Three strikes, you're out.
Brandon Vera has been released from his Zuffa contract following his third straight loss inside the Octagon, a UFC 125: "Resolution" unanimous decision defeat to Brazilian wrecking ball Thiago Silva back on Jan. 1 in Las Vegas.
Five Ounces of Pain brought word of the light heavyweight's expected release earlier today.
Vera, whose 2008 goal was to unify the heavyweight and light heavyweight titles, saw his career take a nosedive after a messy contract dispute (here and here) followed by a unanimous decision loss to former division champion Tim Sylvia.
His bout against "The Maine-iac" was for the right to face PRIDE legend Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira for the Interim heavyweight title.
In defeat, the first of his career, he was sent to the back of the line, eventually settling on another stiff test when he was booked to face Fabricio Werdum at UFC 85: "Bedlam."
"The Truth" is, it did not end well for Vera, who was stopped via technical knockout in round one.
Like most fighters who begin to struggle inside their division, the Filipino shed a few pounds to try his luck at light heavyweight.
Despite initial success against Reese Andy and Michael Patt (sandwiched around a razor-thin split decision loss to Keith Jardine), Vera would see his momentum from a UFC 102 win against Krzysztof Soszynski go by the wayside against Randy Couture at UFC 105 in November 2009.
His next two losses would be the last of his UFC career, as both Jon Jones and fellow light heavyweight contender Thiago Silva dominated him in their respective bouts.
Talent, potential and plenty of trash talk. Unfortunately Vera didn't have the wins to back them up.
Now "The Truth" will likely be found competing in smaller promotions, following a lengthy layoff to have his broken nose repaired courtesy of a Thiago Silva mauling back on New Year's Day.
Anyone think he can somehow work his way back to the big show?
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