Vera talks UFC return - Fight Forum - MMA - UFC - Boxing - K1

cujo · 05-19-2007, 11:45 AM

MMA Weekly: Undefeated heavyweight fighter Brandon ‘The Truth’ Vera burst onto the UFC scene in impressive fashion a year and a half ago, securing wins over Fabiano Scherner, Justin Eilers, Assuerio Silva and most recently former UFC Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir.

After his quick demolition of Mir at UFC 65, though, Vera seems to have dropped under – but not off of – the MMA radar, with no fights in the past six months. MMAWeekly’s Executive Editor Scott Petersen caught up with Brandon recently to find out when he plans on returning to the ring and to find out which organization his next fight may likely be with.

Brandon said, “I’ve been traveling and training, I just got back from Thailand. I want to be back in August. I’ve been training and my weight is already down to 228. I’m not even training for a fight, but I’m training hard right now.”

With the influx of fighters in both the UFC’s heavyweight and light-heavyweight division, if Vera does indeed return to the UFC in August, are there any opponents that he’s really looking forward to facing?

“Arlovski, Nogueira, CroCop…especially Chuck [Liddell]. I still want Chuck. I want to fight him before he’s tired of fighting. I want to fight him when he’s still in his prime and he’s still hungry and he’s still hitting people hard. I don’t want to fight him after he’s over the hump,” Vera said.

As Brandon continues to train and work on new skills, the thought of an even more talented Brandon Vera is an exciting prospect for fans, regardless of whom Brandon steps into the cage with. His exciting standup, knockout power and submission capacity make Brandon a man who will give anyone in the UFC – regardless of the division – a competitive fight.

The question might instead be, “Can anyone in the UFC give Brandon a competitive fight?” So far the answer is no, but I’m sure Arlovski, Nogueira, Gonzaga, Herring, CroCop, Couture or Liddell may have something to say about that. For now, fans can only hope to find out what the ‘Truth’ in this intriguing question might be as Vera plans his return to the cage in upcoming months.

The Bodybag · 05-19-2007, 11:54 AM

I used to like Vera a lot more, theres just something about him now that just nugs me. He's a great fighter but i think its been kind of disrespectful how he just calls out these champs/former champs all the time as if they were just any old fighter. I think if he puts $ and ego behind him he will definately continue to be a big factor at the hw division.

Ryduce · 05-19-2007, 11:54 AM

WAR VERA!

Representing the 757.

BCguy · 05-19-2007, 12:24 PM

I though Vera was going to EliteXC ? or am i wrong ?

PINOYPRIDE · 05-19-2007, 12:39 PM

^^ I think he renewed his contract with the UFC

Moonpie · 05-19-2007, 12:41 PM

I really hope that he stays in the UFC. For sure, HW division would be still very tough without him but he is so good and interesting person that i wan't him to stay in the UFC.

PINOYPRIDE · 05-19-2007, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moonpie

I really hope that he stays in the UFC. For sure, HW division would be still very tough without him but he is so good and interesting person that i wan't him to stay in the UFC.

I agree with you but it seems like he wants to drop down to LHW to fight Chuck...Which I would like to see

Pitbull · 05-19-2007, 12:47 PM

I want to see Brandon back so bad. There are so many guys I want to see him fight.

MTKrav911 · 05-19-2007, 01:28 PM

I agree, i wish he'd come back for UFC 73 in Sacramento. He's a good fighter not only on his feet, but he has some nice BJJ too.

I really miss seeing The Truth fight, and can't wait to see who the UFC will pit him up against in his return. Hope its an exciting matchup.

OneBigThrow · 05-19-2007, 01:43 PM

Quote:

its been kind of disrespectful how he just calls out these champs/former champs all the time

damned if you do, damned if you dont i guess

FEC4 · 05-19-2007, 02:15 PM

well ig he comes back they might put him against Cro Cop or AA, i really hope its CC so he can give vera his lost, JK, who knows Vera is good fighter and i hope he beats his next opponent unless its CC

opsy · 05-19-2007, 02:26 PM

no doubt he has a lot of potential, but he will never get a chance to live up his own hype unless he steps in to the octagon.

