result in swift action on our part.

PUBLIC SUMMARY RE: BROWNE INVESTIGATION

In an effort to provide the public with additional information regarding UFC’s investigation of allegations of domestic violence by Travis Browne, while honoring the competing interest of protecting the privacy rights of all the individuals who voluntarily cooperated in the investigation, UFC provides the following summary:

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.

Browne and Webb finalized their divorce on February 21, 2016, and Browne has since started a relationship with former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion, Ronda Rousey. Browne hasn’t won a fight in his last two octagon appearances, having been defeated by Cain Velasquez and Fabricio Werdum respectively.

An emotional Travis Browne had a chance to tell his side of the story last year:

Lewis vs. Browne was originally set to take place inside the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY at UFC 208, but was later moved to serve as the headline bout for UFC Fight Night 105 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on February 19.

Event thought the Black Beast vs Browne fight was already announced, Lewis also noted on The MMA Hour that he had never been to Canada, and wasn’t sure if he would be allowed to enter the country because of past legal troubles (which Lewis speaks about in the video above).

Lewis will look to win his sixth straight fight at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Browne, should he be granted entry into Canada.