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MMA: Brandon Vera KO win caps victorious night for Pinoy fighters

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Dennis Gasgonia, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/tvpatrol/11/11/20181123-vera.jpg"/><figcaption>Victorious Brandon Vera walks away, as Italian challenger Mauro Cerilli lies on his back in defeat on Friday. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News</figcaption></figure></div>It took 2 years before Brandon Vera returned to the ONE Championship cage, but he&#x27;s as devastating as ever.Vera treated Filipino fans with a stunning knockout of wild-swinging Italian challenger Mauro Cerilli at Mall of Asia Arena on Friday to keep the world heavyweight belt.It&#x27;s as if the Filipino-American never left the MMA scene, as he didn&#x27;t show any sign of rust despite spending almost two years shooting the acclaimed movie, &quot;BuyBust.&quot;<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/11/23/18/ma-honorio-banario-triumphs-via-unanimous-decision-in-one-bout">MMA: Honorio Banario triumphs via unanimous decision in ONE bout</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/11/23/18/mma-eduard-folayang-reclaims-one-title-in-electrifying-win">MMA: Eduard Folayang reclaims ONE title in electrifying win</a></li></ul>After feeling it out with Cerilli, Vera connected on a few leg kicks. The Italian apparently expected that and attempted to catch the kicks.The visitor started advancing, swinging wildly with big punches.Vera patiently backed away, then snuck in a perfectly timed left hook that laid Cerilli flat on his back 1 minute and 4 seconds into the first round.&quot;Galing! Manila, mga kababayan miss na miss na kita (sic). Antagal na dalawang taon. Pasensya ah,&quot; Vera said addressing the appreciative crowd.Vera said he consistently did his homework picking apart Cerilli&#x27;s fighting style. That was the reason he knew when to fire his counter-left.&quot;I&#x27;ve been watching his tapes, I know he swings hard. So I&#x27;m glad I got that left hook in,&quot; he said, before again turning to the throngs of Filipino supporters . &quot;In the world of martial arts, the Philippines owns 5 world titles. Kayang-kaya ng bansa natin. Suportahan natin ang mga martial artist natin.&quot;Besides Vera and Eduard Folayang, who recaptured the world lightweight title just minutes prior to Vera&#x27;s match, other Filipinos with ONE titles include: Kevin Belingon (bantamweight), Geje Eustaquio (flyweight) and Joshua Pacio (strawweight).<div>For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.</div>

Brandon Vera has defeated Mauro Cerilli of Italy to retain the heavyweight title in the ONE: Conquest of Champions card on Friday.

Brandon Vera has defeated Mauro Cerilli of Italy to retain the heavyweight title in the ONE: Conquest of Champions card on Friday.

MMA: Brandon Vera KO win caps victorious night for Pinoy fighters

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MMA: Brandon Vera KO win caps victorious night for Pinoy fighters

Dennis Gasgonia,

ABS-CBN News

Published November 23, 2018 11:44 PM PHT

|

Updated November 24, 2018 01:02 AM PHT

Read More:

ONE Championship

mixed martial arts

MMA

Brandon Vera

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