Is Brandon Vera overrated...

...in today's MMA climate where he is considered sub-par by many, and a can by some even?

I think he has top-ten goods and will become a strong fighter again.

Do you hate Brandon Vera? If so, why?

I don't dislike him, but i don't think he'll ever be all that relevant.

I think on any given night he could beat guys like Forrest, Rampage, Evans and company.

He's an eight time grapplers quest champ with striking as good as anyones this side of Blackhouse.

I don't like him. His first fight at 205 vs's a straight up can, a guy who had some of the worst standup I've ever seen was a complete borefest. His fight vs Jardine was severely lacking in interesting action as well. Perhaps I've missed some of his more interesting early fights, but what I have seen has not been entertaining in the least.

He never beat an elite fighter in his entire career except Mir after he got in his motorcycle accident. Everytime he steps up in competition his loses.

He's not had that many fights against good guys. Sylvia took his share of damage and for the size disparity Vera fared pretty well, the Werdum fight was a complete early stoppage and Vera got fucked bad there, and the Jardine fight was really close too. He's never been entirely out classed.

He's no worse than most of the other guys at 205.

Wolfgangsta wrote:

He's not had that many fights against good guys. Sylvia took his share of damage and for the size disparity Vera fared pretty well, the Werdum fight was a complete early stoppage and Vera got fucked bad there, and the Jardine fight was really close too. He's never been entirely out classed.

He's no worse than most of the other guys at 205.

That's kind of my point. He never beat anyone good and is constantly referred to like he is a elite fighter. I think he really needs to prove himself before he is held to that standard.

The UFC designed Unleashed shows around him to promote him as the next big thing and he let them down big time.

I just don't believe the hype.

I think that unleashed was maybe the worst thing that happened to his career.

I think even in 06 if he'd been given a shot against Liddell he would have KO'd the Iceman.

Vera has the tools but hasn't performed. If you want too be great or elite than you need too beat great or elite fighters.

He seems like a dbag, but he got some skills. He's good and I can see him upset a big name, but overall he's not consistant and will always be a gatekeeper to the top 10.

Wolfgangsta wrote:

I think even in 06 if he'd been given a shot against Liddell he would have KO'd the Iceman.

Easy I hope u mean 08 lol. In 06 Ice Man was still running things. Vera wouldnt have beaten him.

Stylistically Vera would have been Liddell's night mare. Liddell beat few strikers late in his career and made victimizing wrestlers and bjj players his bread and butter.

I want to see Frank get some get back for that fight though. Mir has improved a lot since then.

Vera has had quite a few bad outings, but as far as potential and talent, he really could be a top 10 fighter. I agree with Wolf that on any given night he can beat the top guys, he just has to find that place mentally to get it done. Really good kickboxing, 8 time grapplers quest champ, and he has had a lot of greco training at the olympic training center. The guy is the total package, but needs to get his head right so he can execute in the big moments.

he needs to get that killer instinct back and he will be a force at 205 all day long. as far a hw goes I dont see him moving back up to get beat down by a 240-280 lb beast.

There is no way in hell Vera is going to beat a top 5 fighter at 205 when you consider how he has looked recently. He's beaten Mike Patt and Reese Andy at 205...wow...and he hasn't even looked that great doing it. Yeah, ok, he kicked the living shit out of Patt's legs but so could damn near any fighter that was mobile and had a decent leg kick.

overrated.

He used to be overrated and now he's underrated.