Undefeated UFC heavyweight contender Travis Browne visited the Minnesota Vikings’ morning practice today, and took some inspiration ahead of his Friday UFC on FX night collision with Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva at the Target Center.
Browne addressed the team – including defensive end and UFC fanatic Jared Allen – after being introduced by head coach Leslie Frazier.
“It was cool watching them in their element, and seeing top guys from another tough sport train so hard. I think being a UFC fighter and being a top football player are two of the toughest jobs in sports.
“Obviously, in the UFC we compete one-on-one and don’t have a team of guys who can help us out, but these guys basically put their bodies through a car wreck every week for an entire season. I don’t know which sport is tougher, but I respected their work ethic and toughness and was inspired by how hard they were working in practice.”
Able to land flying knees and impossibly fast for a 6ft 7inch, 250 lbs plus man, Browne is one of the most athletic heavyweights in the UFC’s stacked division. However, the Oahu, Hawaii, native never played football.
“My high school – San Diguito – didn’t have a football team so I never got a chance to really play other than with my friends at home. I think I’d have been pretty good, but I never got the chance. I’m a huge fan, though, and today was a great distraction from Friday’s fight.”
The four-fight UFC on FX card – headlined by Browne vs Bigfoot – will be broadcast live on FX this Friday at 8pm ET/PT, with preliminary fights airing live on FUEL from 5pm ET/2pm PT. A brand-new episode of theUltimate Fighter Friday airs immediately after.
(Allen and Browne swop battle plans for their big weekend engagements – pic courtesy of UFC)
(Browne addresses the Vikings – pic courtesy UFC)
