Brandon Vera wants to make his return to the Octagon in August, which would be about nine months since his last fight against Frank Mir at UFC 65 in November 2006, according to MMAWeekly.com.
“The Truth” was supposed to finish the final fight on his deal before the end of May. However, the UFC granted him a fight extension to resolve issues with his management team — issues that more or less got him in hot water with the Zuffa brass.
Now, the undefeated star has returned from training in Thailand and has designs to challenge the top heavyweights — and the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Chuck Liddell — in the very near future.
Here’s a snip:
“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…. [I look forward to facing] Arlovski, Nogueira, Cro Cop … 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.”
Of course, Vera still has to sign a contract extension if the UFC is going to set up those marquee bouts.
However, Vera has made it very clear that he intends to stay with the organization rather than jump ship to EliteXC, which allegedly offered him a whopping $1.5 million signing bonus.
If that’s not a sign of dedication and commitment, then I don’t know what is.
UFC 74 is slated for August 25 in Las Vegas, which also features the showdown between UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture and Gabriel Gonzaga. Former champions Tim Sylvia and Mir are also tentatively slated to tangle that evening.
Sounds like perfect timing.
72 Comments »
Vera vs Liddell? I never really thought of that match up.. How do you guys see that fight turning out?
Oh and also I have a question. How do yall think that Rashad Evans would do against Chuck? Rashad just keeps winning and I am picking him against Tito, I wondered if yall thought Evans would do well against Liddell.
Give Vera Orvlovski and let em’ bang. Both guys need to prove how hungry they are albeit for different reasons. Thatd be a good ass fight to watch.
This guy is by far a good fighter and i am excited to see him get back in the mix, but I don’t think he’s great. He named a pretty elite group of guys that he wants to fight. I put him on the losing side of each guy he named. An August return should be perfect for a Cro Cop/Vera fight.
CC has to get back on his feet and Vera has alot to prove. This fight makes great sense.
cro cop would destroy him. PUT IT IN 72. gaurantee you cro cop would do it
Well, you gotta appreciate his desire. I dont blame him for wanting to be one of Liddells last 10 or so fights. GL with that list of names though… dude is gonna have to really refine every aspect of fighting to beat Minotauro, Chuck, Cro Cop, and so on.
No matter who Vera fights, I see him victorious.
Good for Brandon Vera, he is the man.
Its about time. Wonder how he does if he drops weight to 205, but I would rather see him get creamed by Cro Cop.
[quote comment="59533"]No matter who Vera fights, I see him victorious.[/quote]
same here, I think Vera is about as dangerous a fighter as the UFC has ever seen. I have a serious gut feeling that he would beat Cro Cop and Chuck, but I’m not so sure about Nog, but you never know. Any doubters should watch Vera vs Mir.
Careful what you wish for, chuck would knock him out.
[quote post="2157"]cro cop would destroy him. PUT IT IN 72. gaurantee you cro cop would do it [/quote]
Vera will own CC, period!
[quote post="2157"]Careful what you wish for, chuck would knock him out. [/quote]
Chuck would finaly get knocked out.
I wouldnt mind seing arlovski destroy brandon vera, vera’s a tough fighter but arlovski has more experience and plus he’s my favorite heavywiehgt…..
so yeah i would give it to arlovski
The reason I think Brandon can beat these guys is because all he has to do is tag them a good one, “Got em dizzy” and then go in for the kill. The guy has killer instinct and when he smells blood ,your DONE.
They should put him in with Arlovski, then we’ll see how ready he is for Fedor!
I want to see him fight CC at 74. They should of named that event Heavy Hitters. All Heavy weight bouts
[quote comment="59600"]They should put him in with Arlovski, then we’ll see how ready he is for Fedor![/quote]
that would be a great fight, could go either way, but as much as I like AA I think Vera is the future
Dosnt matter, throw Vera in with anybody Legit and ill be happy.
Man, Vera is right up there with GSP as far as rep on this site huh?
Yet another untested fighter that needs to go through the ringer…
[quote comment="59588"] [/quote]
Chuck would finaly get knocked out.[/quote]
[/quote]
Vera will own CC, period![/quote]
is this guy serious?!!
