LONDON -- ON ANY FIGHT ARENA, the crowd normally champions the underdog.
And with neither Brandon “The Truth” Vera or Fabricio Werdum claiming superiority over the other, mixed martial arts fanatics will have to opt for their pick when both fighters step into the octagon.
“You can never really predict your chances (of winning) until you meet the other guy in combat,” said Fil-Italian Vera, a sure favorite among Filipino overseas workers here.
Vera, 30, son of Filipino Ernesto Mendoza Vera, tipped the scales at 228 pounds, a weight he’s comfortable with, for his clash with Werdum today in the Ultimate Fighting Championships 85: Bedlam at the O2 Arena here.
The Vera-Werdum fight will be aired over Balls at SkyCable Sunday (9 a.m. Manila time) with replays on June 9 (9 a.m.) and 10 (3 p.m.). Studio 23 will also show the fight today after the French Open finals.
“It’s going to be tough. You cannot take somebody lightly when you know he’s coming from a loss,” said the 30-year-old Werdum through an interpreter after making the 205-265 heavyweight limit at 247.
The two-time Brazilian ju-jitsu world champion from Porto Alegre, Brazil, knows exactly what he speaks of.
After losing a unanimous decision to reigning UFC heavyweight champion and compatriot Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in July, 2006, Werdum bounced back mightily by putting Aleksander Emelianenko of Russia to submission four months later.
In April 2007, the 6-foot-4 judo brown belter absorbed another defeat by unanimous decision to Andrei Arlovski but rebounded by knocking out Brazilian Gabriel Gonzaga in the second round early this year.
Carrying an MMA record of 10 victories, three losses and a draw, Werdum’s last two fights were held on British soil while Vera, who has eights wins and a setback, will be making his debut in the United Kingdom.
Unbeaten in his first eight fights, Vera broke his left thumb and lost to American Tim Sylvia by unanimous decision in UFC 77 held in October last year in Ohio.
Vera needed surgery and therapy to repair his thumb, sidelining the former US Air Force soldier from the octagon for eight months.
“I’m clearly the underdog here since I haven’t fought for a long time,” said Vera, a 6-foot-3 fighter whose line of expertise includes wrestling, kickboxing and muay.
“But the important thing about this fight is the opportunity to get on top and a shot at the title,” added Vera.
While Vera ranks 11th-15th in the heavyweight division, Werdum is just four notches lower from Nogueira in the rankings at fifth.
The fight between seven-time welterweight champion Matt Hughes and Thiago Alves will head the cast of 13 fights in UFC85: Bedlam.
