Brandon “The Truth” Vera: Why the Heavyweight Legend is Still the King of Pinoy MMA

If you call yourself an MMA fanatic and don’t have Brandon “The Truth” Vera on your radar, are you even watching?

The Filipino-American heavyweight icon has been a staple of the Philippine fight scene for years, and he’s still the blueprint for what it means to be a modern-day gladiator. Whether he's dominating the cage or chilling in his new home base in the Philippines, Vera remains a massive draw for anyone who loves a good comeback story.

Facing obstacles of his own

Born and raised in Virginia, USA, Vera has been actively competing in kickboxing, grappling, and mixed martial arts since 2002. In 2005, he made his debut at the World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) in California, where he beat Andre Mussi. Just a few months later, he joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in Nevada knocking out Fabiano Scherner.

Image credit: ONE Championship

By 2014, Vera entered the ONE Fighting Championship: Warrior’s Way in the Philippines in a battle against Igor Subora, which he also won. From then on, he has distinguished himself as one of the most refined mixed martial artists the world has ever seen. Amidst his success, he relocated to the Philippines to share and promote his craft to fellow Filipinos.

Having gone through medical, personal, and professional challenges, his life obstacles couldn’t be any more different from those he’d often take on in the arena — from going through surgery for his torn ligaments.

While he’s faced everything from torn ligaments to brutal battles against icons like Aung La N Sang, his biggest wins happen outside the cage these days. He’s fully embraced the island life, proving that even heavyweights need a little Vitamin Sea.

Also read: These Pinoy Trainers Will Get You in Shape This Quarantine

How Brandon Vera keeps it "Pretty Huge"

Vera has long been a face for Pretty Huge, Asia’s premier multi-level obstacle training facility. Instead of just watching him through a screen, fans are now hitting the course themselves to channel that same heavyweight energy. From functional fitness to mastering the art of the grind, the "Truth" mindset is all about tackling life's hurdles head-on.

Image credit: Pretty Huge Obstacles

Even though he’s officially retired from active MMA competition as of late 2022, his influence is everywhere. You’ll still catch him at ONE Championship events, likely cheering on the next generation of Pinoy fighters or popping up on your feed with that signature grin. He isn't just a former champ, he’s a full-blown local celebrity who actually walks the talk.

Featured Image credit: Pretty Huge Obstacles