MANILA, Philippines – Filipino-American mixed martial artist Brandon Vera is doing his part to develop the skills of Filipino fighters by opening The Alliance MMA Gym in the Philippines.

Vera, the reigning ONE heavyweight champion, first announced his plans to open a branch of Alliance in Manila last December following his victory over Paul Cheng at ONE: Spirit of Champions.

"I'm in contract negotiations now," Vera told ABS-CBN News Monday following the launch of Sports+Action's new station ID that prominently featured the Fil-Am fighter.

"Hopefully, (we can open the gym)," this year," he added.

(READ: Brandon Vera wins heavyweight crown)

Vera first opened Alliance in Chula Vista, California, and it has gone on to become one of the most prominent MMA training camps, producing fighters including Cat Zingano, Dominick Cruz, and Alexander Gustaffson.

For Vera, opening a professional MMA gym in Manila will go a long way towards sharpening the skills of Filipino fighters, many of whom already have the talent and dedication needed to compete at the international level.

"Kayang-kaya natin sa MMA na lumaban," Vera said emphatically. "Sa timbang lang, it probably evens out the field, so kayang-kaya natin."

"I'm looking forward to opening Alliance here (because) I want to bring the skillset here to the Philippines," he explained. "'Yun ang kailangan natin. 'Yun ang kulang dito."

"Yung puso, andito na," he added. "'Yung trabaho ng athlete, andito na. 'Yung hard work, 'yung walang reklamo (na attitude), andito na. Ang kulang dito is the skillset, so that's what I hope to bring here with my coaches."

Meanwhile, Vera is also waiting on ONE Championship to announce his next fight. He won the inaugural heavyweight belt with his win over Cheng last year at the Mall of Asia Arena, and he is hoping that his next fight will be held in Manila as well.

"I'm just training, but hopefully, dito nga," he said. "I would love for my first title defense to be in the Philippines. Kailagan, ibigay ko ulit 'yun sa mga Pinoy, ibigay ko ulit sa mga kababayan natin."

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)