[quote comment="59676"][quote comment="59588"] [/quote]
Chuck would finaly get knocked out.[/quote]
[/quote]
Vera will own CC, period![/quote]
is this guy serious?!![/quote]
first two lines are quotes
[quote post="2157"]Man, Vera is right up there with GSP as far as rep on this site huh?
Yet another untested fighter that needs to go through the ringer…[/quote]
Some people can see that GSP and Vera are cut from the same cloth,that all. Randy and Rogan have both said Vera is the future, so it’s not like only the niave and uneducated think this.
[quote post="2157"]Chuck would finaly get knocked out.
Vera will own CC, period!
is this guy serious?!!
first two lines are quotes [/quote]
This guy is dead serious. Not taking anything away from Chuck and CC but, I just see them as too one dimentional to beat Vera. Brandon doesn’t rush in swinging like so many of Chuck victoms, only to get hit with a counter punch. He springs in ,one shot and bounces right back out. He switch his stance constantly witch will make it hard to predict a pattern. Vera proved in all of his fights, if he stuns you, It’s only a matter of seconds until you’re finished. At the end of the fight we’re going to hear Brandon’s famouse words when asked to talk us through the fight, “GOT EM DIZZY”.
[quote comment="59587"][quote post="2157"]cro cop would destroy him. PUT IT IN 72. gaurantee you cro cop would do it [/quote]
Vera will own CC, period![/quote]
Your crazy…LOL. Vera has more Muay Thai than GG obviously, but don’t think CC will ever get caught like that again. It would be a kicking battle between CC/Vera, but I could see Vera folding in half after a vicious kick to one of those chicken legs
about time. he has to work for the money, not demand it.
Silva was gonna have Vera pinned to that mat gasping for air had he not sunk that lucky guillotine choke in. Let me quote the big headed bastard ” I sunk that choke in…and prayed to the lord that he would tap out” Oh and than he beats Mir and he thinks he deserves 200K a fight….LOL. Soon everyone will know that this guy was all “TALK”
[quote comment="59623"]Dosnt matter, throw Vera in with anybody Legit and ill be happy.[/quote]
Your right let’s just see it go down already with a real contender
Come on UFC give this guy his cash money. I want to see him in the octagon, he is young and talented. This guy is no joke he might just beat everyone that he called out. Chuck, Cro Cop, Andre and even Tito, u guys better look out, “The Truth is coming fo yah”
I’d like to see Vera in with someone like Rampage.I wonder how Vera would handle being power slamed.
[quote post="2157"]Man, Vera is right up there with GSP as far as rep on this site huh?
Yet another untested fighter that needs to go through the ringer[/quote]
Huh?
[quote post="2157"]Some people can see that GSP and Vera are cut from the same cloth,that all. Randy and Rogan have both said Vera is the future, so it’s not like only the niave and uneducated think this.[/quote]
What?
cro cop would destroy him. PUT IT IN 72. gaurantee you cro cop would do it
Vera will own CC, period!
Your crazy…LOL. Vera has more Muay Thai than GG obviously, but don’t think CC will ever get caught like that again. It would be a kicking battle between CC/Vera, but I could see Vera folding in half after a vicious kick to one of those chicken legs
Don’t forget how many guys went night ,night from those same chicken legs. Vera has more ways to win ,like on the ground.
[quote post="2157"] but I could see Vera folding in half after a vicious kick to one of those chicken legs [/quote]
And I could see CC having a nap after eating a vicious knee.
I think he is a real threat, he seems to be the anderson silva of the heavyweight.
All of the fights i’v seen him in they have all been excting, so any fight i see is a bonus to a card.
Vera is as all rounded as you can get.When he said he wants to be champ at heavy and lightheavy at the same time.I think that eventually the can pull it off.
I dont deny that vera is a well rounded and great fighter. But i dont see where he has really been tested yet. Sure he has fought some good tough fighters but no one to the caliber of chuck. I think vera and Randy C would be a good test. I like arlovski alot but that would be a hard fight to call. And why do people keep sayin chuck is one demintional. If it aint broke dont fix it. Chucks one of the best if not the best striker in the world just because he never goes to the ground doesnt make him a one trick pony he’s like a purple belt in BJJ maybe further by now. He’s a great wrestler but obviously if he’s better at striking he’s not gonna shoot for a takedown or try to take it to the ground. Anyways im not saying chuck would walk through vera like nothing cuz anyone liddell fights are gonna be top ranked fighters. But i see vera hitting a wall probably his next fight. But i guess will see
Hey Thor1982, I guess I didn’t word that right. What I meant to say is CC is one dimentional. I don’t think Chuck is one dimentional ,I just think Vera has more ways to win.
arlovski would beat vera , hands down
Vera is delusional. He needs a handful of fights before he steps in against those guys. Nuthuggers, repent!
