There are a lot of challenges waiting for reigning ONE Heavyweight World Champion Brandon “The Truth” Vera inside the ONE Championship Circle.
But all of those can wait as he focuses on his son, Atreyu.
On July 22, Vera’s wife, Jessica, gave birth to a healthy boy, and since then “The Truth” has been spending time with his family in Guam.
“I honestly re-realize I’m a father every day I open my eyes and see him,” Vera said.
“Being a father is not only a very important path in life – it’s a very serious one for me where my teachings and actions will and can help mold Atreyu into a person to help this world.”
The 42-year-old is known as one of the baddest men in mixed martial arts, but the moment his son came out, the usually stone-cold longtime heavyweight king was overcome with emotion.
“I can’t describe how Atreyu was born just like I can’t describe what it’s like to win in the ONE circle. It’s two peas in the same pod – no words would ever do that justice,” he said.
“There was one moment when Atreyu first came out. I was in such joy that I threw my arms up in the air and looked straight up at the ceiling and started crying and smiling thinking, ‘Wow, this is what everyone talks about.’”
Some people might think Vera’s priorities have shifted now that he’s a father, but that’s not the case.
Since he started competing nearly two decades ago, Vera’s priority has always been his family, and in a sense, he has been waiting for these responsibilities to come for a long time.
“Everybody keeps saying priorities change. I am not of that same mindset. Family has always been number one,” Vera said.
“I have been waiting for a long time to change pampers, feed the baby, and train with my child in the gym with me,” he added. ”All plans are still the same. We’re the World Champ, We act accordingly and we keep our title until we decide it is time for the next step.”
And if those who are planning to challenge Vera for his belt expect him to be a pushover because of his new responsibilities – they are in for a rude awakening.
“This hasn’t impacted my career in the slightest. It is easier to wake up,” Vera said.
“I feel more motivated. I get tired less. I don’t know how and why, but that happened.”
In the meantime, ONE Championship returns to action with ONE: NO SURRENDER II on August 14 and ONE: NO SURRENDER III on August 21 as The Home Of Martial Arts rolls out its series of live events in the new normal.
Watch the event live on One Sports or One Sports+ at 8:30 p.m. Philippine Standard Time (PHT). Also, TV5 will air the event on a next-day delay at 11 p.m. PHT.