Ed Herman interview
What are your thoughts with Louiseau?
I’ve always been a fan of his style. When he fights he brings it. He comes to fight and so do I. It should be a fun fight. I want to prove to people that I belong up there with the top guys. I’ve made some mistakes in my last few fights. Mostly gameplan mistakes, you know?
Are you still with Team Quest?
Yes, I’m up here in Portland Oregon getting ready. I have at least 12 weeks still and that’s a lot of time. I’m fighting in April in Montreal.
What are your thoughts on the Alan Belcher fight?
I was having too muh fun standing with him. I went of my gameplan. I wanted to knock him out. I should’ve used my wrestling, submissions and my takedowns. I could’ve secured the fight. I could’ve finished him or won the decision. My coaches were pissed at me. I could’ve done that. Shit happens. I just have to look to improve. I’m lookng forward to the next fight.
I thought you should’ve won the decision?
Well, I thought I did too but that’s what I get for leaving it up to the judges. I was pissed about that but I have to move on get ready for the next one.
Did you talk to Dana about a rematch?
No, I’m sure he knows. He knows me. I’d love a rematch with Belcher. I was hoping they’d do it right away but he’s got a tough fight with Kang coming up. There are a few rematches I’d like. I’d like to rematch McDonald, Kendall, Maia. I feel I was in all those fights.
Maia, he’s tough on the ground.
Yeah, he’s the man. When you lose to someone you want to see them do well and kick some ass. I feel all the guys I have lost to are really tough. I still feel like I’m up there at the top. But I need some wins to be in the Top 10.
How sweet was it to knockout Joe Doerkson?
It was fun. It was cool to get the knockout since he beat me a few years back.
Against Scott Smith you showed you can be deadly on the ground.
Yeah, if I could put it all together, wrestling, submissions, and standup. I could be a force to reckoned with.
How disappointing was the loss to Jason McDonald? He was an unknown at the time.
It was totally disappointing to me. He wasn’t an unknown to me. I know who he is. I made a mistake and he caught me. It’s disappointing. I’d love to fight him again. It would be a different fight that’s for sure.
You had a lot of big wins before you were on The Ultimate Fighter. Were the wins over Dave Menne and Nick Thompson what got you on the show?
I had been moving my way up and the UFC gave me the choice of a contract or a spot on the show and I chose the show becase I thought it was a good oportunity for endorsements and a good jumopstart on your career. That show can make you or break you. Some guys have done well after it. Forrest did well. Rashad is the champ. I feel I’m one of those guys that was on it that will stay around.
Are you suprised Hamill and Bisping are doing well with their careers?
Not at all. I don’t think Bisping is going to challenge yet. He did beat Leben but they knew Leben would stand with him and Bisping can box. They wouldn’t let Bisping fight Maia. Hell, Maia called him out. They won’t let Bisping fight Maia. They don’t want him to lose. Or Chael Sonnen, you kidding me? He would destroy Mike. I like Mike alot. He’s tough as hell.. I repsect him but certain things are supposed to go a certain way.
Like the Hamill fight?
Yeah, what are you going to say? They can only shelter him so long.
Did you have a preference who your coach would be on the show?
I definitely wanted Tito. That’s why I was so bummed out on the show.
Was it bad editing or was Shamrock really a bad coach?
He really was a bad coach. He is a good guy and his good intentions. But a lot of his coaches were inexperienced.
What were your thoughts when you got to fight Danny Addabi? Were you licking your chops?
I was in a way. He was the lowest pick. But I was a low pick too. You can’t take anything for granted.
Have you gone back and watched the Kendall Grove fight?
Yes.
There is some controversary about whether or not Kendall tapped at some point in the fight. Do you think he tapped?
Yes (laughs), but what are you going to do? You can’t let it effect you. It wasn’t the first time it’s happened. It’ll happen again. I have to finish fights. If I never got tired nobody could beat me. I’m going to continue to work on my conditioning.
What were your thoughts after the fight?
If you see the pictures you’ll know how I felt. It hurt that’s how it goes. Highs and lows buddy.
Then they gave you a contract anyway.
Yeah, it was great but the loss still hurt. It all worked. It gave me an opportunity to support my family and allowed me to fight full time. I still am very thankful to Dana White and the UFC for that.
Is there anybody you’d like to fight?
Anyone I have lost too. I’d also like to fight Bisping. I always told him to come down to 185 and he did. We used to joke around about it on the show all the time.
What do you like to do when you are training?
I am about to go on a bike ride with my girl and my kids. I like to ride my quad in the snow. I like to hang out with my buddies and watch the fights.
Didn’t you have twins last year?
Yes, a boy and a girl. It’s a full time job buddy with that and training.
It gives you the toughtest time in training?
Chael Sonnen, definitely. His takedowns and takedown defense is the best. I don’t see anybody in the UFC outwrestling him.
Is there anything else you’d like to say to the fans?
I want to thank the fans who supported me. I appreciate it alot. I want to thank my sponsors who take care of me and all of my buddies.
