411's Exclusive Interview: Ed Herman

Posted by Dustin James on 04.07.2008

Ed "Short Fuse" Herman takes time out of his busy schedule of climbing the UFC's Middleweight division to chat with 411's Dustin James.....

A few years back, I was just a casual MMA fan. You know, the kind that pretty much just watches the UFC PPV's and stuff. All that of course, has changed now. But back when I was just a regular UFC fan I remember one night that I will remember the rest of my life. Me and some of my buddies went out to get some "adult beverages" at a "gentle men's club" in my hometown. Well, after having a few too many of these "adult beverages" things got a little out of hand and I ended up having a run-in with one of the bouncers at this "gentlemen's club". Who was this bouncer?

I didn't think anything of it. The bouncer was a really cool dude who had a certain aura of confidence that just spelled "I can whoop your ass". Well, after things settled a bit I started talking to the bouncer for about an hour or so then headed home. Now, imagine my surprise when about a year later I turn on The Ultimate Fighter and see a red-headed guy who looks EXACTLY like the bouncer I talked to that night. THEN, the red headed guy says he's from Portland, Oregon......and I knew it had to be him. Yes, that bouncer was Ed "Short Fuse" Herman one of the top competitors in the UFC's Middleweight division and he is here to give the fans of 411mania.com a little dose of the "Short Fuse".

Join me as I sit down with Ed Herman and get in depth on the career of one of the best fighters from the Team Quest camp, who is such a great fighter he is currently training officers from the Portland Police Department.

411mania.com Exclusive Interview with Ed Herman.



411mania.com: With Kendall Grove and Jason MacDonald still under UFC contract, are you itching at all to avenge your losses to either man or are you primarily focused on the future (not the past)?

Ed Herman: I would love to get a chance to beat either one of their asses.

411mania.com: Fellow TUF 3 Finalist, and winner of the LHW division, Michael Bisping has since dropped down to 185-pounds. What are your thoughts on potentially stepping into the Octagon with the Brit and proving why he would not have done as well as a Middleweight on your season?

Herman: I said it once, and I will say it again. I was and I'am the best guy off season 3 regardless of weight class, but Mike is a bad ass and it would be a tough fight.

411mania.com: Anderson Silva seems to be the consensus "best pound-for-pound" Mixed Martial Artist in the world. He also happens to be the UFC's Middleweight champion. What is your general opinion of "The Spider"? How do you feel you would approach him if given the chance to fight for the gold?

Herman: Yes Silva is a bad man, I would definetely like some more time to prepare for Silva so I'm in no rush, there are alot of tough guys for me to fight and beat before I think I deserve a title shot, but if given the opportunity it would be hard to pass up a shot at the world title.



411mania.com: How does being a member of the famed Team Quest assist your development as a professional MMA fighter? How much importance do you put on a Mixed Martial Artist's training partners? Speaking of which, with guys like Dan Henderson, Sokoudjou, and Jason "Mayhem" Miller surrounding you, do you have a funny/entertaining story you can share in relation to training with them?

Herman: Its been great. I think having a strong team around has made me the fighter I'm today. I have trained with the best in the world my whole career. From day 1 I was training with (Randy) Couture, (Matt) Lindland, (Chael) Sonnen, (Chris) Leben, (Evan) Tanner, and (Dan) Henderson. Some of my first practices were getting beat up by those guys five years ago. Dan, Terry and Jason mostly train @ TQ (Team Quest) South in Temecula. I'm in Oregon @ TQ North with guys like Lindland, Ryan Shultz, Chael Sonnen, Matt Horwich, Chris Wilson, along with a great supporting cast of bad asses. But Dan and Terry are funny guys to be around. I dont know Jason very well.

411mania.com: Similar to Anderson Silva, you lost your professional debut via armbar (a loss you ironically avenged later in your career via the same submission technique). What was that initial experience like? In terms of your ability as a fighter, how would you compare yourself presently to yourself in 2003?

Herman: That fight was one of my last amateur fights, Sherdog needs to take that shit off. But it does feel good to avenge a loss. 2 down 3 to go! Haha. I'm ten times the fighter I was then. I had only been training for like 8 months at that time.

411mania.com: Do you have a favorite moment of your career thus far along in it? Any victory more-memorable than the others?

Herman: Ya I have a few. Of course my last win was one of the biggest of my career, (KO win over Joe Doerksen at UFC 78) and when I beat Jason Flynn. If you get a chance to watch that fight it's a great fight. Plus, my best friend died three days before the fight it was very emotional.



411mania.com: You have never been knocked out or TKO'd in nineteen professional bouts. Is your chin an underrated aspect of your overall package as a fighter?

Herman:: I think my chin is good. It's been tested by the likes of Chris Leben, and Dan Henderson on a daily basis, and its held up good so far. But you never know right, so I will continue to keep my hands up. Haha

411mania.com: You recently became the proud father of two beautiful twin girls. How has having twins changed your life? Do they provide even more fuel to the fire driving you to be the best fighter in the world?

Herman: Ya I'm stoked! A boy and a girl, so keep an eye out for little Eddie in the future! But ya, they are great. They definetly give me motivation to make it happen. Suckas better watch out.

411mania.com: Which of your fellow red-headed peeps would you most like to fight - Carrot Top, Ron Weasley (from Harry Potter), or Danny Bonaduce?

Herman: (Jason) MacDonald.

411mania.com: Thanks for your time Ed! And we look forward to seeing you move up in the UFC's middleweight division!

Herman: Thanks for the support! Along with all the great fans, and my sponsors Warrior Wear, and Condom Depot.

You can visit Ed Herman's myspace by clicking here.

And as always, you can access my myspace by clicking here.