It’s been two years since Brandon Vera last fought and defended the ONE Heavyweight World Championship. Plenty has happened since then.
Take ONE Championship for example.
Over that span, there have been 14 title changes and three new champions crowned.
Moreover, the promotion itself has become a superpower in the martial arts scene. ONE added the Super Series to its calendar, while heavily investing in E-Sports as well. Also, they signed the biggest stars in martial arts, including Demetrious Johnson and Eddie Alvarez.
The Philippine MMA scene has also changed, as Team Lakay has dominated the headlines. The stable now owns three championships and has the chance to cop their fourth come Conquest of Champions.
For his part, Vera has become a bona fide celebrity, breaking into the mainstream with the hit movie ‘BuyBust’.
Even with these changes, there’s one thing that remains as constant – Vera’s passion.
“I felt that I couldn’t give my full attention to my office, our title, because I couldn’t have time to defend it because of the movie. ONE Championship blessed me, telling me that I can finish my movie and defend my title right away,” expressed the 41-year-old, who last fought back in December 2, 2016.
After a two-year absence, the Filipino-American heavyweight will get a chance to defend his belt for the second time. Standing in his way at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on November 23 will be Mauri Cerilli.
But even with all the fame, Vera – who looked in tip-top shape during the open workout held at Victoria Sports, Quezon City – is hungrier than ever.
“Ever since I went with ONE, this has always been the plan: do the movie, keep training, and come out and show the world that I age like fine wine.
“This belt means the world to me. This means that I am the best heavyweight in the world. That’s my goal since day one. This is something I do for myself, my family, and my lola. This is something that I decide to do until I retire,” added Vera, who owns a record of 15-7-1.
But his opponent is no slouch.
Cerilli, who has amassed a record of 12-2 and is the reigning Cage Warriors Heavyweight Champion, is as big as they come – standing at 6-foot-2 and weighs 242-pounds. Moreover, he owns a wicked overhand right that has knocked out numerous opponents.
But Vera won’t allow Cerilli to steal his thunder.
“He’s a very aggressive striker. He got that deadly overhand right that great fighters are made of. Dan Henderson has a great overhand right,” he opined. “We’ve been training for that but that’s not the only thing I am preparing for. He is a big guy who is great at judo.
“There are a lot of things I have to be worried about.”
Come Friday night, he can’t wait to hear the crowd chant his name once again. And if he does not succeed, he is vowing that he will go down swinging.
“I trained twelve weeks for this fight, different skill sets from wrestling, jiu-jitsu, boxing, muay thai, kickboxing. My strength and conditioning was hardcore for this one. My coaches have been killing me in this camp,” he disclosed.
“I’m ready to go to war.”
