Brandon Vera says 'I'm still 'that guy' ready for a 3-round dogfight UFC on Versus: Vera vs....

Brandon Vera says 'I'm still 'that guy' ready for a 3-round dogfight

UFC on Versus: Vera vs. Jones coverage [vs. Jon Jones]

almost 2 years ago Nick Thomas 27 comments 0 recs |

Comments

I’m glad Vera says he’s done playing games. Jon Jones never played around in the first place.

Excellent matchup. I am curious to see how Jones’ standup has progressed working with Phil Nurse and Zahabi, and if he can take Vera down with any regularity (maybe with another throw).

by Hardcharger on Feb 25, 2010 12:47 PM EST reply actions

how many times have we been promised a "return to the old" vera now?

by woooburn on Feb 25, 2010 12:54 PM EST reply actions

does anyone still think the ‘old vera’ was a world beater?

by rask4p on Feb 25, 2010 12:57 PM EST up reply actions

This is the 6th or 7th time I think. =)

by Nick Thomas on Feb 25, 2010 12:58 PM EST up reply actions

That’s the problem… He’s still “that same guy”. That same guy was never tested and as soon as he was he couldnt overcome a single one.

Sylvia, werdum, Jardine, Couture.

Every fight he should have won but lost. Fixing mental issues is the most difficult aspect in athletic competition.

Beating cans and losing to every single test doesnt mean You’re 2 different people… it means you were never that good then and you’re not that good now.

by mmalogic on Feb 25, 2010 1:21 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Agreed. I don’t get how people can still buy into this guy. What has he proved? Who has he beaten to make anyone believe that he can live up to his so called potential?

Vera is a tough fight for anyone but he’ll never be the world beater people once thought he could be, and if he loses to Jones, the UFC is going to be forced to put Vera and that big contract of his on the prelims.

by Worldisart on Feb 25, 2010 1:27 PM EST up reply actions

yeah, i think the hype around him back then...

…was more a case of a lack of depth or prospect at heavyweight, than anything. granted, he was finishing guys quickly, but they weren’t on the level of the guys currently dominating the division today.

by woooburn on Feb 25, 2010 1:51 PM EST up reply actions

The guys Vera dominated were on about the same level as the guys Jones is currently dominating. It will be interesting to see how the 2009 Wunderkind does when facing off with the 2005 model.

by Steve4192 on Feb 25, 2010 2:42 PM EST up reply actions

excellent point.

by woooburn on Feb 25, 2010 3:02 PM EST up reply actions

That’s the problem… He’s still "that same guy". That same guy was never tested and as soon as he was he couldnt overcome a single one.

But at least he has been tested.

Vera looked every bit as awesome as Jones early in his UFC career. Now we get to find out if Bones can break through to the next level or whether he will struggle against top flight competition just like Vera has.

by Steve4192 on Feb 25, 2010 2:41 PM EST up reply actions

Well in fairness he did beat Mir. Had the world`s worst gameplanning (except maybe Nate Marquardt) against Couture though.

by TLow on Feb 25, 2010 4:20 PM EST up reply actions

This is why fighters get mad at MMA media, the write things out of context all the time.

by coleko on Feb 25, 2010 1:34 PM EST reply actions

vera’s got a hell of a highlight reel

by phantasma475 on Feb 25, 2010 1:47 PM EST reply actions

Jones will smash Vera. Quickly.

certified warlord

by kenpoboy67 on Feb 25, 2010 2:03 PM EST reply actions

Any news

if there is going to be a way for people who do not get Versus to watch this?

by cr0wat on Feb 25, 2010 2:14 PM EST reply actions

Ok one thing i do know, is wrestling.

And Jones will not be able to take down Vera. He was training to be an Olympic alternate. Do you remember How hard a time Randy had with him? Struggles bro struggles

by Pain on Feb 25, 2010 2:15 PM EST reply actions

Yea Vera has every tool.

Striking to match up with anyone
Wrestling to match up with anyone
Jits to match up with anyone

Heart of a pussywillow LOL

by p123 on Feb 25, 2010 2:16 PM EST up reply actions

You know Jones won’t be able to take Vera down for certain? How?

What were Vera’s wrestling credentials anyway? When was he last competitive as a wrestler? He tried to wrestle NCAA at Old Dominion, and washed out. We know he trained some at the OTC.

Jon Jones was a JUCO national champ more recently, and would be on scholarship at #2 ranked Iowa St had he not taken up MMA. He was a very highly sought out prospect in NCAA wrestling. He completely tooled Hamill in wrestling, and Hamill has proven to be a bull of a wrestler in MMA (more than Vera has, certainly).

Don’t be surprised if Jones dominated Vera in the wrestling department, and with GNP after that.

by Hardcharger on Feb 25, 2010 2:32 PM EST up reply actions

Vera has been very overrated for his past. He’s underrated for what he is now. He is an excellent excellent top notch fighter.

However his whole problem is his killer instinct. He has none. Vera + Killer Instinct equals easily top 10 probably top5.

But hey vera is a doosh I hope Jones wrecks him.

by p123 on Feb 25, 2010 2:15 PM EST reply actions

All in a day's work

Give him his check!

by phillyhoosfan on Feb 25, 2010 2:19 PM EST reply actions

I got Vera cuz I think Jones won't be able to finish Vera

and will possibly gas towards the end. Bonnar came back strong in his fight after being ragdolled around, and tho Jones has looked better, I think Vera ‘s length can negate some of Jon’s creativity.

I'm like PacMan fightin you silly kids... throw ya Hatton the ring, and get knocked outlike Ricky did.
lol.

by Loot on Feb 25, 2010 3:02 PM EST reply actions

Maybe I’m just a Jones homer, but I envision we’ll see a version of Jon Jones that is far, far superior to the one who fought Bonnar over a year ago. And that goes beyond just technical improvements (elite camps, trainers, and training partners now) to cardio.

No disrespect to Vera or K-Sos, but if Vera couldn’t finish K-Sos (who took the fight on short notice), I also don’t see him finishing Jones in all likelihood.

by Hardcharger on Feb 25, 2010 3:10 PM EST up reply actions

i agree with you...

and I think Jones is the future, I just don’t think this is the best match for him. He tosses guys around and uses creative striking with his length, and he’s fighting a guy with solid muy thai, and pretty good greco skills himself, who doesn’t get finished. I’m not saying Brandon comes out and wrecks Jon, but I think Jon will get sloppy during some spots, or his creativity will leave some holes that Brandon can capitalize on…

In all reality it might be a bit of the fan in me, but I think Brandon has a good chance of being the winner at the end of this one…. tho I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if Jones won.

I'm like PacMan fightin you silly kids... throw ya Hatton the ring, and get knocked outlike Ricky did.
lol.

by Loot on Feb 25, 2010 3:16 PM EST up reply actions

Good analysis. Man, this is a great fight. And it’s free. The winner here will really earn himself a huge amount of credibility, and will be right in the mix at LHW.

by Hardcharger on Feb 25, 2010 3:28 PM EST up reply actions