Brandon Vera Finally Ready To Fulfill His Life-Long Destiny

Years ago when Brandon Vera was just hitting the mainstream in the UFC, many pegged him to make history and become both the UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion.

While that quest did not quite work out for “The Truth,” he can achieve it in a different promotion next month.

Vera, the reigning ONE heavyweight champion, will challenge ONE light heavyweight titleholder Aung La N Sang for his belt at ONE: CENTURY on October 13 from Tokyo, Japan. The bout is scheduled to serve as the main event to the second part of a two-part mega-card.

Brandon Vera’s Path To Greatness

“We are literally making history and I understand that I get to be a part of that before it even happens,” Vera said. “It is weird and awesome at the same time.”

Returning To The Light Heavyweight Division

Vera has spent much of 2019 preparing for his fight with Aung La, as the 41-year-old will drop down to light heavyweight for the first time since a 2012 bout with the UFC against former champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.

“Literally (that is it),” Vera said. “Training has gone well. Only thing different is making a weight cut that I have not done in over six years while staying hydrated.”

While his title will not be on the line, that has not changed anything in regards to Vera’s mindset as he heads into the cage to meet Aung La in one of the biggest fights of his career.

“It will feel exactly as it does every single time,” Vera said. “Brand new, I am always a challenger and that is my favorite and least favorite part about this sport.”

Brandon Vera’s MMA Resume

Born in the United States, Vera now fights out of Quezon City, Philippines and Alliance Training Center PH. He is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and holds an overall record of 16-7 with a no-contest in his career. Eleven of those 16 wins have come via knockout, with another being a submission victory.

Vera has competed for ONE Championship since 2014, a few months after his last UFC appearance. That was also the last time he was defeated, having scored four consecutive wins since.

In 2015, he claimed the inaugural ONE heavyweight title with a 26-second knockout of Paul Cheng, earning a successful defense by stopping Hideki Sekine in 2016 and Mauro Cerilli in 64 seconds this past November.

Dana Becker

The world of MMA is one of the few sports that brings together people from all walks of life. I try my best to tell those stories and also present breaking news to the masses.