MMANews.com: Yeah, if they offer it to you after this, you'll accept it.

Brandon Vera: [laughs] Exactly.

MMANews.com: Alright, speaking of the champion - what are your thoughts on his upcoming fight with [Jeff] Monson.

Brandon Vera: Sylvia and Monson? If it stays on the feet, I see Tim winning. If it goes to the ground, I got Jeff winning. That's just how it's gonna be [laughs]. There's nobody better in the UFC to take Tim down than Jeff Monson.

MMANews.com: That's what I was gonna say next, if you thought that Monson was going to be able to get inside that long reach since there's going to be a distinct size advantage here.

Brandon Vera: Oh yeah. But it's also a disadvantage for Tim because once Jeff's inside there's no way Tim's gonna get Jeff off him. It's good at one point but bad at another point.

MMANews.com: He was able to keep Assuerio Silva away.

Brandon Vera: Assuerio wasn't moving though, he only shot twice and when he did shoot he almost took Tim down, but Tim grabbed the fence.

MMANews.com: Oh yeah, I remember that. So what's your prediction?

Brandon Vera: I don't know, I really don't know. I wanna say it's 50/50, but the only reason I'm saying that is because it's a matter of who implements their game first. If Tim keeps it on the feet, he's gonna win. Jeff gets it to the ground, game over.

MMANews.com: That was my thoughts, I just don't think Monson's gonna be able to get inside Sylvia's long reach. That long jab he throws out there, but I agree if he gets him down it's gonna be ugly.

Brandon Vera: Game over, yeah. [laughs]

MMANews.com: [laughs] Now, either guy wins - what would be your strategy for each guy if you end up fighting them next?

Brandon Vera: The same. Both of them I'd have advantages and disadvantages fighting either one of those guys. I would stick to the same game plan I'm using against Mir. I'm going to be ready for five hard rounds, or three hard rounds with Mir, and expect a tough fight. Look to counter, look to advance, look to not impose my will but put on a good show while I'm out there fighting. With Tim I would strike a little bit more on the outside, with Jeff I would strike on the inside more. I know it seems opposite, because of the style but Tim's slower and Jeff's faster so I'd like to be inside banging with Jeff and outside banging with Tim. If that makes any sense.

MMANews.com: That actually sounds like the opposite of what I thought you'd say.