After 19 months, former ONE Heavyweight World Champion Brandon Vera will make his return.
And there’s no other place to do it than in ONE Championship’s return to Manila.
The 45-year-old Filipino-American has been booked for ONE 164 which takes place on December 3 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and will face Iranian big man Aliakbari Amir.
ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong made the announcement on CNN Sportsdesk.
Vera, who owns a 16-9 pro record, is coming off back-to-back losses to Aung La N Sang and Arjan Bhullar — the latter happening back on May 15, 2021. The two defeats came by way of stoppages.
Aliakbari, meanwhile, is coming off a win against Mauro Cerilli last August that stopped his two-fight losing streak. He is 11-3 in his career.
The bout adds more depth to the already stacked card that is headlined by ONE ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua āThe Passionā Pacio defending his belt against Jarred āThe Monkey Godā Brooks.
Also in the card are Team Lakay’s Geje āGravityā Eustaquio, Danny āThe Kingā Kingad, promising atomweight Jenelyn Olsim and bantamweight Jeremy āThe Jaguarā Pacatiw.