Brandon Vera: I've got to touch Randy's chin and see what's left
by Jesse Holland on Nov 4, 2009 9:08 AM EST
38 comments
Props: Las Vegas Sun
Quoteworthy:
"When they first told me I was going to fight in (UFC) 105, I was like, 'Hell, no. That’s nine weeks from now. I just got done fighting (at UFC 101).' Then they said I’d be fighting Randy and I was like, 'Oh yeah, I’ll fight Randy.' I always knew at some point in my career I would fight Randy. He’s one of the best. If you’re on a certain path, you’re going to have to cross certain people. I’ve told everyone it’s like a dream and a nightmare coming true at the same time. He’s broken all barriers. There is no 'old' now. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he fought until he was 51. The fights in the old dog. But I’ve got to go in and touch that chin, see how much is left in Randy. When they raise my hand, I want Randy to look over and be like, 'That (expletive).' I want him to be proud of me for turning into the fighter I always talked about being. He’s been there and watched me run my mouth at the Olympic training center. I want him to experience it first hand and say to himself, 'He’s going where he said he was going to go.'"
– Light heavyweight Brandon Vera talks about his upcoming fight against mixed martial arts legend and former division champion, Randy Couture, in the UFC 105 main event from the Manchester Evening News (MEN) Arena in Manchester, England, on Nov. 14. "The Truth" is fresh of a dominant performance over Krzysztof Soszynski in August, using a new-look southpaw stance to foil the "Polish Experiment" for three full rounds. Couture, on the other hand, has lost back-to-back fights in the heavyweight division to Brock Lesnar and Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira. The 46-year-old will return to the 205-pound division for the first time since 2006. Will "The Natural" have the right formula for success against Vera, as well as in the land of light heavies moving forward, or will the younger, faster and possibly hungrier challenger be too much to handle?
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Vera will have his back against the cage from the get-go. When he tries to move he’ll get dumped on his ass and GNPed. Randy via TKO rnd 2
by McArthur on Nov 4, 2009 9:31 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Randy wins by either stoppage in the 3rd or by decision. Going on a limb by picking 2nd round, Mac
by Synyster on Nov 4, 2009 9:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That wasn’t exactly a prediction, it was fact. Unless you go back to UFC 12 or something, in the UFC, Randy has either finished in the 3rd or won a decision. I see no reason to believe differently.
by Synyster on Nov 4, 2009 11:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
im with you, 2nd round tko. too long of reach and too fast for couture. oh and more skilled striker too.
by Egads on Nov 4, 2009 9:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I use to love Vera. Now he’s all talk. Let’s see him back it up this time around.
by ducknow on Nov 4, 2009 9:38 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Lets face it, the potential is clearly there, but Vera hasnt backed up the talk. With as fickle as you fans are,all it takes is a big win over Randy, and the next day he will be everyone’s favorite fighter. No one outside a handful of us gave Shogun a chance, yet the day after his fight, he was everyone’s favorite fighter. Basically what I am saying is that this is the chance of a lifetime for Vera. This is his shot at winning back many of the fans he has lost in the past couple of years. Personally I dont think Randy is great, so Vera beating him is not that big of a deal to me….but in the eyes o most fans it would be a huge accomplishment and gain him some of the respect the has lost.
Very curious to see if Vera can STEP UP when it counts in a big fight, or if the gun shy, hesitant Vera who isnt confident shows up and gets bullied for 15 minutes.\Huge fight for Vera.
Vera needs to step up an win, or we will be forced to let SHOGUN GET STIFFED again, and take a back seat to a Couture/Machida season of TUF! please Vera, come through or us!
by john G on Nov 4, 2009 9:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
For the record John g, I never sang the Shogun praises pre fight. I was a dragon fan all the way. He earned my respect a lil, but in no way whatsoever did I say he won, nor jump his wagon. Also, i’ve never liked Vera even after His very rare decent showings. & even if he ko’s randy I promise I will not be in the slightest, on here saying he is awesome etc.
