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Fighting a friend and former training partner is never ideal, but in a sport like MMA, sometimes you have to strap the gloves tight, shake on it and throw hands at your brother's face.

Such is the case for the UFC 187 tilt between Travis "Hapa" Browne and Andrei "The Pit Bull" Arlovski.

The two Top 10 heavyweights trained together for roughly two years at the esteemed Jackson-Winkeljohn fight camp in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where they learned from each other and pushed each other on a daily basis.

Browne has since moved on to California's Glendale Fighting Club, but the towering 6'7" Hawaiian told Bleacher Report he has not forgotten the days spent trading blows with Arlovski. Those sparring sessions gave him vital insight into Arlovski and his MMA game, lending him knowledge and insight he feels others may not recognize.

"One thing I've really noticed about him is his ability to take shots," Browne said. "Being a buddy of his for the longest time, for two years or so, that was one thing that really stood out to me. In the past, people would say he has a problem with his chin and stuff like that, but I don't agree. The guy has fought some of the biggest guys out there, and I feel like he's right back in there in the mix. He can take shots with the best of them.

"The thing with Andrei, too, is that he's an athlete. He's always changing his game; he's always making adjustments. He's very good at different techniques, and he can game-plan."

That said, Browne knows better than to hang all of his expectations on the past. He knows how much he's evolved since his time at Jackson-Winkeljohn's, and he understands Arlovski has experienced similar growth and change.

"He changes every time he fights, and I change every time I fight," Browne said. "I feel like I might have an idea of what goes on at Jackson-Winkeljohn's, but at the same time, that's why Coach Jackson and Coach Winkeljohn are considered some of the best. They're able to game-plan and bring the best out of their athletes."

One thing Browne is sure about, however, is he and Arlovski won't let down the fans when the two step into the cage. They're cordial and respectful of each other's skill, sure, but they're not going to let feelings get in the way of a good, old-fashioned throwdown.

"He and I fighting each other are like two brothers fighting," Browne said. "I have no hesitation in going out there and fighting him, and he doesn't have any hesitation in going out there and fighting me, so it's not going to be a game of patty-cake. We're going out there to fight and provide for our fans."

Training under coaches Edmond Tarverdyan, Neil Melanson and Ricky Lundell at Glendale Fighting Club, Browne hopes to show off his improvements in full Saturday evening in Las Vegas. His first fight under their tutelage—a first-round stoppage of Brendan Schaub at UFC 181 in December 2014—was impressive, and it helped to prove to fans and critics why he made the jump to California.

While many questioned his decision to leave the high-profile Albuquerque-based camp, Browne said he feels more comfortable and better prepared than ever heading into his fight opposite The Pit Bull.

"I feel like every time I train, I'm moving so far forward. I'm constantly evolving," Browne said. "For me, what's really worked out with Coach Edmond, and having Neal and Ricky here, is that I don't get lost in any kind of a shuffle. My camp is made specifically for me and what I need.

"The one thing I've learned about this sport is that it's OK to be selfish at times. That's [training for a fight is] one of the times that every fighter should be selfish."

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Should he defeat Arlovski at UFC 187, Browne might need to get a little selfish in his bid for the UFC heavyweight title.

Hapa is currently ranked No. 3 in the UFC's heavyweight division, and a win over the No. 8 Arlovski would put him on a two-fight winning streak, giving him a strong case to face the winner of UFC 188's main event in June between champion Cain Velasquez and interim champion Fabricio Werdum.

To Browne, though, there's no rush for gold. The title will be there. As long as he keeps winning, the UFC won't have a choice but to give him his shot, and he intends to make the most of it when it comes.

"The title shot, the way I look at it is I just have to go out there and do my job," Browne said. "If I keep winning fights, there's no way they can't give me that title shot. So that's definitely something that's on my mind but not necessarily right now at the forefront. I have to go out there and win the fight first and then get ready."

If the path to the title means taking another fight or two in the meantime, that would be just fine too. Browne is relaxed and patient, and he knows he'll be ready to pounce when the light turns green.

"Yeah, [I'd be OK with taking another fight before the title shot]. I mean, it's what the UFC wants. At the end of the day, it's their world," Browne said. "We fight in the UFC. It's not my company, so if they say, 'Hey, we want you to fight [No. 4-ranked heavyweight] Stipe [Miocic],' then I feel like I have the heart of a champion, and we have to be ready to fight anybody. When you're the champ, you take on all newcomers, so it is what it is."