Chasing Manny: Brandon Vera mulls Senate run in 2019

• MMA fighter bared his plans after retirement
• He said he wants to retire in the country, run for senator in 2019
• His advocacy will focus on helping people in the provinces

MANILA, Philippines – The Senate may yet see another fighter in its hallowed halls after MMA fighter Brandon Vera bared a possible run in 2019 after he retires from the sport.

Vera, a UFC veteran who successfully defended his ONE heavyweight belt against Hideki Sekine on Friday at the SM Mall of Asia, said he is planning on retiring at the age of 40.

“I’ve talked to ONE, I told this when I first signed that I want to retire at 40. I’m 39, next year I will be 40, but as a fighter I don’t know when I’m going to retire. I told Victor Cui (ONE owner) that I want to make sure I’m ready to retire. Just because I turned 40 doesn’t mean I’m going to, it still depends on my mind and body,” GMA News quoted him as saying.

Vera added that he wants to become a senator and focus on helping people in the provinces.

“I have lots of dreams here in the Philippines, most of all to help people in the province. So let’s see what I can do after my fighting career. I would like to run for senator. I want to run for Senate in 2019. I want to help the people, I want to help the provinces. Nobody is looking into the provinces,” he said.

Vera is a dual citizen; having being born to a Filipino father and an Italian-American mother.

The fighter added that he draws inspiration from boxer and current Sen. Manny Pacquiao.

“It’s really nice watching Pacquiao in Senate hearings and listening to him speak because he’s not scared to say whatever he feels like saying,” he said.