[quote comment="59521"]cro cop would destroy him. PUT IT IN 72. gaurantee you cro cop would do it[/quote]
Thats what everyone said about CC vs. Gonzaga. The only thing that CC would destroy is more of his reputation if he fights Vera before he gets a lot more experience fighting in a cage.
[quote post="2157"]Vera is delusional. He needs a handful of fights before he steps in against those guys. Nuthuggers, repent![/quote]
Most guys get a title shot after 4 wins in a row let alone very decisive wins. Vera is deserving and ready for the top contenders, and anyone who can’t see that is delusional. I guess I was nuthugging when I said GG would beat CC. Vera beat the same level of guys as GG (- CC) only more impressively.
[quote post="2157"]Thats what everyone said about CC vs. Gonzaga. The only thing that CC would destroy is more of his reputation if he fights Vera before he gets a lot more experience fighting in a cage. [/quote]
I couldn’t agree more.
Yea Gord i agree with the fact that CC needs more time in the octagon and more training as far as his ground game or lack there of. But Liddell has the skills to survive on the ground so if he gets taken down he isnt screwed maybe the Liddell of four or five years ago would be screwed if it went to the ground. I think Chuck has worked hard at his takedown defense and its better than its ever been. Thats not to say Chuck is invincible i think if chuck got matched with a striker that has one punch KO power like himself he would be in for a battle. I dont see any GNP or BJJ fighters in his weight class that really pose a huge threat to his title. But then again all fights are unpredictable one punch or one wrong move and chucks no longer the champ so who knows. Vera as great as he is i think he would get ko’ed by Liddell if he wasnt really really careful. Now maybe if Vera got a headkick in that would be bad news for chuck but i dont see vera being able to take chuck down if tito couldnt i dont see vera doing very well at it. And when tito managed to get chuck down once he couldnt keep him down and tito is a GNP master. Well sorry to ramble on guys
Well Thor you have good points, and I know no one brought it up, but Vera would send Tito to his grave if that match up ever happened. So with that said I still believe vera would either beat Chuck, or atleast give him a tougher time than Tito did.
My basis for thinking that is that Tito couldn’t get Chuck down because he was too scared to close the distance, strike with him, and then go for the takedown. Vera on the other hand would not be so afraid of getting knocked out, so he would try to close the distance, that is if he wanted it on the ground. Although he might just stand and bang with him.
[quote post="2157"]Yea Gord i agree with the fact that CC needs more time in the octagon and more training as far as his ground game or lack there of. But Liddell has the skills to survive on the ground so if he gets taken down he isnt screwed maybe the Liddell of four or five years ago would be screwed if it went to the ground. I think Chuck has worked hard at his takedown defense and its better than its ever been. Thats not to say Chuck is invincible i think if chuck got matched with a striker that has one punch KO power like himself he would be in for a battle. I dont see any GNP or BJJ fighters in his weight class that really pose a huge threat to his title. But then again all fights are unpredictable one punch or one wrong move and chucks no longer the champ so who knows. Vera as great as he is i think he would get ko’ed by Liddell if he wasnt really really careful. Now maybe if Vera got a headkick in that would be bad news for chuck but i dont see vera being able to take chuck down if tito couldnt i dont see vera doing very well at it. And when tito managed to get chuck down once he couldnt keep him down and tito is a GNP master. Well sorry to ramble on guys [/quote]
I agree, Chuck is more than just a kickboxer and the fight could go either way, I just have to root for my man Vera.
