The following is part one of a very entertaining two part interview with Brandon "The Truth" Vera, top contender in the UFC heavyweight division - who fights former champion Frank Mir at UFC 65 "Bad Intentions" on November 18th. To check out part two of the interview, check out the UFC newsboard at MMANews.com again tomorrow.

Luis Cruz for MMANews.com: Luis Cruz here at MMANews.com, I'm joined with Brandon "The Truth" Vera - who will be facing Frank Mir at UFC 65 next Saturday. We're about a week and a half away, Brandon what's going on man?

Brandon Vera: Not too much, man. Just got done training, laying in the bed right now.

MMANews.com: So what have you been up to since the last time we talked back before your fight with Assuerio Silva?

Brandon Vera: Oh man, went to the Phillipinnes. Hung out there for a while. Traveled a lot. Got back into the gym and started training, getting ready for Frank Mir. Traveled up to L.A. a lot to go train at City Boxing and on the east coast too. I just been traveling a lot and training a lot.

MMANews.com: Besides City Boxing who have you been training with, did you bring in anybody special for Mir's ground game?

Brandon Vera: I went over to the east coast to train with Lloyd Irvin. We went over a whole bunch of things that Frank does - his kimura's, armbar's. We went over all the basic stuff that Frank's been tapping people with and we're working defensive and offensive game plans for it. And I actually roll with him so he's an excellent training partner/coach.

MMANews.com: Now has there been any talks about this [fight with Mir] being a number one contender match, or anything?

Brandon Vera: There's rumors. Nothing confirmed. I haven't heard anything confirmed yet, but I mean [long pause] always possibilities.

MMANews.com: The UFC officials haven't said anything themselves?

Brandon Vera: No, they haven't said anything to me yet.

MMANews.com: Now, before we really get into your fight with Mir, the last time I talked to you, you said you wanted to really elevate your game before a title shot. You said you just didn't want to win the title, you wanted to hold on to it for a while. Do you still feel the same, or do you think after a win here you'll be ready for that?

Brandon Vera: I still feel the exact same, I mean I'm not comfortable holding the title yet, I mean I still got a couple things, I still get caught in practice with a couple things that I need to work on so I definitely want to be able to hold that title for a while. Like a ten-time champion or something, not just a flash in the pan, in-and-out reign. I still got things to work on, a title shot or not I do want to fight the best guys in the world. So I guess I'll just have to take it as it comes.