But I won’t have to worry since Vera is gonna get manhandled. And I guarantee even if I’m wrong, randy is not gonna look @ Vera and be like “he did what he said he was gonna do”. Get over urself Cinderella story.
by Daniel worby on Nov 4, 2009 10:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Completely with you on this one John. Vera has all the potential in the world, and he knows it. Now he needs to bring it together for a big win. A win over Randy would leave Vera no more than 2 wins from a title shot, maybe even one win depending on how some other fights play out.
by PW on Nov 4, 2009 10:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with you guys, Vera can become a top 10 LHW one day with all the potential that he got. Will he finally pull on the trigger or just cruising to and Decision with fancy foot works? Randy started to slow down in his last fight and it showed. Things will only go downhill from now on for captain paycheck and Brandon should be the first to benefit of this situation Nov.14.(sorry OD)
by Alpha Male on Nov 4, 2009 10:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry p dub I just don’t see Vera being relevant. Maybe he does have the potential but I don’t think its gonna be released. Ill admit I’m wrong if he dominates randy & one more after. But he has to beat them. Not 15 minute hug em for me. Maybe I’m being too hard on him, but I feel randy has this anyways.
And whoever said that comment below about Rogers wife? That actually made me laugh out loud. For real. Good job ha ha
by Daniel worby on Nov 4, 2009 10:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The problem I have with this Vera talk is that he has said the same thing before almost every one of his fights. He goes on and on about reaching his potential and putting in the time in gym. I hear this and expect to see a better version of Vera every time and it’s same old song and dance as the last time. There is some remedial improvements but nothing that would suggest that he is capable of reaching top 5 status in this division. Even top 10 would be an accomplishment for him. I’m not saying that he doesn’t have that potential but I’m tired of hearing about it every time he comes to fight. It’s put up or shut up time for him…again. Even though Randy is a million years old…he’s still has one of the sharpest minds in the game and he knows how to exploit weaknesses. It may not be the best main event on paper but I am intrigues by the matchup nonetheless and it should be a good fight.
by Buster Bluth on Nov 4, 2009 11:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Vera’s only losses are to Big Poopy, who humped against the cage for 15 minutes; Jardine, who is capable of beating anyone in the division; and Werdum, who John can tell you about if you want. He’s won 11 fights, 8 by stoppage. I really want to see him get back to overwhelming people with knees and kicks and using his MT.
by PW on Nov 4, 2009 11:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
um yeah, PW, you just named EVERY ranked fighter that Vera has ever faced! IOW, he’s good at beating nobodies, but LOSES EVERY TIME he faces a TOP-10 opponent!
by shonuff on Nov 4, 2009 12:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Good point shonuff…Vera hasn’t beaten a decent named opponent since Mir 4 years ago when Mir had just come back from his motorcycle accident. I’m not saying his losses are inexcuseable since they were against somewhat formidable opponents but every time Vera gets a solid name to fight…he doesn’t bring it. He teases his fans by beating on one dimensional cans repeatedly but when faced with someone more well rounded…he seems almost intimidated.
I like Vera and I’d love to see him go balls to wall on Randy with some hardcore muay thai but history dictates that Vera will come in timid and more concerned about not losing than really winning this fight. He says he’s disappointed with himself after every single fight win or lose and before every fight he says that he’s finally training properly for the first time and finally ready to realize his potential. I just don’t buy it anymore and I’ll believe if and when I see it.
by Buster Bluth on Nov 4, 2009 1:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That and losing to the only top guys he fights isn’t the whole of it. He beat mir but mir is losing it now, & wasn’t 100% then. But he even has troubles beating his ‘gimme’ fights as of recent. Dana gives him guys he’s supposed to annihilate and he doesn’t. Very disappointing.
