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Martial arts have been viewed by most as either a collection of combat disciplines or an effective system of self-defense, but many overlook the fact that its primary objective is to instill the values of integrity, honor, humility, respect, courage, discipline, and compassion.
For a professional mixed martial artist like Filipino-American superstar , these core principles have played an integral role in molding who he is today both as an athlete and individual.
One of the most recognizable faces in the heavyweight division as part of the so-called “MMA Boom” during the 2000s, “The Truth” stressed that he has always lived by the code of integrity.
Photo: ONE Championship photo
“I think a man’s worth is as good as his words carry,” Vera told International Business Times sports editor and combat sports analyst Nissi Icasiano in an interview.
The significance of the said quality was something that the Norfolk, Virginia native stumbled upon at an early age through the father of his Lake Taylor High School wrestling teammate named Virgil Stevenson.
“I first heard about integrity from Mr. Stevenson. At first, I didn’t understand what he meant,” he recalled. “He gave me a bottle of coolant, so my car wouldn’t overheat. I remember he told me, ‘Brandon, I don’t need money. Just make sure that you give me a bottle back.’”
“And then he said, ‘A man’s word is worth a lot.’ That coolant was so meaningful to me. I will remember it forever. It took me a long time, but I finally got him that bottle of coolant back. That’s the first time I encountered that trait.”
Photo: ONE Championship photo
Vera’s concept of integrity became more ingrained when he enlisted himself in the United States Air Force.
“When I say something, it’s going to happen. If I say that I am going to be there at a certain time, unless something crazy happens, I will be there on time,” he shared.
At 44 years old and despite his success, it is apparent that he never forgot the key tenet from the simple-but-meaningful interaction with his friend’s father.
Though he has come a long way, Vera remains to be an active competitor in the sport, plying his trade under the ONE Championship banner since 2014.
The former ONE heavyweight champion was last seen in action when he relinquished his hold of the title to Arjan Bhullar in April 2021.
It seems that Vera has nothing more to prove inside the cage, racking up a 16-9 record with 11 wins by way of knockout and one via submission.
Photo: ONE Championship photo
However, Vera has no plans of calling it a career just yet.
“I always refer to my elders, those who retired before me. I always ask them when did they know they’re gonna retire? Their answers [are] always the same: One day you’ll wake up. You don’t want to be sore anymore, don’t want anybody gonna punch you, [and] don’t want to be kicked in the leg anymore,” he stated in his TV guesting on Power & Play.
“So when I’m gonna know? All they say is, ‘Brandon, you’ll know when you know.’”
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