I think Vera is the only up and comer I've seen recently that is extremely well rounded. He's figured out that you have to have the knockout power on your feet & the exceptional ground game to dominate in MMA. I've seen him do very well in both so he's gotta be training with the right mindset. I think he's a legitimate contender in HW & LHW. Give him a few more fights, against some top 10 guys, and he will be a real challenger to any champion.......Chuck and Fedor haven't faced anyone as well rounded as him.
Man, I had Vera pegged as the next heavyweight champ for a long time, then poof, he's gone. Now Gonzaga has thrown everything upside down, I don't know who's the top dog in HW and that's the way I like it.
I think some people seem to forget how skilled Vera really is. Good striker, great MT, good wrestler, good on the ground, has great kicks, fast. He is a good fighter and i would pick him over Mirko.