Report: UFC parts ways with former heavyweight standout Brandon Vera

Brandon Vera's career long quest to capture the UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight championships came to a close on Wednesday, as the organization cut ties with the once rising star, according to Fox Sports.

Vera ran roughshod over his first four opponents in the UFC, including a first round starching of former heavyweight kingpin Frank Mir. 

Unfortunately for "The Truth", a long contract dispute derailed his momentum, and a shot at the championship never materialized. 

Vera lost two straight after returning from his hold-out, and dropped to light heavyweight where he would rack up a disappointing 4-4 (1 no contest) record, suffering losses to Keith Jardine, Randy Couture, Jon Jones and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.

In his final fight under the Zuffa umbrella, the Alliance MMA product lost via TKO in a heavyweight scrap with Ben Rothwell at UFC 164. Rothwell later tested positive for elevated testosterone, a development that many thought would save Vera's spot on the roster (much the same way it was saved two years earlier when Thiago Silva was popped for steroids following their fight).

The 36-year-old spent eight years in the organization, and sports a 12-7 (1 no contest) record in his MMA career.