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Brandon Vera steps back inside the ONE Championship cage for the first time in almost a year this Friday when he faces undefeated Japanese challenger Hideki Sekine (7-0) at ONE: Age of Domination.



For Vera, this fight in Manila at the Mall of Asia Arena, is a very proud moment for the ONE Championship heavyweight champion and he’s excited to defend his belt in a land which he calls his own.



“The Philippines is as much my home as the United States is, and I am truly blessed to be able to compete here in front of all the Filipino fans,” Vera said. “It’s an amazing country and we discover something new every day. It’s an honor to be able to headline massive ONE Championship fight cards.



“My mixed martial arts career has had its up and downs, highs and lows. But I feel that right now, I’m the best that I have ever been. I’m in my prime and I feel great. The honor and prestige of being a world champion is something that I take very seriously. I am proud to wear the ONE Heavyweight World Championship belt around my waist.”



His opponent this Friday, Sekine, has many question marks over his head having not competed since December 2014 and already 43 years of age.



Regardless, Vera hasn’t taken him lightly and says that he’s got himself into good physical condition training in California.



“Training has been phenomenal,” Vera said. “I train with the best fighters in the world at Alliance MMA and with some really top guys in the Philippines as well. I am always in shape and ready to go. I can’t wait to be inside that ONE Championship cage again.



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“My opponent is an undefeated Japanese martial arts veteran who is really strong and has a very capable ground game. I think is a good test for me to see where I am at in my career. Japanese fighters are very, very tough. I will need to come into the fight in my best condition. I don’t want to take any opponent lightly.”



The 39-year-old veteran has been working hard, but age and the strain of being a full-time mixed martial artist has started to take hold. Having fought only six times in the last five years, Vera explained his reasons, but still insisted he was game for any challenger.



“This is MMA. This is a sport that demands so much of your time -- time away from friends and family. It’s personal," Vera said. "At the end of the day, you’re in the gym and it’s just your body and your thoughts that’s driving. It takes an incredible amount of mental strength and willpower to stay at this level of the game.



“Regardless, winning the ONE Heavyweight World Championship is one of the greatest moments of my career and I am proud to represent the company as their heavyweight champion. I am open to fighting anybody, anytime, anywhere. That’s the warrior in me. I never back down from a challenge.”