Vera fights streaking Ukrainian in ONE FC debut

CEBU, Philippines - Filipino-American mixed martial artist Brandon “The Truth” Vera will mark his debut in the One Fighting Championship (ONE FC) with his first fight on the Philippine soil.

Vera, who ended his eight-year run in the Ultimate Fighting Championship last June, is scheduled to make his debut in the Asia’s largest Mixed Martial Arts organization against Igor Subora of Ukraine in the ONE FC: Warrior’s Way on December 5 at the Mall of Asia Arena here.

“ONE Fighting Championship will hold nothing back as it returns for another night to remember at the state-of-the-art Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines. Brandon Vera is a global Filipino mixed martial arts superstar, and ONE FC will finally give fans in the Philippines the opportunity to see him in action live for the first time,” ONE FC CEO Victor Cui said in a press statement emailed to Philstar.com.

The 37-year-old Vera, who was once the No. 1 challenger during Tim Sylvia’s reign at the UFC heavyweight division, is looking to revive his MMA career after losing his last two bouts.

Vera lost to Mauricio “Shogun” Rua via 4th round TKO in 2012 in what came down as his last light heavyweight bout. But his gutsy stand against Rua is widely considered his best performance in his career.  He also lost to Ben Rothwell via a third round TKO last year in his comeback heavyweight after five years of campaigning in the light heavyweight division.

Vera, who is very fluent in Tagalog after being raised by his Filipino father Ernesto and a Filipina stepmother Amelia in Norfolk, Virginia, will be tested against the Manila-based Subora.

The Ukrainian is a former URCC heavyweight champion and is currently on a five-fight win streak.  — Philippine STAR News Service

Also included in the fight card is the main event featuring ONE FC bantamweight world champion Bibiano Fernandes defending his title against Korean superstar Dae Hwan Kim.

The Brazilian champion is riding on an eight fight win streak while Kim is unbeaten in 10 fights with five coming via submission.

Kim earned the title shot after beating Filipino contender Kevin Belingon in the co-main event of ONE FC: War of Nations in Malaysia last March.-Philippine STAR News Service