Vera must work way to a rematch

LONDON – Brandon Vera won‘t be getting a rematch with Brazilian champion Fabricio Werdum after all.

Werdum, who stopped the Fil-Am fighter in the first round of their scheduled three-round duel in the UFC 85: Bedlam clash Saturday, told Vera that he must work his way back and wait for his turn before a rematch could be worked out since the Brazilian’s goal at this stage is to get a crack at the heavyweight crown held by interim champion Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira.

“No,” said the 30-year-old Werdum, through an interpreter, when asked if he had agreed to do a rematch with Vera during the post-fight press conference of the event at the O2 Arena here.

“He (Vera) must work his way and he must line up before he could fight me again,” Werdum said.

Meanwhile, Balls, ABS-CBN’s Sky Cable channel, will show the replay of the UFC 85:Bedlam at 3 p.m. today.

“He (Werdum) nodded when I asked him if he wants a rematch. I’m surprised on what he’s saying now,” said Vera. “I hope he wins the title in the future and if he does, I’ll just be right here.”

Controversy marred the main card opener when referee Dan Migliotta stopped the fight 20 seconds remaining in the first round.

Werdum, a black belt jiu-jitsu champion, successfully mounted Vera with 30 seconds to go, hitting the fallen Fil-Am with unanswered strikes and forcing Migliotta to step in and halt the bout that drew jeers from majority of the over 15,000 fans.

“I admit I’m in a bad position but I was telling the referee I’m okay, I’m okay,” he said. “Am I going to quit? Are you kidding me? There are only 15 seconds left and let’s go to the second round,” said Vera.

He added: “I jammed my finger in the first round of my last fight and I kept on in three rounds, no complaints. I won’t be quitting now with just a few seconds left in the round,” said Vera, referring to his three-round unanimous decision setback to former champion Tim “The Maine-iac” Sylvia in UFC 77.

While Werdum improved to 11-3-1 (win-loss-draw), Vera took his second straight defeat after eight straight wins.

Vera, however, vowed to fight back.

“If I have to work myself up to achieve my goal, I would do it. I will not stop until I’m there,” said Vera.