"I'm on the undercard, but I guarantee they're going to show my fight because it's going to be exciting," stated UFC middleweight contender Ed Herman as he talked about his upcoming clash with Demian Maia at UFC 83. Check out what he had to say about the fight, his future plans and much more.
PC: It's been a long time since we had you on FightHype man. Congrats on your first knockout at UFC 78.
EH: Thanks; thanks!
PC: How do you feel about your performance against Doerksen?
EH: I was very happy with my performance. I made a few little mistakes that caused me a little bit of trouble, but besides that, I was pretty damn happy.
PC: You were almost caught in a triangle. Were you close to going out?
EH: It was pretty deep. I don't think I was that close to going out, but it was definitely tight for a minute there.
PC: As soon as you found out that Terrell couldn't go, did you ask for your rematch with Doerksen or was it a name that came up and you jumped on it?
EH: That's just a name that they came up with and I jumped on it.
PC: I see you're on the UFC 83 card in Canada. We don't get to see you fight in the States much anymore. How do you feel about all of these fights being out of the country and does it affect your training?
EH: It doesn't really conflict with my training. It's kind of cool to go out and see the world, but at the same time, it's kind of a pain in the butt to be traveling so far. None of my friends and family could make it out to those shows because they're so far.
PC: You will be fighting Demian Maia at UFC 83. He's another submission artist. What do you think of him as a fighter?
EH: He's a world-class Jiu-Jitsu guy and submission grappling guy so he's dangerous. I definitely respect his game, but at the same time, I'm going to bring it, take it to him and finish him.
PC: You're one of the most improved fighters in the UFC. You've been on a roll since the Macdonald fight. Is it something you're doing different or did you basically just refocus yourself?
EH: I think it was just more of a refocus. I've been more mentally prepared going into my fights. I think maybe I let my nerves get to me a little bit in that Macdonald fight. It's just a refocus and I'm training hard and things have just been going right, you know?
PC: Definitely! You didn't seem to mind standing with Doerksen. Who had you been working your hands with and was that the reason for the extra confidence in your standup?
EH: I've been working my hands for a long time. I just haven't had the opportunity to let them go. I've been working them a lot with my coach, Robert Follis, who's been with me since day one and we've got a new boxing coach, Clayton Hires, and he's an old school guy. He's been around and worked with guys like Marvin Hagler and guys like that so it's definitely nice having him around.
PC: I think that was the most complete you've looked as a fighter. You were throwing some nice standing elbows and knees to the body on the ground. Do you feel like you're coming into your own as a fighter?
EH: Yeah, for sure man. It's nice to show everybody that I'm well-rounded and perform well and feel good about it.
PC: You do what you do very well, but how bad have you been wanting to knock somebody out and do it in such dramatic fashion being that he had just had that triangle on you a minute prior to that?
EH: It's been a long time coming. I knew it would come eventually so I wasn't that worried about it, but it was definitely nice to get that knockout standing. I was pretty stoked.
PC: A lot of people, including myself, have been looking forward to the Grove rematch. Kendall is on a 2-fight losing streak. Is there something you think he could do differently to change the outcome of his recent fights?
EH: I don't know man. He's just been getting caught looks like. I didn't see his fight against Rivera, but I hear he's just been getting caught. It's kind of sad. I wish he would win a couple of fights so they could hype us up for a rematch. I still would love to fight him again. I wish him the best too at the same time so hopefully he could get together and get back on a winning streak.
PC: What are your goals for this year Ed?
EH: My goals are to just win and go 3-0 or 4-0 this year. I want to keep the winning streak alive and you know I just had new born twins on January 15th so that's one of my goals I guess, to spend time with them and raise them healthy and have some good stuff going on.
PC: Congrats on that Ed. Are they twin boys or girls?
EH: A boy and a girl.
PC: You got the best of both worlds. Would you encourage your son to be a fighter?
EH: I think I'm going to get him in golf or something where he makes more money. I'll get him into sports I'm sure and he'll learn martial arts and if it's something he wants to pursue, that's great. It's a rough job though at the same time so it's hard to say man.
PC: UFC 83 will be the first card to land in Canada. They have the big rematch on there. How does it feel to be a part of history by fighting on this card?
EH: I'm excited, but at the same time, I'm bummed that I'm on the undercard as of now. That's happened before, but after I lay down an ass whoopin', they'll show my fight and that's what I plan on doing this time. I'm on the undercard, but I guarantee they're going to show my fight because it's going to be exciting.
PC: I appreciate it as always Ed. Thanks for the call. Good luck in Canada man. Is there anything you want to say in closing?
EH: I just want to thank you and all of the fans for supporting me. I have to give Condom Depot some props and everybody else.
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