Reigning Heavyweight World Champion Brandon “The Truth” Vera is back in the Philippines and was keeping a close eye on a couple of particular heavyweight matchups at ONE: UNBREAKABLE II.
The previously recorded event from the Singapore Indoor Stadium featured former ONE Heavyweight World Title challenger Mauro “The Hammer” Cerilli of Italy taking on Russia’s Abdulbasir “Dagestan Machine” Vagabov and four-time Muay Thai and Kickboxing Heavyweight World Champion Alain “The Panther” Ngalani of Hong Kong, facing Senegalese sensation “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane.
The four men are highly regarded heavyweights and are all trying to fight their way into a shot at Vera’s title.
The 43-year-old Filipino-American combat sports veteran has held the title since winning the inaugural belt in 2015, and reiterates that he’s more than willing to put it on the line against a worthy challenger.
“These guys are amazing heavyweights, each with their own attributes to solve and figure out. I’m excited to see this event, and even more excited to watch and learn. I’m beyond hyped for all the recent signings of world-class heavyweight talent. It makes me nervous, which in turn, makes me train even harder,” said Vera.
“All of them are future opponents. Everyone is when you’re the champ.”
Currently, Vera is expected to face rising star Arjan “Singh” Bhullar of India in his next world title defense, although nothing has been finalized yet and a date has yet to be confirmed. Vera did, however, teased his impending return.
“I would say abangan ‘nyo (wait for it) for the first half of the year,” Vera said.
Vera recently flew from his home in Guam back to the Philippines to wrap up a few commercial obligations, visit family, and just simply check out what he missed.
Vera and wife Jessica welcomed their first child together, Atreyu Timothy Craven Vera, last year in the US territory, and have remained there to ride out the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the first time Vera has returned to the Philippines since.
“We’re back here in the Philippines to come home for a second, finish filming our movie we started about a virus, before the real virus, and a couple of endorsement commercials,” said Vera.
By: Armando M. Bolislis
