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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
If there's a running theme in Travis Browne's mind into Saturday's Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale, it's that he's got to make a statement. He's returning for the first time since suffering his first career defeat last October, and he's got a tough opponent ahead of him in Gabriel Gonzaga, but he feels ready to show that his loss to Bigfoot Silva won't define him.
"I'm definitely ready to go," Browne said in an interview with Duane Finley at BleacherReport.com. "I'm more motivated than I've ever been. I'm more confident than I've ever been. I'm going out there to make a statement.
"Coming off a loss and a disappointing performance like my last fight, you really want to get out there and show people what you are really capable of. I want to make a statement in this fight and show the rest of the heavyweights in the division that I'm better than my last performance and show them what I'm all about."
Browne is feeling fully prepared for anywhere the fight may go, and says he's been working specifically off his back and in the guard to prepare for that aspect of Gonzaga's game if the fight hits the ground.
"I think this fight has the capability to go anywhere," Browne said. "[Gonzaga] could definitely get a takedown, but at the same time, I could stuff his take downs as well. We are going to be prepared and ready for wherever this fight goes.
"I've been doing a lot of training from off my back and training from inside the guard. I've done a lot of work with Frank Mir, Andrei Arlovski, Jon Jones, and all of those guys at Jackson's. They have all helped me prepare for any of the bad positions I could be put in. I'm more than confident I will get it done on Saturday night."
Penick's Analysis: This is a very big fight for both Browne and Gonzaga. Browne can bounce back from a loss which was facilitated by a torn hamstring early in the fight, and Gonzaga can continue his resurgent run by defeating another good fighter. There's a lot on the line because of that, as the winner will find themselves in a very solid spot in the UFC's heavyweight division. It should be a highly competitive fight, and that makes for an entertaining heavyweight matchup.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
STAFF COLUMNISTS: Shawn Ennis - Jason Amadi
Frank Hyden - Rich Hansen
Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
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