Brandon Vera
Heavyweight clash likely for UFC on Fuel TV 4
UFC heavyweight James Te Huna says he has an opponent for UFC on Fuel TV 4.
The Australian fighter revealed Friday through his Twitter account that he will meet Brandon Vera in July, though a location and venue for the event have yet to be designated by the promotion.
Te Huna began his UFC career at UFC 110 in Australia in February 2010 with a victory over Igor Pokrajic, but a submission loss to Alexander Gustafsson, who meets Thiago Silva in the main event of Saturday’s UFC on Fuel TV 2 event, derailed the Aussie’s six-fight winning streak. Since the loss to the division’s current top prospect, Te Huna has had success, earning back-to-back stoppages against Ricardo Romero and Aaron Rosa.
Against Vera, Te Huna finds himself against an opponent with true name-value, though he has struggled mightily of late.
In his last contest, “The Truth” was embarrassed by the aforementioned Silva in every sense of the word. Vera found himself fighting for survival all three rounds and subsequently was released by the promotion. But a failed drug test from Silva resulted in the contender’s suspension, prompting the UFC to bring back Vera after the loss was changed to a no contest.
Vera returned to the cage at UFC 137 against Eliot Marshall, earning a much-needed unanimous decision victory that many viewed as controversial. Following the win, a rematch between Vera and Silva was on tap, but a Vera injury led to the cancellation of the rematch.
UFC on Fuel TV 4 is likely for July 14 and the heavyweight bout between Vera and Te Huna is the first fight to be rumored for the card.