Brandon Vera returns to heavyweight against Ben Rothwell at UFC 164

B. Vera (photo) returns to fight since losing to Shogun last year. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC

Standing still since his defeat to the Brazilian Mauritius Shogun at UFC on FOX 4, in August last year, Brandon Vera returns to the octagon at UFC 164 in a different category. After five years, the Filipino-American returns to fight in the heavyweight division, against Ben Rothwell.

After a great start in Ultimate, with four consecutive victories in the 120 kg category, Vera suffered two consecutive defeats and moved down to light heavyweight in 2008. In the new division, the athlete had an irregular passage – with four wins, four defeats and a fight without result (originally a defeat reversed after the opponent's doping). In his career, his record is 12-6 (1).

His opponent, Ben Rothwell, is an MMA veteran. The American has a record of 32 wins and nine defeats throughout his career. In his last appearance in Ultimate, Rothwell was defeated by Brazilian Gabriel Gonazaga “Napão” in the UFC Sao Paulo, in January of this year.

UFC 164, the stage for the fight between Vera and Rothwell, takes place on August 31st, at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee (USA). It is expected that the Dutch alistair overeem be part of the night's card. The main fight of the night, however, has not yet been announced by the organization.