Brandon Vera Leaves UFC After Nearly 9 Years with Promotion

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Brandon Vera is no longer an employee of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Sherdog.com confirmed with a promotion official on Wednesday that Vera is no longer under UFC contract. Fox Sports initially reported the news. Vera’s next destination is currently unclear.

Vera was last seen at UFC 164, where he was stopped in the third round by Ben Rothwell in a heavyweight bout. “The Truth” exits the Las Vegas-based promotion having won just once in his last six Octagon appearances.

The 36-year-old Alliance MMA representative began his UFC career as a heavily hyped heavyweight prospect, finishing each of his first four opponents – including former champion Frank Mir – within two rounds. After back-to-back losses to Tim Sylvia and Fabricio Werdum, Vera elected to drop to light heavyweight.

Results were mixed at 205 pounds, as Vera came up short to notable names such as Jon Jones, Randy Couture, Mauricio Rua and Keith Jardine. His last victory came in November 2011, when he took a unanimous verdict over Eliot Marshall at UFC 137. Overall, Vera posted an 8-7 mark in the Octagon.