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                                          interview by j. michael niotta

As a sometimes student of Brandon “The Truth” Vera, I can vouch for him as one of the good guys and City Boxing as a solid place to train. I recently stopped in on the 5 and 0 UFC Fighter during one of his classes and shot the shit with him about fighting, training, call outs and…marriage.

86: You’ve said you plan on taking both the Light Heavy and Heavy Weight UFC titles. You’ve also said you’re not yet ready for the Heavyweight Champ, Arlovski. When are you planning on taking the belt away?
brandon vera: I wanna train one more solid year; get my technique correct, work on specifically training just for Arlovski. I’ll be good to go. The size isn’t a big deal. Everybody thinks I don’t want to fight Arlovski cuz he’s big, but I’ve been fighting people big since I was ten. I’ve always been a big kid and there’s always been bigger kids who wanted to pick on me. The size difference is not a big deal to me.

86: How big is he?
bv: He’s like 245, 255, shredded.

86: You’re?
bv: 220, 225.

86: As far as the Light Heavy Title, I’ve read both diet and dollars are the factors keeping you from taking over. Has your 5 and 0 record brought the attention of any new sponsors that can make that happen?
bv: Yeah, a lot of sponsors are interested.
 

86: So when can we expect to see you down at 205 and in the ring with Liddell?
bv: Whenever the UFC wants it. They got the money. They can make it happen if they want it bad enough. So, whenever they’re ready, I’m ready. I’ll take Chuck on, yeah, I’ll fight Chuck.

86: Have you heard any response from him regarding your call out?
bv: Nah, It’s business. Chuck’s a cool cat. I saw him at a UFC and I said, ‘Hello.” It’s no hard feelings. It’s business.

86: What is your take on Couture’s retirement?
bv: Well timed. Randy’s put in his time. He’s paved a solid road for the rest of us fighters coming out, coming up.

86: He was wrestling with you back in the day…
bv: I was training with Randy back in the Olympic training center. He’s a great training partner, great role model. He’s probably gonna be an awesome big brother or father, cousin, father in law, brother in law, whatever. He’s awesome all the way around. He’s just a cooool guy.

86: Do you see yourself making it that long in the game?
bv: My plan is to just fight for 5 years total. October of 2005 was my debut, so I want to be retired October of 2010.
 

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