Props: Sports Illustrated
Quoteworthy:
"Brandon Vera, it's like he lost something. That year off, I don't know what it was. He doesn't have that killer instinct, he doesn't go after it. This kid used to be so cocky, and you know he wanted to fight everybody.... He was good, he was walking through heavyweights. Took that year off, all the contract stuff, hasn't been the same guy since. I don't know what's wrong with him."
UFC President Dana White sounds puzzled after Brandon Vera lost his third fight in four attempts against Keith Jardine at UFC 89: "Bisping vs. Leben" on October 18. "The Truth" is clearly struggling since his return from a long layoff because of management and contract issues. He'll likely be the centerpiece of a Phillipines invasion sometime in 2009 -- Vera referred to himself as receiving an Elvis-like reception when he visits his homeland. Whether or not he sees action before then remains to be seen. His loss to "The Dean of Mean" was his third fight in four months.