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Vera Staying With UFC?

Mar 27, 2007 3:38 PM John Chandler

Various rumors and reports have been floating around for the past few months concerning Brandon Vera’s status with the UFC. Vera was originally supposed to be given a title shot against Tim Sylvia at UFC 68. However Vera’s contract with the UFC only had one fight left on it and Dana White wasn’t about to set up a championship bout between his current title holder and a fighter that wasn’t locked up for multiple fights. To put it simply, he’s learned from the past…

The UFC and Vera tried to negotiate a new deal multiple times but talks never went anywhere since Vera apparently thought that he deserved more money. Reports surfaced stating that the the UFC and Elite XC both offered Vera upwards of $200,000 to $1 million per fight but were never confirmed by either side. Now the news coming to light is letting us know what is really going on.

Here is what we know:

Both Brandon Vera and Dean Lister are no longer associated with the City Boxing gym in San Diego, California. City Boxing founder Rob Kaman was also Vera’s manager and handled Vera’s contract including fielding offers from any organizations that wanted to sign him. A few other fighters/trainers/officials who helped out at the gym have also left in disgust over what has happened

Well what happened? Apparently Kaman turned down multiple counter offers from the UFC concerning a new multi-fight contract for Vera without even informing him that he was doing so. Vera eventually found out and left City Boxing, leaving his partnership as part-owner of the gym behind as well.

What makes this even more interesting is that Vera himself posted earlier this afternoon on Sherdog that he is currently in negotiations with the UFC on a contract extension. He is also finding a new manager for himself through the California State Athletic Commission. Vera stated that he has left City Boxing and will be fighting in the UFC very soon.

Brandon Vera • Dean Lister • Elite Xtreme Combat • UFC • Heavyweight

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Comments:

1. Lupuri
from South Jersey
Mar 28, 2007 7:32 PM

At 8-0, with no real heavy competition as of yet (Mir is just an image of his former self) I dont know why anyone would take the gamble. Then again the HW division is so thing right now…

2. Alvin
from NYC
Mar 29, 2007 1:28 AM

I don’t believe Rob Kaman was Brandon’s manager. The owner of City Boxing and Brandon’s ex-manager is a guy named Mark Dion.
From what I’ve read - I don’t know first hand - Rob teaches at Legends in LA.

3. Bill Reger
from New York
Mar 29, 2007 1:26 PM

Loretta Hunt of the Fight Network has confirmed that Vera has received an extension to his contract and will be signing a new contract with the UFC in the near future.

4. Lupuri
from South Jersey
Mar 29, 2007 1:51 PM

Yea, Vera has committed to the UFC after his final fight vs. Jake O’Brien.

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