Look CC is basically a kickboxer. He has a weak chin and he’s not that great on the ground. Whereas Vera is a great striker, great muay-tai, and he has a black belt in jiu-jitsu. Logically I see Vera winning this fight but, anything can happen in mma.
overrated and a bad dancer he is
[quote comment="59533"]No matter who Vera fights, I see him victorious.[/quote]
A guy named Fedor disagrees
[quote comment="59704"][quote comment="59587"][quote post="2157"]cro cop would destroy him. PUT IT IN 72. gaurantee you cro cop would do it [/quote]
Vera will own CC, period![/quote]
Your crazy…LOL. Vera has more Muay Thai than GG obviously, but don’t think CC will ever get caught like that again. It would be a kicking battle between CC/Vera, but I could see Vera folding in half after a vicious kick to one of those chicken legs[/quote]
Exactly…If vera wants a stand up fight with CC…he has no chance
[quote comment="59746"][quote post="2157"] but I could see Vera folding in half after a vicious kick to one of those chicken legs [/quote]
And I could see CC having a nap after eating a vicious knee.[/quote]
Yeah we all know…vera is the greatest fighter ever….who has never fought anyone good….lets see…a post accident has been frank mir is his biggest win to date…wow…maybe next they will bring back Ken Shamrock to fight heavyweight and add another win to his padded record…until he he beats AA, Tim, CC, Werdum, Randy, Monson, Gonzaga..etc he just another heavy weight hopeful…not the second coming of Fedor as some people seem to think of him around here
I agree with thee above posted comment vera’s record does seem kind of padded. Thats not to say he’s not a great well rounded fighter. He just hasnt faced a anyone in real contention for the title or for any title or should i say anyone who’s close cuz i guess all fighters are in contention. I could be wrong ive been wrong before vera could show up on the scene and walk through everyone they put in front of him. But majority says that aint gonna happen and i tend to agree.
[quote comment="59547"][quote comment="59533"]No matter who Vera fights, I see him victorious.[/quote]
same here, I think Vera is about as dangerous a fighter as the UFC has ever seen. I have a serious gut feeling that he would beat Cro Cop and Chuck, but I’m not so sure about Nog, but you never know.
Any doubters should watch Vera vs Mir.[/quote]
Wow, you guys sound pretty confident. Mir and Silva are not top contenders. Vera has to beat a big name and then let the talking begin.
[quote comment="59746"][quote post="2157"] but I could see Vera folding in half after a vicious kick to one of those chicken legs [/quote]
And I could see CC having a nap after eating a vicious knee.[/quote]
Well I don’t think CC was prepared for Gonzaga to kick his head off but he certainly expect kicks coming from Vera. If Vera could take the fight to decision even in a loss, then he’s made it to the big time.
Vera is the business..I like to see him fight Minotauro and/or Shogun. That would be great fight to watch.
[quote post="2157"]but I could see Vera folding in half after a vicious kick to one of those chicken legs
And I could see CC having a nap after eating a vicious knee.
Yeah we all know…vera is the greatest fighter ever….who has never fought anyone good….lets see…a post accident has been frank mir is his biggest win to date…wow…maybe next they will bring back Ken Shamrock to fight heavyweight and add another win to his padded record…until he he beats AA, Tim, CC, Werdum, Randy, Monson, Gonzaga..etc he just another heavy weight hopeful…not the second coming of Fedor as some people seem to think of him around here [/quote]
Well hopefully next they will give him a big name to fight so we can put this “he has never fought anyone good” to rest. Post accident or not, I’d like to see how many HW’s could demolish Mir in 1 min. You’re right, he is just another HW hopeful, but some people see a litle bit of potential when a fighter finishes 6 guy in 10 minutes combind. Mir dominated nobodies in the exact same way and went staight to the champ to win. Some people need proof, others just need evidence. One way or the other the proof will be in his next fight.
Vera could not hang with CC on the feet. And there is no way he could get CC down.
CC is a very strong guy, stronger than Vera. If the regular like always CC comes back, Vera could not hang bottom line. To big of a jump in level of competition.
But like I said before, freakin put Vera in with ANYBODY legit, and ill be happy. Lets finally see what this kid can actually do, cuz befoer that, it is kinda impossible to debate it.
[quote post="2157"]Vera could not hang with CC on the feet. And there is no way he could get CC down.
CC is a very strong guy, stronger than Vera. If the regular like always CC comes back, Vera could not hang bottom line. To big of a jump in level of competition.
