Brandon Vera hints at possible retirement if he fails to finish Amir Aliakbari

Brandon Vera was once the undisputed ONE heavyweight world champion and he believes that he must maintain a certain level of competitiveness if he wants to continue fighting.

At ONE 164, ‘The Truth’ will face dangerous Iranian wrestler Amir Aliakbari in a heavyweight MMA matchup. This marks Vera’s return to action since losing his world title to Arjan Bhullar in 2021 – his first taste of defeat in the ONE heavyweight ranks.

However, it came after losing his bid to claim the ONE light heavyweight world title from Aung La N Sang in 2020. To date, the 45-year-old Filipino-American has never lost three in a row, and he plans to keep it that way on December 3.

Speaking to The MMA Super Fan, Brandon Vera said:

“I’ve never ever had a three-fight losing streak in my career, never, ever, ever. That being said, I finish Aliakbari, I’ll ask him [Chatri] for a title shot and anything other than a finish for myself I could be leaving my gloves in the center of that circle.”

While there are no world titles on the line in this matchup, it certainly carries high stakes as it could be the end of an era if things don’t go Brandon Vera’s way. Even if he snaps his two-fight losing streak, it won’t be enough for Vera as he says it will be a knockout or nothing at ONE 164.

Watch the full interview here:

Brandon Vera wants to lay it out on the line at ONE 164

Through four wins in ONE Championship, Brandon Vera produced a highlight-reel finish every single time. It’s no question that he puts on a show for the fans whenever he steps into the circle.

Still undefeated while competing in the Philippines, ‘The Truth’ wants nothing more than to keep that streak alive against Amir Aliakbari at ONE 164.

Of course, it will be easier said than done. Aliakbari is 11-3 in his professional MMA career and just claimed his first promotional victory at ONE on Prime Video 1. He will be highly motivated to back up his brash callout to Vera when he first arrived in the promotion back in 2021.

In the same interview with The MMA Superfan, Brandon Vera said that he has worked on his strength and conditioning in order to be sharper than he was in his last outing.

“This is why strength and conditioning came as such an important factor, right after. We’re going hard in the paint. We’re one of the Spartans. I’m gonna be buried on my shield or carried back home with it. That’s how it is.”

When he steps into the circle, the Filipino-American warrior said he plans to go all-out or die trying.