Travis Fury main event has Team Travis ties

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Shaun Emery
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  When the fighters for the main event at Travis Fury are announced, the crowd will have good reason cheer for Terry "No Mercy" Broughton, because the fighter is also a member of Team Travis. 

Broughton is a military spouse. His wife, Shernette Francis, works at the 60th Dental Squadron dental technician. Because of his close ties to the military, Broughton said his match Feb. 7 means a little more. 

"It's an honor to fight on this card," said Broughton. "The military folks here at Travis keep us free. To be a part of an event to entertain them is great. It's kind of moving." 

Talking with Broughton, a person might not guess mixed martial arts is his profession. Many see fighters as arrogant, brutal individuals. That couldn't be more false. Broughton is polite, articulate and easy going. But his 32-1 record speaks volumes about the dedicated fighter inside. 

Broughton was focused on boxing prior to MMA. Since age 8, Broughton was learning to throw punches. When his trainer decided to throw in some new moves, Broughton's career would take a new path. 

"We threw in some kicks during training," said Broughton. "My trainer was a kick-boxing champ, so we started going over some moves. I was offered an MMA match and took it."
Sixty seconds into his first fight, Broughton, and unfortunately his opponent realized that MMA was something he was going to be good at. He was hooked. 

Thirty-three fights later, Broughton speaks proudly of his 32-1 combined record and 3-0 record as a professional. 

"I work hard every day," he said. "I know what's on the line, each and every fight."
Even people who go to the gym and work out regularly would be tapped out after Broughton's daily routine. Beginning at 3 a.m. every day, Broughton pushes himself to reach the epitome of strength and fitness. The morning starts with a seven to 10-mile run. Taking advantage of the facilities here, Broughton lifts weights at the Travis Fitness Center from 4:30 to 6 a.m. He follows that up with MMA training in Sacramento, where he goes over stand-up fighting, groundwork, body hardening and sparring. Before his day is done, he spends another hour at the base gym. The seven-hour day is Broughton's full-time job. 

Why Broughton subjects himself to such an intense workout is directly related to the strength and endurance needed to be a professional mixed martial artist. 

"Cardio and strength training are imperative," said Broughton. "The average fight last about two minutes. Both fighters may be trained for those two minutes, but if it goes three, the prepared fighter will come out on top. If you run out of gas you can start making mistakes and that can lead to bad decisions and a loss." 

That is why Broughton stresses to his fellow members of Team Travis to stay in shape.
"As fighters we look at ourselves like soldiers, preparing to face an adversary. In battle, if a servicemember isn't in good shape, they can run out of gas, make bad decisions and possibly put their life or someone else life in harms way." 

There are many people who do not look kindly on MMA fighting. They say it is dangerous and violent. Broughton says MMA fighters know the inherent danger, but no one goes into a fight with bad intentions. No one is looking to hurt their opponent. 

"We shake each others hand before the match and after the match. We have respect for each other. We all know it could be our last fight." 

In that spirit of good competition, Broughton says members of Team Travis should come out Feb. 7 and enjoy Travis Fury to see warriors, like themselves, putting it all on the line.