Ultimate Fighting Championship today announced that allegations of domestic violence levied against Heavyweight fighter Travis Browne lacks evidence to support those claims, adding that "Hapa" has not violated the promotion's "Code of Conduct Policy."
The statement says UFC took the allegations of domestic violence seriously upon learning of the posting of photographs on social media on July 7, 2015, showing bruises on the arms and body of Browne's estranged wife, Jenna Renee Webb.
Shortly after learning about the photographs UFC, through the Las Vegas-based law firm Campbell & Williams, retained a private investigator with more than 25 years experience as a special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Following a two month investigation involving nearly a dozen interviews with individuals in several states, including obtaining electronic data and searches for relevant civil and criminal records, the decision was made to clear Browne:
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's temporary suspension has been lifted and UFC expects him to return to action shortly.
In a statement issued to womensmma.com, Webb said that nobody from UFC or their law firm told her about the outcome prior to releasing the statement and that she's standing by her original allegations.
Webb said she's "baffled" by the results of the investigation and says she still plans to press charges with the same evidence she provided and "let the state of California decide whether I suffered from domestic violence."
As for Browne, the fighter had denied the allegations from the outset through his manager John Fosco, who said the domestic abuse charges would be "disputed 1 million percent" and expressed confidence he would be cleared from any wrongdoing.
The fighter issued a statement to MMAmania.com saying that although it was difficult to stay quiet during the past two months, and "put my faith in the organization that has provided an amazing life for me and my family."