(born October 10, 1977 in Norfolk, Virginia) is an American mixed martial arts fighter, currently fighting in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) as a light heavyweight. He currently resides in San Diego, California.
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Biography

Vera is the son of a Filipino father, Ernesto, and an Italian-American mother, Amelia. He grew up in a family with seven boys and three girls. He was born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia, and attended Lake Taylor High School where he excelled in wrestling and earned a four-year athletic scholarship to Old Dominion University. However, he dropped out of Old Dominion after a year and a half when he felt college was not for him, and enlisted himself in the United States Air Force.

In the Air Force, Vera joined the force's wrestling team and trained at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. His military wrestling career was cut short in 1999 when he tore ligaments in his right elbow. Arthroscopic surgery repaired the ligaments, but he had nerve damage from the experience, causing him to be unable to use his right arm. He was released from the Air Force on a medical discharge.

Vera returned to Virginia where he steadily rehabilitated his arm, and eventually was fit enough to enter the Grapplers Quest submission wrestling competitions on the East Coast. There, his solitary training methods (he did not belong to a camp, and trained and cut weight on his own) caught the attention of Lloyd Irvin, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu Black Belt and coach, who invited him to train with his school. At Irvin's school, he was introduced to mixed martial arts. He also trained with Linxx Academy, and Hybrid Academy, where he received a foundation of his Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Mixed martial arts career

Vera's first professional mixed martial arts bout was on July 6, 2002, while training under Lloyd Irvin. He won the fight, against Adam Rivera, via TKO in the first round. He fought and won another bout in 2004 before entering a World Extreme Cagefighting heavyweight tournament in 2005, where he won two bouts in one night, including a bout against The Ultimate Fighter 2's Mike Whitehead in the finals.

Vera moved to San Diego, California on New Year's eve of 2003 to accept a training position with City Boxing in San Diego. At City Boxing, Vera excelled as a trainer and was taken under the wing of City Boxing owner Mark Dion, who became his manager and introduced him to kickboxing great Rob Kaman. With Vera's success as a trainer and a mixed martial arts fighter, Dion gave Vera partial ownership of City Boxing.

Vera made his UFC debut at Ultimate Fight Night 2 on October 3, 2005 against Fabiano Scherner. Vera won the fight via KO mid-way through the second round. Following the Scherner bout, he faced Justin Eilers at UFC 57, winning early in the first round by knockout. At UFC 60, Vera defeated Assuerio Silva with a guillotine choke. On November 18, he needed just 69 seconds to stop ex-heavyweight champion Frank Mir at UFC 65 in Sacramento, California.

White had been telling the media prior to UFC 65 that the winner of the Vera-Mir fight would face the winner of the Tim Sylvia-Jeff Monson bout, which was also being held that same night, for the championship.

In August, the UFC announced the "return" of Brandon Vera. His first fight was against Tim Sylvia at UFC 77. Vera lost for the first time via a unanimous decision. He also broke his left hand at 4:40 minutes into the first round.

Vera had his second loss at UFC 85 against Fabricio Werdum by TKO. The fight was controversially stopped by referee Dan Miragliotta as Werdum mounted him and did some ground and pound. After the stoppage, Vera was upset as he felt he was defending himself effectively.

After his two recent losses, Vera moved to the light heavyweight division, facing IFL alum Reese Andy at an impromptu UFC event, UFC Fight Nights 14 on July 19, 2008 on Spike TV. He defeated Andy via unanimous decision.

Vera recently staged a public workout at the Mall of Asia, located in Pasay City, Philippines, which was attended by over 4,000 people. After a subsequent workout by Chuck Liddell received a similar response, UFC officials announced a UFC event would be brought to the Philippines in 2009.

At UFC 89 Vera lost to Keith Jardine via a narrow split decision. Following the fight, Vera incurred criticism for his performance since his return to the UFC having been victorious in only one of his last four fights.

A more focused Vera appeared on the preliminary card of UFC 96. It was the first time Vera wasn't on the main card since he made his debut in the UFC. He made an impressive performance against Mike Patt, showing a more aggressive and intense striking approach and stopping him via TKO (Leg kicks) in the 2nd round.

Vera is scheduled to fight Matt Hamill next at UFC 102.