MANILA, Philippines – With all the hype on Brandon Vera’s debut match against Igor Subora in the One Fighting Championship: The Warrior’s Way, a victory for the Fil-Am MMA star would be the best way to repay the Filipino community, who accepted the balikbayan. He would not disappoint as he made a thunderous victory over Subora.
“Honestly, among all my fights, this is my most nerve wracking fight. I tried not showing but man, I am fighting in the Philippines. Di ba? I mean, this is my first fight in the Philippines and my thinking is that, ‘you better do good man,’” said Vera
Vera came out of the curtains with “I’m Coming Home” as his entrance song and it sent chills throughout the arena.
In probably one of the most emotional entrance in all One FC events here and abroad, Vera came with a lot of focus and determination. No handshakes, no high fives but only a cold stare to Subora in the cage.
Vera reflected on his entire experience during the fight.
“I want to start crying man. Just felt good. I get to win in front of my family, in front of my extended family, everybody here in the Philippines, in front of the nation, in front of congressmen, in front of generals, my friends, it was a big night for me. There are a lot who came out to support me. It was gratifying, satisfying and humbling all at the same time.”
With a new organization, comes a new set of MMA rules. One FC is using the global set rules of MMA and from the start, Vera used every rule to his advantage, raining soccer kicks on Subora.
“Galing! Sakit!” said Vera, who showed his swollen foot to the media, a result of hitting Subora with numerous kicks throughout the fight.
“It is definitely different. I enjoy it. Cause if not? We could have gone two or three rounds. So I’m thankful of the soccer kicks. It changes the dynamic of the game. When you hit the ground, you can’t just hang out and wait to get on top of you. He will try to come around and kick you in the head. I love it. I just hope I won’t be in the receiving end,” added Vera.
During his days in UFC, Vera was fighting on the light heavyweight category. Here in One FC, he expressed that he is more comfortable fighting at the heavyweight division and plans to stay there as much as possible.
“I love being heavyweight. I love eating. The whole time I was here, I almost ate a ‘heavy’ buffet,” said Vera.
Vera contemplated if he would be staying in Manila for the holidays and it would be great for him and his family here in the Philippines.
When asked if he will be staying, Vera just said, “It depends! Who won the bonus tonight?”
Still celebrating on his recent homecoming and victory, Vera has gained a lot of attention, and a few One FC heavyweights are expressing their interest in fighting him.
Vera still don’t want to think when he would fight again but when the time comes that he will answer a call from One FC fight promoter Matt Hume, he would just say yes to every fight that they put on him.
“Everyone is interested in me for my second fight. Don’t get my name out of your mouth, you might get hurt,” said Vera.
“Don’t worry. One FC will put us together one way or another. I will fight whoever they in front of me. I never say no to a fight. Never was, never will. I don’t think fighters even should. If you do, you are not my kind of fighter and you don’t deserve to be in One FC,” Vera added.
Upon signing with the One FC, Vera felt that this is the organization that gave him a new beginning in life.
“This is not a new chapter. This is a new book in my life. I am super excited about the whole thing,” said Vera.
“One FC is home. I am not going anywhere. I will finish my career here at One FC. In my fighting career and hopefully continue to work and progress with them.”