Heath Herring To Take Time Off To Refocus
Posted by Larry Csonka on 07.01.2009
The Texas Crazy Horse needs time…
For the first time in his career, Heath Herring had to pull out of a fight at UFC 99. Herring was a guest on MMA Junkie Radio today and commented on pulling out of the fight.
"That was the first time I've ever had to pull out of a fight before, and it was pretty tough. It didn't sit too well with me."
Herring fell ill in the month leading up to the fight, and had to withdraw as he lost 15lbs due to illness. Herring explained…
"Because of my asthma, anything I get in my lungs, obviously, is aggravated. I couldn't take these cortisone inhalers that clear everything up because it would make me test positive. So it was kind of a vicious cycle, so to speak. I was stuck in my bed for about two or three weeks right before the fight. So you're stressing out anyway, then I talked to the doctors and they were like, 'There's no way.' We had to pull out."
Herring now plans to take some time off and refocus, but he did comment on being back in time for UFC 103, which will be less than 100 miles from his home…
"I don't know. That's the big thing. We've got to definitely set up camp if that's going to happen. We'll see. I've been doing this for so long, 13 years, and having to pull out of that fight, I just need to get my head cleared and get everything set back up the way it needs to go before I jump in and do something stupid."
He hasn't fought since last August... hasn't he had enough time off?
Shame he had to pull out - he would have been a much better fight for Cain.
Posted By: cyks (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 02:03 AM
I have to say it's been more than frusterating being a fan of Heath since his early Pride days. It seems he lost that killer instinct long ago that made him such a fan favorite for destroying Mark Kerr & Tom Erickson. The losses in the UFC to Jake O'Brien & Big Nog were embarassing. Jake because Heath bitched and moaned every time he got wrestled to the ground. Your fighting a 1 dimensional wrestler. What the fuck did you think he was going to try and do?? Big Nog because you nearly decapitate the man and have him semi-unconcious, yet you choose to stand up and let him recover? I used to think it was his old team Golden Glory that was holding him back from reaching his potential, but now he trains with Extreme Couture. Maybe he's just stupid? He's lost to Brock & Nog. He trains with Mir & Randy, Arlovski & Big Tim are gone and he has already faced Kongo. That pretty much leaves a loser leaves town match with Gonzaga, or becoming the stepping stone/gatekeeper to up and comers like Cain Velazquez or Shane Carwin (which they tried). I'd say he's one more loss from getting his pinkslip and it's back to Japan. Sad & frustrating.
Posted By: Bruno (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 02:16 AM
Well, he pulled out of UFC 99. They can't just throw him on the next card. The man needs time to train. A bout at UFC 103 would be ideal.
Posted By: Matt Young (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 04:24 AM
i wonder how much mental/psychological damage that lost to lesnar did to him... lol.. we all kno leading UP to the fight. he thought he didnt have to fight and was out of lesnars league... makes him think now probably.. "im never going to be Heavyweight champion" =*(
Posted By: wylun (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 04:34 AM
Probably saved himself from another ass whipping.
Posted By: paco smith (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 06:53 AM
i guess he should retire from mma and do movies...never back down was one brilliant piece of cinema.
Posted By: Guest#8144 (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 07:48 AM
If you could fight within a year of the meat-grinder beating that Lesnar put on him then you'd be a MAN. I suspect that the damage psychologically was worse than the broken face and ribs and the solid bruise from the top of his head all the way down to the tips of his stinky little toes.
Posted By: King Durin (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 07:57 AM
Lesnar punching his face off and making him do a somersault is the reason he is a bitch. who has asthma now a days anyway. Whats next small pox?
Posted By: Guest#2275 (Guest) on July 01, 2009 at 09:59 AM
gotta agree w/ Bruno,been a Heath fan for years but he never reached the potential he showed a few years ago. Herring/Nog I is still one of my all time faves, he should have finished him in the 3rd fight.
Posted By: Guest#3759 (Guest) on July 02, 2009 at 12:48 PM
