FightLine.com Exclusive Interview With Brandon Vera

Longtime UFC fighter Brandon "The Truth" Vera is on deck to face Eliot Marshall at UFC 137: Penn vs. Diaz this evening at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The 34-year-old returns to the Octagon after being briefly cut by the UFC following his unanimous decision loss to a steroid-fueled Thiago Silva, given another chance in the promotion when Silva's performance enhancing drug use came to light.

Vera took some time this week to speak with FightLine about his upcoming fight, his eagerness to get back into the thick of things in the light heavyweight division, returning to his home of Norfolk, Virginia and alma mater of Old Dominion University to train for the fight and much more. Check it out below.

Mark Wayne: I heard you were back around ODU sharpening up your wrestling with coach Steve Martin and the boys, as well as training with the crew at Hybrid MMA. How important has returning to your roots been in this camp and what have you taken away from those experiences?

Brandon Vera: It's just important to get back to what first started working, that was wrestling and basic muay Thai. To get back home and training… it was a great time. It was great being back home in Norfolk and getting training in.

MW: What's your mindset heading into this weekend? Are you most concerned with just picking up the win to secure your spot back in the UFC for now, or are you looking to make a statement, maybe prove something to yourself or some of your doubters?

BV: I don't think about that kind of stuff. I think y'all worry about that more than the fighters do. I'm just going out there trying to fight, knock his a** out.

MW: You've been through a lot over recent years, with the home invasion and what must have been the most frustrating stretch of your career, but you sound like you've really come through the woods, maybe have found some perspective in regards to your MMA career. What's the biggest difference in your attitude toward fighting now than, say, two years ago?

BV: I can say I've learned more, I guess. I feel like I did when I first started fighting. I have a whole bunch of stuff to do that I never accomplished because: life. I'm looking forward to getting back on track.

MW: How will that come into play this weekend, that mindset?

BV: You'll see a lot more viciousness coming from me. You'll see what I used to look like, what I should've been looking like the whole time I was fighting.

MW: The 205lbs. division has changed pretty considerably over the past year or so, in terms of who's on top and who's fallen off. What's your take on the light heavyweight landscape right now, who's really impressing you?

BV: A lot of them, actually. A lot. I like watching Jones fight man, and I still like watching Machida fight. So, it's pretty amazing. The whole 205lbs. division is tough. Styles make matches and there are a lot of different styles in our weight class. I can't wait to get back in the mix, man. Get back on that ladder and get back up to the title.

MW: That leads into my next question actually. As far Jon Jones goes, you've said recently that, despite how your first fight went, you think you have what it takes to take out the champ. What do you think it takes to get rid of Jon Jones?