There is no denying the talent and motivational drive of one Ed “Short Fuse” Herman. Since making his return to the octagon in 2011 and coming back from a career threatening injury he has come back with a vengeance destroying the opposition that stood in his path. Hoping to continue his winning streak in his ascent up the middleweight ranks the former Ultimate Fighter star will make his return at UFC 143 as he will do battle against undefeated wrestling standout Clifford Starks.
Fight Hub TV recently spoke with Ed Herman about his growth since the show and making his ascent back to the top of the middleweight ranks.
FHTV: Most people were introduced to you from your time on the Ultimate Fighter Show. How has the experience on the show helped with your career?
Ed Herman: I would say the exposure for being on the show and people knowing me. So in a way they can relate to you because the people somewhat knows about your personal life.
FHTV: What were some of the positive and negative feedback you feel you receive from viewers?
Ed Herman: It was good exposure wise because you can connect with the fans. From a negative standpoint sometimes the show can bring the worse out of you because you display a bad attitude or are perceived in a certain way but overall I feel it was a great thing for me.
FHTV: During your rise in the UFC, we have defiantly seen a huge change in you from the show. How important is it in your mind to keep evolving as a fighter on a skill and mental standpoint?
Ed Herman: I feel like I’ve grown a lot. I learned to train a lot smarter in my growth as a fighter. From a mental standpoint I learned to deal with all the negativity, the hype, and bad people that you could surround yourself with that will try to take advantage of you. In all it’s about settling down and learning to grow-up.
FHTV: Continuing your rise you experienced a major setback in your career from a serious injury that left you out for 21 months. Overall how was the road to recovery?
Ed Herman: It was a little rough because I re injured it after the first surgery. Two ACL surgeries can defiantly be career ending but I just keep moving forward, doing my rehab, and kept trying to get better so it was defiantly a hard time for me but I’m just very thankful to be able to come back and compete.
FHTV: Coming back from that injury, what was your motivational drive which led to your two straight wins from last year?
Ed Herman: The opportunity to revive my career. When you sit there injured and you’re not sure if you will be able to compete again and wonder if you gave it all you could , to be able to get that second opportunity and move to Colorado and open up my own gym having new guys to train with things are really going well for me.
FHTV: Flash forward, at UFC 143 you will be going against Clifford Starks. What do you know about your opponent and how have you been preparing for him?
Ed Herman: From what I know he is a wrestler that is 8-0. I don’t feel he has ever been tested but I plan on going in there to test his heart and will. He is a tough athletic guy so I know he is going to bring it because it will be a big opportunity for him to come in on the main stage to beat a guy like me.
FHTV: How important is it for you to continue your winning streak as you make your way back up the middleweight ladder?
Ed Herman: It’s very important. You’re only as good as your last fight because people will forget who you are really fast if you’re not winning. You are basically fighting for your job in the UFC so it’s important for me to continue winning and continue to climb the middleweight ranks to get myself in the top 10 and get a run for the title. Overall it’s about just doing the best I can and going as far as I can go with the years I have left.
FHTV: Finally how would Ed Herman like to be remembered by the fans when you retire from MMA?
Ed Herman: I would like to be considered as someone who laid it all on the line every time I stepped in the cage and of course winning the world title would be a great way to end my career.
FHTV: Before we wrap up is there anybody you would like to thank?
Ed Herman: Want to give a special thanks to my gym TrialsMMA.com, my students, Grudge MMA, Easton Jiu-jitsu, of my sponsors- Revgear, Dethrone, and all of the fans that supported me, that were with me through all the tough times.
