Brandon Vera: ‘I want to fight at least twice this year’

On the shelf for the past eight months because of management issues, Brandon Vera is close to getting the green light to return to action, according to a recent feature on SportsNet.ca.

And he’s chomping at the bit to compete at least twice before 2007 expires to make up for lost time.

Here’s a snip from “The Truth:”

“I want to fight at least twice this year (in 2007). I’ve got to get myself back into how I was before I stopped. Man, I was on a roll, and then everything kind of came to a halt. Gotta get back into the groove.”

Vera has been mired in a legal dispute with his manager Mark Dion (he was supposedly turning down fights and offers from the UFC without even consulting his client) since his last appearance against Frank Mir at UFC 65 in November 2006.

He has one fight remaining on his current Zuffa deal and was supposed to satisfy that obligation before the end of May. However, the UFC granted him a fight extension to clear up the mess with his management.

And according to the article, it could all be resolved within the next few days.

Here’s another snip:

“… [Vera] expects to be able to talk about everything soon. He was to go to arbitration with the California State Athletic Commission before the end of the month [July]. After that he hopes not only to be able to get his career back on track, but to be able to share why things got stalled in the first place. But his hands are tied in the meantime.”

A lot has changed since Vera last fought inside the Octagon. Randy Couture has captured the title, international stars such as Mirko Cro Cop, Minotauro Nogueira and Fabricio Werdum have been brought on board, and Gabriel Gonzaga has emerged as a serious contender.

And there’s also a former champion from Belarus who has worked his way back to the top of the heap.

Put simply, there’s lots to keep Vera busy this year and well into 2008.