Brandon Vera's Questionable Future
by Michael Rome on Oct 19, 2008 7:57 PM EDT
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Brandon Vera put in a solid performance last night against Keith Jardine, but the decision against him was valid, and he has now lost three of his last four fights, with one win coming against middling competition in Reese Andy.
People talk a lot about the "old" Brandon Vera, but I don't buy it. The old Brandon Vera never fought guys like Tim Sylvia, Fabricio Werdum, and Keith Jardine. He just has not been able to put things together against high-end talent.
This isn't to say he has no future. It's just that he is not an elite fighter right now, and would be well served to spend a few months fighting low level guys to regain his confidence and hone his skills in preparation for another run at the top.
Given his popularity in the Philippines, he will not be cut, but he needs to put some wins together in a hurry to salvage his status as a future star.
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I think you’re right. There’s no doubt that Vera is a tough fighter but as of right now he’s simply not at that top level. What really needs to be done is for this guy to get a cut in pay. The UFC awarded a main event contract to this kid before he ever one a main event caliber fight. Since when did a win against Frank Mir mean a contract of 100/100. If that’s the case then Marcio Cruz should be a wealthy man right now. Athletes are labeled prospects when they do very well against lower level competition and make the transition to legitimate contender when they prove they can beat a top level opponent. Vera has failed to do that on every occasion he’s been put in that situation. There’s no doubt he needs to have a few fights against lower level guys but the problem arises when there’s very few guys in the light heavy weight class of the UFC that could be considered lower level. Guys like Stephan Bonnar, Matt Hamill, Tim Boetsch, and James Irvin aren’t in the top 10 but could still give Vera a run for his money.
Vera is barely Top 20 at LHW
It makes sense to match him up with Sokoudjou as both are coming off losses.
Another option is to match him up against Liddell. A knockout would restore the credibility of that fight’s winner.
I think he might lose against Sok
Vera has the ability to beat him just not the aggressive…
That Jardine isn’t a superstar fighter? I think that was already established.
Its not like Vera is a terrible fighter or anything, I think he’s clearly around number 15 in the division. The issue isn’t how good Vera is as a fighter, its the expectations that people have about him, and his bloated paycheck. He’s being paid to be a top five fighter, and he isn’t.
by Michaelthebox on Oct 19, 2008 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions
I think its kind of funny how the fans are giving Vera such a hard time about his salary. He is one of the few lucky ones who has a certain appeal the UFC wants (international TV fame), so he gets a decent check, but considering the money he brings in for them, even if his star is fading in the U.S., its not like the UFC is getting took. They likely would not try to make him take a pay cut even if he continued to disappoint
Plus, his check isn’t all that bloated. He has a cash deal without any of the other incentives and bonuses built in for other fighters. Keith Jardine made far more than 14,000 last night, but most people just make direct comparisons.
Jardine keeps coming up with wins when it matters, and then blowing it when he has a chance to get to the next level.
by Michael Rome on Oct 19, 2008 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions
nearly a knockout
At the end of Round 1 Jardine was battering a fallen Vera with punches to the face until he was saved by the bell.
Very True! and I have a Question
Just b4 that Jardine was the one who had been rocked but not to the extent that he immediately rocked Vera. I thought it was going to be over until the bell rang. Then toward the beginning of round 2 i think it was that Vera slowed Jardine down with that kick/push to Jardine’s knee. Which raises my question; Had that kick/push to the knee popped Jardine’s knee badly enough to keep him from being able to stand on it does Vera win by TKO? It looked like a methodical strike to me that was strategically placed. It definitely took some power off of Jardines jab.
"Stop smiling you are about to be punched in the face !"
absolutely...
would have been a TKO due to injury.
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Oct 19, 2008 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I honestly don’t see what Jardine did that was so special. I havent watched the fight again, but I didn’t see Jardine doing too much at all, outside of the td and a few awkward strikes.
I don’t think either guy did anything that special. This was a disappointing fight from both guys. It was the most boring fight that was shown.
Neither fighter really took much of a risk at any point. They gave each other a lot of respect, which is understandable, but you have to commit to an offensive attack at some point. “Feeling each other out” for 9 minutes just doesn’t make for an entertaining match-up.
I felt like Jardine controlled the center of the Octagon for most of the fight, and that may have contributed to his getting the decision.
Jardine landed most of the shots. The first round was easily his with the takedown and the near knockout. The third round was also his as he landed most of the shots and hit a flurry towards the end.
most boring fight of the night...
can we agree on that?
compustrike is over used when analyzing most fights, but...
If there ever was a good reason to use it, it would be for this fight. I can’t wait for it to come out because I keep hearing everyone talk about how Jardine out struck Vera. Almost like they were watching a different fight. Jardine is awkward, unbalanced, and he stayed pretty busy so it might seem like he was doing something, but he wasn’t. He was missing, slapping, and flailing around. I gurantee he is in some serious pain right about now.
I told you I can't build your candy house! It will fall apart, the sun will melt the candy, it won't work!
Taylor is 1-3 in the UFC
He beat Jess Liaudin.
So did I. I knew he was 2-3 because I track UFC “3-year standings,” but I didn’t recall who else he had beaten.
by Richard Wade on Oct 20, 2008 1:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Oh how the mighty have fallen
Remember when Vera was saying he was going to be the first guy to simultaneously hold the heavyweight and LHW belts? If people had unrealistically high expectations for him, he has only himself to blame.
"It's like a flying knuckle sandwich." --Rogan
"And many men have eaten it." -- Goldy
Vera Could Not Win
We have all ignored the fact that Brandon Vera could not win this fight. Nothing he could have done could have helped him overcome Jardine and his destiny. For Jardine had done the legendary and fabled “Greg Jackson Nipple Twist” in Jardine’s case it was more of a nipple tug but nonetheless it rendered him unbeatable.
"Stop smiling you are about to be punched in the face !"
eh, they should just do for Vera what they did for Huerta – feed him some ordinary guys to build him up then they can milk him in the Philippines before using him as a launching pad for someone else.
Now, I agree with this on principle.
However, with Vera earning, what, 200k per fight and having just one fight remaining on his contract, I feel like UFC will put him against a bigger name that Jardine. If Vera loses, the UFC will have a reasonable case for reducing Vera’s contract if they re-negotiate, which I feel like they would because of his popularity in the Philippines. If Vera wins, then the UFC could not only justify renewing Vera’s contract at a similar term, but Vera would also largely erase the sentiment that has arisen about him after his three losses.
I feel like Vera v. Liddell is possible. Then again, they could always do Vera v. Alexander if they just want Vera to get a stoppage victory in spectacular fashion.
Vera will work for someone else by next year...
Unless there is no “someone” by next year. His ego is still big and he’s not a company man. He’s already asking for a pay raise before his most recent loss.
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