Osnodon · 05-19-2007, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bodybag

I used to like Vera a lot more, theres just something about him now that just nugs me. He's a great fighter but i think its been kind of disrespectful how he just calls out these champs/former champs all the time as if they were just any old fighter. I think if he puts $ and ego behind him he will definately continue to be a big factor at the hw division.

He's not calling those people out he was simply asked a question "Who would you like to fight" and he responded. That's not disrespectful at all.

Moonpie · 05-19-2007, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PINOYPRIDE

I agree with you but it seems like he wants to drop down to LHW to fight Chuck...Which I would like to see

I believe so, but he also wants to fight Arlovski, Cro Cop and Nogueira and they are heavyweights. So, he has to choose HW or LHW. He talks alot about fighting Chuck so maybe LHW division is a bit more tempting for him. Maybe it would be better to see him fighting in LHW divison because there are no potential challengers for Chuck at the moment imo (except Rampage).

The Bodybag · 05-19-2007, 04:46 PM

Onebigthrow, i know what i said made it sound like i was pissed he called out great fighters, its more that he hasnt really acknowleged them as great fighters. If you want to fight the best then power to ya bro you got balls, but you should let people know you respect the top guys, and that your not just one of the billion "i could kick the champs ass" type people.

Osnodon · 05-19-2007, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bodybag

Onebigthrow, i know what i said made it sound like i was pissed he called out great fighters, its more that he hasnt really acknowleged them as great fighters. If you want to fight the best then power to ya bro you got balls, but you should let people know you respect the top guys, and that your not just one of the billion "i could kick the champs ass" type people.

I think its clear he does with the comments about Liddell. He says he wants to fight the best so he lists the best.

earvinarp · 05-19-2007, 04:51 PM

I believe the next fighter Vera should get is Arlovski. The one who wins that one gets a shot at the heavyweight belt. At this point Cro Cop would be an unfair match for him for 2 reasons: 1. Vera is on a winning streak and ahead of Mirko in terms of getting a title shot and 2. Cro Cop will be pretty scary in his next fight, coming back from a KO, and should get a top fighter but in a similar position as his: Kongo.

As far as Vera fighting Chuck, the question is: who does not want to fight him right now? There is a long line and Vera is definitely not ahead in the list. Now, if he beats AA and Couture or Gonzaga, that will give him the profile to request Chuck.

The Bodybag · 05-19-2007, 05:09 PM

Osnodon, I disagree with Vera giving Chuck respect, a while back he says he hits harder than chuck and is all around better in the cage. When Vera said he wants to fight the best, he was not handing out compliments, he was hinting he wants a title.

Osnodon · 05-19-2007, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bodybag

Osnodon, I disagree with Vera giving Chuck respect, a while back he says he hits harder than chuck and is all around better in the cage. When Vera said he wants to fight the best, he was not handing out compliments, he was hinting he wants a title.

Well I think its hard to argue he isn't all around better in the cage than Chuck, probably doesn't hit harder though. To be the best you have to beat the best which is exactly what he wants to do.

"I still want Chuck. I want to fight him before he’s tired of fighting. I want to fight him when he’s still in his prime and he’s still hungry and he’s still hitting people hard. I don’t want to fight him after he’s over the hump"

He's say that Chuck is at his best right now, I don't see that as disrespectful in the least.

The Bodybag · 05-19-2007, 05:24 PM

Oh i agree that comment was in no way bad, im refuring to a little while back i think around his 2nd fight? not positive. And with the being better than chuck, more rounded yes, but chuck gets it done with the jagged tools hes got. i agree to be the best you got to beat the best, it just seems like he's making it more i am the best i just got to put this notch n my belt first. I remember reading something by chuck sayin vera pissed him off a long time ago. And dont get me wrong i like Vera and he's an excellent fghter who should be getting pushed more, he's the jon fitch of hw. That might be why im noticing this , i like him so much seeing him in a dif light makes him lok a lot worse than a different fighter. And this is pure opinion, i obviously cant tell if he respects them or not, it just feels thats the way it is.