Some1 used Brandon queera. I can’t think of a good one so I may use that too. I can’t keep calling him Vera. He needs a name.
by Daniel worby on Nov 4, 2009 1:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Enough of you doubters. Vera will win this. I just don’t know if it’s gonna be in spectacular fashion because I am doubting that myself. Pretty ironic eh…
by The Negation on Nov 4, 2009 10:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well said. Although I’ll have to say that Rua is more skilled than everyone was giving him credit for and has only proven that to everyone with his fight against Lyoto. Vera on the other hand I think is skilled but just doesn’t always show it in the ring. He is to on and off and only seems to show that big bang when he’s facing no names. His fight with Randy will prove he still has it but it doesn’t prove he belongs at the top of the LHW scene. Randy imo is going to get stomped more and LHW than he did at HW. The fighters here are much more faster and contrary to popular belief hold the same kind of power the HWs do. That said this isn’t going to go well for Vera, if he gets knocked off his game plan, which Randy is very skilled at doing to fighters, it’ll be a long embarrassing night for him. I’m saying Randy by tko in the second or UD. btw flip flopping on fighters is one of my biggest peeves, you should not only like a fighter for his skill set but also his personality and heart when it comes to a fight.
by Cogito Ergo Sum on Nov 4, 2009 10:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
A correction to my post, I meant that Randy would get schooled by the higher LHWS, I still think he’ll beat Vera. Also 9 weeks to train for a fight is a good amount of time in between a fight, Vera puts his foot in his mouth with every comment.
by Cogito Ergo Sum on Nov 4, 2009 11:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
john while i don’t put anything past Dana, the outcrying of fans and media would be to great to let that happen, but the question is does Shogun wait for Machida to heal or does he fight a high profile fight?
by Robert(1) on Nov 4, 2009 11:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Go fight a high profile fight so Rampage can shut his trap about an auto rematch. Rua can do it and it’ll help to build up the potential rematch.
by Cogito Ergo Sum on Nov 4, 2009 11:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Vera won me over a little just for taking this fight as thanks to him I get to see Couture fight live, never thought I’d get the chance. I’m expecting a Randy win so if Vera gets the upset I’ll be impressed but I won’t be a fan, he has to do more to prove himself after his lackluster showings post Mir.
As for Shogun I congratulated him for his performance and felt bad for him getting robbed but I was still happy that Machida got the win. I’m in a lose lose situation here mate if I say “well done Shogun” I’m fickle and if I say “Shogun sucks, Machida won” then I’m full of shit. I thought I handled the whole mess as well as I could. Lyoto will win the rematch though, for real this time.
by David W-S on Nov 4, 2009 11:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What has impressed me is Brandon’s first attempt at humility. He’s giving Randy full props and I respect him for that. He actually seems like a decent guy for a change.
by shonuff on Nov 4, 2009 1:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Wow guys did you see Rogers wife in the countdown show? Jesus christ thats an abomination straight out of the deepest pits of hell.
by Lester The Pimp on Nov 4, 2009 9:54 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Hey, with a win over Fedor and a big payday he can trade up.
by PW on Nov 4, 2009 11:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This is your last chance at being a big-time fighter, Brandon. Don’t screw it up.
by Pat on Nov 4, 2009 9:54 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Randy has been in the cage with some big dudes lately, when he gets his hands on Vera, it will feel like a feather, and Vera takes a ride down to the mat and gets Gonzaga’d, Couture by beatdown, 3rd round.
by the Slovak on Nov 4, 2009 10:09 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Randy id going to kick your ass!!!!!!!!!! then the UFC can cut you cause your a can!!!!!!
by the spyder on Nov 4, 2009 10:15 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Hey guys…
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by OJR Is King (formerly Introvert) on Nov 4, 2009 11:04 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
hopefully randy can make this fight Xciting ! Vera’s known for making fights suck as much as humanly possible!!
by d*locc on Nov 4, 2009 12:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
CAN RANDY GET VERA TO THE GROUND?
Everything depends on that question. Randy does not get submitted, and if he gets Vera to the ground he will pound him. If Randy cannot get it to the ground, he loses to a better striker. I like Vera and would love to see him win, but I do not see how he can stop this fight from going to the ground.(outside of a lucky shot) When Vera tries to kick or engage on the feet Randy will close and bring it to the ground. Hope I’m wrong, but I see Randy doing some GNP.
by Dan on Nov 4, 2009 12:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
You better do something Brandon or we are gonna see that there’s nothing much left careerwise in the UFC.
by neeko on Nov 4, 2009 1:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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