Brandon Vera's Integrity Drives Him To Greatness

ONE Championship’s athletes all have one thing in common – they live by martial arts values of integrity, honor, humility, respect, courage, discipline, and compassion.

ONE Heavyweight World Champion Brandon “The Truth” Vera is no exception.

He inspires millions of fans in the Philippines and around the world with his approach to life and his performances in the ring.

His warrior’s code has also played a pivotal factor in shaping his character as an athlete, and as a man, since he first stepped onto the mats.

The 41-year-old values integrity most of all, and it is something he learned about at an early age through the father of a high schol wrestling teammate, Virgil Stevenson.

“I think a man’s worth is as good as his words carry,” says Vera.

“I first heard about integrity from Mr. Stevenson. At first, I didn’t understand what he meant.

“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.”

Vera took that lesson with him through his life, and it became more ingrained in him when he enlisted in the United States Air Force.

It continued to resonate when he began his life as a professional martial artist.

By sticking to his personal code of conduct, he has excelled in the cage and become an inspiration to people from all walks of life.

“Integrity is a value, like persistence, courage, and intelligence. It is your choice of values and resolution to live by those values that form your character and personality, and it is integrity that enhances all your other values,” Vera adds.

“The quality of person you are is determined by how well you live up to the values that are most important to you. Integrity is the quality that locks in your values and causes you to live consistent with them.

“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.”

For the past two years, Vera has not defended his World Title in the world’s largest martial arts organization, instead, turning his attention to acting.

He has taken the same approach to working in that field as any other – dedicating himself to his craft, working hard, and giving a full account of himself.

Now, however, with a new challenger for his belt, he has answered the call to come back to the cage.

Vera is set to defend the ONE Heavyweight World Championship against Mauro “The Hammer” Cerilli in the main event of ONE: CONQUEST OF CHAMPIONS, which takes place at the Mall Of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.

Because of his absence from competition, and the dangerous opponent he will face, “The Truth” has had to answer many questions ahead of this match-up about whether he is up to the task.

However, because of his commitment to his principles, and knowledge he would always return to action, he says he has never let his training slip as he has waited on the sidelines.

Furthermore, this Friday, 23 November, he feels a duty to represent the people of the Philippines and make them proud because of the adoration they have shown him.

“I owe the Philippines a lot for inspiring me to work harder than I ever have before,” he says.

“Am I ready after spending two years away from the cage? Hell yes.”