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MMA: Brandon Vera gets stopped, bids goodbye to MMA

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Dennis Gasgonia, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/life/12/03/20221203-mma-1-via-abs-cbn-news.jpg"/><figcaption>Brandon Vera during his heavyweight MMA match against Amir Aliakbari for ONE 164 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on December 3, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News</figcaption></figure></div>Former heavyweight champion Brandon Vera lost in his comeback fight against Iranian giant Amir Aliakbari in the main card of ONE 164: Pacio vs Brooks at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Saturday.The 45-year-old Vera, who was looking to bounce back from his title defeat to Arjan Bhullar in April 2021, went to the ground when the Iranian shot for a takedown.The Fil-American could do little to defend himself on the mat as Aliakbari rained him with heavy hammer fists.The referee stopped the fight 3:37 seconds into the first round.Vera was landing a few shots against Aliakbari early in the fight. But he used less of his leg kicks which could leave him open to Aliakbari&#x27;s takedown. After his loss, Vera announced his retirement from competitive MMA. &quot;Kababayan, ang tagal ko nang ginagawa ito (fighting). You just witnessed my final fight,&quot; said an emotional Vera, who has been transitioning to acting lately.The Fil-American veteran left his MMA gloves at the center of the cage, signifying the end of his 2-decade career.<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/life/12/03/20221203-mma-2-via-abs-cbn-news.jpg"/><figcaption>Jeremy Pacatiw during his Bantamweight MMA match against Tial Thang for ONE 164 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on December 3, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News</figcaption></figure></div>Meanwhile, Jeremy Pacatiw submitted Myanmar&#x27;s Tial Thang in an exciting barnburner of a bantamweight match.After engaging Tial in a highly entertaining but vicious slugfest, the Team Lakay fighter found an opening in the second round while their fight went to the ground.Pacatiw caught Tial in a triangle choke and never let go until the Myanmarese tapped out 1:27 seconds into the second round.His fellow Team Lakay fighter Geje Eustaquio was not as fortunate as the former flyweight king succumbed to a heavy right hand from China&#x27;s Hu Yong.Hu attacked Eustaquio with relentless pace, leaving the Filipino catching his breath.They were able to engage in a competitive grappling match and this tired Eustaquio out.The end came near the end of the first round when Hu tagged Eustaquio with a heavy right that dropped the former champion.

Former heavyweight champion Brandon Vera lost in his comeback fight against Iranian giant Amir Aliakbari in the main card of ONE 164: Pacio vs Brooks.

MMA: Brandon Vera gets stopped, bids goodbye to MMA

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MMA: Brandon Vera gets stopped, bids goodbye to MMA

Dennis Gasgonia,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 03, 2022 11:11 PM PHT

|

Updated Dec 03, 2022 11:22 PM PHT

Read More:

MMA

Brandon Vera

Amir Aliakbari

ONE 164

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