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Controversial UFC castoff Browning headlines MMA Big Show

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By Dann Stupp, Contributing Writer 10:21 PM Sunday, October 18, 2009

After multiple drunken escapades that should have gotten him kicked off the eighth season of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s reality series, “The Ultimate Fighter,” Junie Browning seemed invincible.

The UFC offered the Lexington, Ky. native a UFC contract despite failing to win the Spike-televised competition last year.

Other UFC hopefuls had been kicked off the show and out of the organization for a lot less, but UFC president Dana White — despite the widespread criticism — kept Browning on the roster anyway.

In fairness, Browning seemed grateful for the opportunity, relocated to Las Vegas, said he quit drinking, and surrounded himself with positive influences, such as former Xtreme Couture trainer Shawn Tompkins.

However, on Oct. 6, Browning was arrested after being taken to a Henderson, Nev. hospital. Browning had overdosed on the anti-anxiety drug Klonopin in a suicide attempt, according to the arrest report, and was charged with assaulting and threatening three nurses.

White, who had stuck by the fighter through everything else, confirmed he had terminated Browning’s contract the following day.

The 24-year-old Browning now returns to the region for his first post-UFC fight at the Nov. 28 MMA Big Show event. The Cincinnati-based promotion pits Browning (3-1) against the Queen City’s Scott Cornwell (1-0) at the Belterra Casino Resort & Spa in Indiana.

Browning obviously has problems and needs help — “I’ve got demons,” he admitted after the arrest — but in a sport in which most competitors live paycheck to paycheck and with no insurance (let alone wellness plans), fights have to be booked.

Regardless, even on the smaller stage, Browning is likely to make just as much money with MMA Big Show as he did with the UFC, where only the top fighters take the lion’s share of the payroll.

Bowling headed to Strikeforce

While one of the region’s prospects is headed back home, another apparently got the call up.

Undefeated Cincinnati-based prospect Roger Bowling, one of MMA Big Show’s top prospects, is headed to Strikeforce.

The welterweight fighter’s manager, MMA Big Show CEO Jason Appleton, recently announced Bowling has been offered a deal from Strikeforce. Although Strikeforce spokesperson Mike Afromowitz said nothing is official, it appears paperwork just needs to be completed.

Bowling, 6-0 with six first-round stoppages, will compete in both Strikeforce (likely in the organization’s prospects-driven “Challengers” series on Showtime) and MMA Big Show, according to Appleton.

“Plan to see Roger fighting in Strikeforce in February (or) March,” he said.

Dann Stupp is editor-in-chief of mmajunkie.com, voted best media outlet in the 2008 World MMA Awards. For the latest mixed-martial-arts news, go to www.mmajunkie.com.

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