But like I said before, freakin put Vera in with ANYBODY legit, and ill be happy. Lets finally see what this kid can actually do, cuz befoer that, it is kinda impossible to debate it. [/quote]
Vera is way stronger than he looks. He had Mir and Silva tied up on the ground and they’re stronger than CC. Your right, enough debating, Dana set the fight up already.
Well guess what…I was in Long Island for the Randy autograph signing and I happened to run into Pete Sells ex girlfriend. She works as a promoter for the UFC…So we started talking about Cro Cop and she said it will be him vs Vera sometime later this year for his next fight…so everyone place your bets!!!!!!…its not official yet…but it makes sense for a big money pay per view for the UFC. Im already excited
[quote comment="59408"]Vera vs Liddell? I never really thought of that match up.. How do you guys see that fight turning out?
Oh and also I have a question. How do yall think that Rashad Evans would do against Chuck? Rashad just keeps winning and I am picking him against Tito, I wondered if yall thought Evans would do well against Liddell.[/quote]
i feel that vera must get a few more fights and keep winning, because right now chuck is only fighting to defend the belt. but if this happens then i think that id be a good fight, but id pick chuck to knock him out.
as for rashad agnist chuck i think hed have to completely dominate tito and win in a desisve fashion in order to be considered to fight chuck, but i think he could present problems for chuck, hes a stud wrestler with great takedowns, but chuck has the best takedown defense in the entire ufc. i think that chuck would take care of business as usual.
id like to see chuck and vera, however, id much rather see vera fight a tought opponet rather than washed up frank mir, and silva. maybe if he dropped to 205 he could fight forrest or rasahd evans. but if he stays in the heavyweight class let him fight andrei, if he can hang with andrei hell do ok with chuck
[quote post="2157"]Well guess what…I was in Long Island for the Randy autograph signing and I happened to run into Pete Sells ex girlfriend. She works as a promoter for the UFC…So we started talking about Cro Cop and she said it will be him vs Vera sometime later this year for his next fight…so everyone place your bets!!!!!!…its not official yet…but it makes sense for a big money pay per view for the UFC. Im already excited [/quote]
Are you going to change your name if Vera wins?
[quote comment="62192"][quote post="2157"]Well guess what…I was in Long Island for the Randy autograph signing and I happened to run into Pete Sells ex girlfriend. She works as a promoter for the UFC…So we started talking about Cro Cop and she said it will be him vs Vera sometime later this year for his next fight…so everyone place your bets!!!!!!…its not official yet…but it makes sense for a big money pay per view for the UFC. Im already excited [/quote]
Are you going to change your name if Vera wins?[/quote]
yes…I will change it to “Gonzaga’s bringing hairy back”
[quote comment="61702"]Well guess what…I was in Long Island for the Randy autograph signing and I happened to run into Pete Sells ex girlfriend. She works as a promoter for the UFC…So we started talking about Cro Cop and she said it will be him vs Vera sometime later this year for his next fight…so everyone place your bets!!!!!!…its not official yet…but it makes sense for a big money pay per view for the UFC. Im already excited[/quote]
Cro Cop will KO Vera in the first round… maybe 2nd.
vera is the best… cro cop would just get knock to vera the same way he was to gonzaga…. can anybody tell me who gonzaga is???? i thought CC was that tough….. he was out cold man.. vera is the best…. filipino pride…. rock on…..
I just want to see him fight again hopefully in the next 10 years lol. I guess the more i hear about him and the more i look back at his fights he does seem pretty damn promising.
[quote comment="59592"]I wouldnt mind seing arlovski destroy brandon vera,
vera’s a tough fighter but arlovski has more experience and plus he’s my favorite heavywiehgt…..
so yeah i would give it to arlovski[/quote]
Don’t even put Arlovski and Silvia in Vera’s category. Vera fights to win and ever since Silvia won the title he has fought not to lose and the same holds for Arlovski after Silvia KO’d him.
Just get Vera in the ring, he makes for great fights.
i definitely agree with that dude….. vera fight to win….. hes always looking for the KO… let vera fight…. what up dana white?….
I always like how cool, calm and collected Vera seems before a fight. I would love to see him fight any of those guys except Liddel. Why is Chuck even on the List? Isn’t he a light heavyweight?
Any news on when this guy is going to fight? Mania?