MANILA, Philippines – Eight years ago, Brandon "The Truth" Vera was at the pinnacle of his mixed martial arts career after he won his first eight fights, including a TKO victory over former heavyweight champion Frank Mir in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
After breaking his hand and various injuries and several heartbreaking losses later, Vera has plummeted out of the UFC.
Given another chance with a new fight outfit, a fledgling ONE Fighting Championship, Vera wants redemption.
"I don't look at in the past that much anymore because I'm more focused at what I can do in the present and what I will have to in my future," said Vera. "And that present is I'm fighting in the ONE FC and I hope to win here."
And Vera sure means business as he goes all out for no less than a victory when he clashes with Igor Subora in the Warriors Way fight card set Friday at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.
What's making Vera more dangerous is that he's fighting on Philippine soil for the first time ever.
"I'm excited to fight here in the Philippines for the first time and it gives me more inspiration to win," said Vera.
And Vera is not the only fighter the Filipinos will cheer on come fight time as there there will be some five more of their own seeing action headed by former women's boxing champion Ana Julaton.
Julaton hopes to follow up on her TKO win over Aya Saeid Saber last May as she faces off with Walaa Abas.
Other Filipinos in the card are Eduard Folayang, a product of the Universal Reality Combat Championship of Alvin Aguilar, against Timofey Nastyukhin, Honorio Banario versus Herbert Burns, Kevin Belingon against Koetsu Okazaki and Rene Catalan versus Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke.