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After a big break in competition, Brandon Vera is ready to return to the circle. The former heavyweight world champion last competed in April 2021 and has a point to prove when he steps back into competition.
At ONE 164 on December 3, a huge card comes to the Philippines, headlined by Joshua Pacio defending his ONE strawweight world championship against Jarred Brooks.
Elsewhere on the card, Brandon Vera will look to remind the heavyweight division why he is its first-ever champion.
In an appearance on CNN Sports Desk, ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong previewed the card, getting fans excited for the return of ‘The Truth’:
“Filipino fans have to come out and support their hometown hero Brandon. He hasn't fought in a couple of years because of COVID. But he's in the best shape of his life. He's actually in the last couple of years had a baby, and I think he has a new motivation for fighting, but also his body is very well rested, now. All the little nicks and injuries he's had in the past, he's fully recovered and he has a big task on his hand.”
Watch the full interview below:
Brandon Vera will return at ONE 164 against Amir Aliakbari, who is coming off a TKO win over Mauro Cerilli at ONE on Prime Video 1.
“I cannot wait for this event” - Brandon Vera ready for his return to Manila
Brandon Vera has got the perfect return set up for Manila in December.
The former ONE heavyweight world champion will return to the circle to take on Amir Aliakbari at ONE 164: Pacio vs. Brooks. The event is set for December 3 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
For Brandon Vera, fighting in Manila has proved to be a good luck charm. He has fought there in four of his six fights with ONE Championship, producing first-round knockouts each and every time.
In an interview with CNN Sports Desk, Vera spoke about returning to familiar ground in his long-awaited return:
“I'm more than ecstatic to be coming back to Manila. This is reminiscent of my feelings from when ONE Championship first brought me out to Manila, and we held the first show at MOA [Mall of Asia] that I was part of. I am beyond excited, beyond ecstatic, I cannot wait for this event.”
Vera made his ONE Championship debut at ONE: Warrior’s Way in December 2014. He announced his arrival as a colossal force in the promotion with a first-round knockout of Ukraine’s Igor Subora.
