3 Reasons Brandon Vera Will Be The Toughest ‘Apprentice’ Guest Athlete
Things are about to get much more challenging for the remaining global candidates on Episode 5 of “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition.”
Reigning ONE Heavyweight World Champion Brandon “The Truth” Vera will drop by as a guest athlete and help “Super” Sage Northcutt challenge the teams on the next episode, which airs on AXN at 8:50 p.m. this Thursday, 15 April.
Before Episode 5 kicks off, here are three reasons why “The Truth” could be the toughest guest athlete on “The Apprentice” yet.
#1 Heavyweight Kingpin
Vera’s name has been synonymous with the ONE Heavyweight World Title, as he remains the division’s first and only World Champion since the organization inaugurated the belt in December 2015.
The Filipino-American, who holds a 25-8 (1 NC) mixed martial arts record, owns victories over Igor Subora, Paul Cheng, Hideki Sekine, and Mauro “The Hammer” Cerilli. What’s more, he knocked them all out in the first round.
His appearance on the show could possibly foreshadow what’s to come, however, as a new breed of heavyweights like Arjan “Singh” Bhullar and “Mighty Warrior” Kang Ji Won have their eyes on Vera’s strap.
#2 Military Man
Before Vera became an international mixed martial arts superstar, he served in the United States Air Force.
“The Truth” originally enrolled in Old Dominion University, but he soon felt that college wasn’t for him. After a year and a half in the university, he decided to leave school to instead enlist in the U.S. Air Force.
Growing up in Norfolk, Virginia, where the presence of the U.S. Navy is strong, it’s no surprise that Vera developed an interest in the military.
Vera was medically discharged from service in 1999 due to an injury, but he has always credited his military background with his success both in and out of the ONE Circle.
#3 Deep Wrestling Background
Vera might be known for his highlight-reel KOs courtesy of his heavy hands and lightning-fast kicks, but “The Truth” also owns a solid Greco-Roman wrestling background.
He excelled as a wrestler during his time in Lake Taylor High School, earning a four-year scholarship to wrestle at Old Dominion University.
When he left ODU to pursue a career in the air force, grappling remained a vital part of Vera’s life, and he trained with the U.S. Air Force’s wrestling team.
An injury cut his stint there short, but “The Truth” later took the experience he garnered in wrestling to build a successful mixed martial arts career.