Browne stands to earn lucrative new deal after completing contract at UFC 168
Travis Browne is expected to face Fabricio Werdum in his next fight in 2014 and with a win he will likely earn the opportunity to battle for the UFC heavyweight title by the end of the year.
Before Browne gets to face Werdum, however, he will first have to work out a new deal with the UFC after completing the terms of his last contract with the promotion following his fight against Josh Barnett at UFC 168.
Sources close to the situation informed FOX Sports that Browne finished the last fight on his old deal with the UFC when he faced Barnett, and right now he's in a contract negotiating period with the UFC as they work to complete a new deal. Browne's management team at VFD Marketing were unavailable for comment.
It is notable to add that the last few fights of Browne's contract showed the elevating rate he was being paid per fight after signing his last contract in 2012.
For his bout against Gabriel Gonzaga at the Ultimate Fighter 17 finale, Browne was paid $40,000 ($20,000 to fight, $20,000 to win). At the inaugural UFC On FOX Sports 1 card, Browne made $48,000 ($24,000 to fight, $24,000 to win), and for his fight against Barnett at UFC 168 Browne pulled in $56,000 ($28,000 to fight, $28,000 to win). Each fight has shown an increase of $4,000 per event as Browne approached the tail end of his deal.
Now, Browne reaching the end of his current contract by no means indicates that the heavyweight knockout artist will go elsewhere. But once new negotiations get underway -- with his current win streak and No. 3-ranked standing in the division -- the father of two stands to cash in with a very lucrative new deal to start 2014.
With Werdum waiting in the wings and a potential shot at UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez hovering overhead, Browne is poised to make a substantial impact in the division next year.
Browne had an incredible 2013 picking up three wins during the year with all of his fights ending with his hand raised and a 'Knockout Of The Night' bonus in his pocket. All told, Browne was paid an additional $175,000 in bonuses during the year. He also spent a grand total of 6:27 in the Octagon so he definitely wasn't looking to get paid by the hour.
With the holiday this week and Browne fresh off his fight and win over Barnett on Saturday, it's likely the fighter, his management team and the UFC will sit down to begin hammering out a new contract in the very near future.
It looks as if Browne could have his biggest and best year yet in 2014.
