UFC sponsor Toyo Tires announced today that it has signed UFC vet Brandon “The Truth” Vera to a sponsorship deal. The deal includes wearing the Toyo Tires logo on his fight shorts at UFC 137 as well as out of octagon appearances.
Via Toyo Tires press release:
A member of Team Lloyd Irvin/ Alliance MMA, the 33-year old, 6-foot 3-inch Vera currently fights in the 205 lb. weight class. His fighting style includes Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Greco-Roman wrestling. He is a two-time Pan-American Champion with an Olympic Training background, and served in the United States Air Force. Vera will wear the Toyo Tires® logo on his fighting shorts while also promoting the Toyo Tires brand through appearances and additional marketing efforts.
Payout Perspective:
This is an interesting announcement considering Vera is not slated to appear on the main card of the UFC PPV. The only exposure Toyo Tires will receive will be from the Facebook viewers that watch his fight online. Vera’s UFC career was saved only due to Thiago Silva failing his post-fight drug test. Otherwise, his last two fights have been disappointing. Still, Vera is a popular figure based on his personality and is big in the Southern California area.
They probably were able to get Vera on the cheap and figured “what the hey?”