On Saturday UFC light-heavyweight Brandon “The Truth” Vera (11-5) will step into the cage against Thiago Silva as part of the televised portion of UFC 125: Resolution.
During Wednesday’s UFC 125 pre-fight press conference Vera assured the media that his focus and respect were focused on Silva but it was it was his previous loss that he wanted to talk about.
Vera last stepped into the octagon in March of this year to face rising star Jon Jones at the UFC Live: Vera vs. Jones event. Vera admits that he didn’t offer the proper respect to Jones in that fight and paid for it with three broken bones to his face.
“The Truth” hopes that if he’s ever given a chance to face Jones again, he promises to give his opponent his full respect.
“I remember being off in my own world while he was throwing elbows and missing, and holding his wrists. And I was thinking, ‘Jeez, man, really? All the hype was about you? This is what you have to offer on the ground?” said Vera. “I remember, I said, ‘You effin’…’ And then I said ‘suck,’ but before I finished the work ‘suck,’ the elbow came down on my face and smashed my face. That’s when I realized, right then and there, ‘That’s what you get, you bastard. That’s what you get for thinking you saw ahead of the game.’”
“I guess my arrogance caught up with me. My head got real big and somebody needed to pop it. Too bad he had to pop my face for it to pop, but it’s popped,” said Vera. “I don’t like looking past any fighter anymore. Thiago has my full attention, my full respect.”
HT: Sherdog.com for the transcription.