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[H33LHooK]

I don't know for sure, but I think he would have a tough go trying to comfortably/effectively make MW- he's 6' 3" and doesn't seem to be carrying much muscle or fat fighting at 205lbs.

[notBJpenn]

Originally Posted by born2kill

Of course they compete to win and should do everything they can in terms of training and preparation. But you also have to realize that the level of competition is at an all time high now, and steadily rising. Its like imagine if you were part of the lightweight division a few years back, and were mainly concerned about BJ Penn. Now theres a CJ Penn, a DJ Penn; theres 10 axe murderers; theres Ultimate Fighter, IFL, Pride champions now; theres a slew new BJJ blackbests (mostly named thiago) coming in; etc.

Point being, its a very steep climb. And theres no shame in losing. If You can push Randy Couture like Vera did, hes a success in my book. And unless youre privey to his camp i dont think its respectful to criticize him and say his team his not good enough, just because he lost to a great fighter. Remember somebody is always going to lose. Thats the nature.

If you put Anderson vs. Machida, would you criticize the loser and tell him they need to find better training partners and evolve?? Thats messed up IMO.

I'm not saying his camp is bad, BUT if their is room to improve wouldn't you strive for it? If the camp you are with is making you a good fighter, but not helping you reach your full potential, would you consider mixing things up a little up?

Obviously someone is always going to lose, but as a competitor you want to do everything you can to make sure it ain't you who is the loser.

Not even going to address your Silva V Machida statement, as that is completely irrelevant because if something like that were to happen (which we all know it won't) it would be a completely different situation.

[fishy]

Originally Posted by born2kill

And unless youre privey to his camp i dont think its respectful to criticize him and say his team his not good enough, just because he lost to a great fighter. Remember somebody is always going to lose. Thats the nature.

If you put Anderson vs. Machida, would you criticize the loser and tell him they need to find better training partners and evolve?? Thats messed up IMO.

I don't think he was criticizing Vera's camp at all. What he's saying actually makes sense. Vera has a lot of talent but just hasn't been able to win and changing camps may be better for him. It's not so much that his team is not good enough but more the fact that he may learn different things to become a better fighter.

I still think Vera's a threat to anybody at LHW, Jones was just a really bad match-up for him, although young and green, I see him as a future champ and there's no shame in losing to him. I was just a little disappointed that Jones didn't stand with him because Vera's MT is just great to watch.

[tinkerskippy]

Vera looked small next to jones. I disagree with whoever said he should bulk up and move to HW - at the very most he should geta good strength and conditioning coach and refine his frame to help cope with the wrestlers at 205.

He's probably too big to cut to 185 and be effective there as well.

He definately seems hesitant - as much as he needs better wrestling and strength I genuinely think he could benefit from a sports counsellor or life coach to get his head right.

[lwbrewer]

I think most of us feel Vera isn't fighting to his full potential. That more of what were not happy with, IMHO

[RonPaulForPeace]

i think hes in the same boat as gonzaga, these guys got the talent to be champs but dont seem to put it together. i really think they both should go to different camps, yea their camps got them this far but dont seem to be getting them any further along towards being champs which i think they both can. i think they need to get in a camp where people own them, get them use to being dominated so they can handle it, this is more towards gonzaga, in this vera case he just needs to learn how to let it all go and not be timid, i think black house, jacksons or even att would help him put all this together.

[steve_44]

Vera's last fight with Jon jones showed JJ will take u down at will and he has heavy shots even from his knee's. I think this is because he has the longest reach in the UFC by 1.5 inches (84.5"). But vera didnt get to work his stand up game which i believe if he adjusted to JJ's length it would have been a very close fight.
Vera is still a weapon at 205, but maybe more of a gate keeper than title contender atm.