UFC light-heavyweight fighter Brandon “The Truth” Vera (11-5) is looking to return to the octagon this coming December or January. Even though he suffered a severe eye injury at the hands of Jon Jones last March, in the main event of UFC LIVE: Vera vs. Jones, Vera doesn’t believe any of the hype that is currently surrounding the rising young fighter.
“During the fight I remember thinking, ‘Man, really? All the hype was about this guy?’” Vera said. “I specifically remember saying to him in my head, ‘Man, you (expletive) suck.’
“Right when the ‘k’ came out in my head, I got blasted.”
“It’s hard for me to say because he beat me, but I still don’t believe the hype,” Vera said. “I like Jon Jones as a fighter, but I owe that (expletive). He’s definitely not coming to my house for Christmas.”
During the first round, Jones threw an elbow that fractured Vera’s face in three places. It also severed a nerve and lodged a chip of bone behind his right eyeball.
To repair the damage, Vera had to undergo multiple surgeries, the last of which took place just seven weeks ago.
“I’m still babying it, but it’s getting better,” Vera said. “At one point, I couldn’t even touch it. December or January is when I’m looking to come back. I test my face every day to see what I can get away with.”
Vera was interviewed by the LasVegasSun.com. The fighter is currently on a two fight losing streak, suffering defeat at the hands of Jones and Randy Couture who beat him at UFC 105 in November.