It has been a long journey to the spotlight, but former The Ultimate Fighter competitor Ed Herman seems to be better than ever after an impressive submission victory over Clifford Starks at UFC 143.
Herman’s submission victory was his third win in the Octagon since suffering a string of injuries including two torn ACLs. These are the kind of injuries that can end a fighter’s career, but, for Ed Herman, it has just been a mere bump in the road.
“In a way [the time off] was good. You can look back on the mistakes you made and just appreciate what you had. Sometimes you don’t realize that until you almost lose it,” Herman told members of the media after the event. “It took a few shots to get me moving, but I felt good.”
Taking a few shots would be somewhat of an understatement as Herman’s left eye was almost completely swollen shut during the fight and had only gotten worse by the time the media asked their questions.
“It’s not too bad, it’s just a little swollen, I think,” Herman said. “I took about five big right hands, but luckily I don’t cut very easily, so it’s just swollen.”
Herman continued to move forward in the fight despite taking some serious damage early in the first round. That intensity has become a trademark of “Short Fuse,” who later caught his less-experienced opponent with a trip that he used to secure a rear-naked choke.
When asked who he wanted to fight next, Herman didn’t even have to think.
“Anderson Silva, he’s the champ,” he responded without hesitation, also adding that he would gladly accept a fight against another top contender in Michael Bisping.
The final decision will be up to matchmaker Joe Silva, but Ed Herman is officially back and looking to take on all comers.
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