Ed Herman got back in the win column, and back in the swing of things with a finish of Patrick Cummins at UFC Rochester. Now he just wants into UFC 3, whatever it takes.
Rochester, NY — After thirteen years in the UFC, Ed Herman is not featured in the promotion’s video game. He is, however, back in the win column following a knockout of Patrick Cummins at UFC Rochester on Saturday. The preliminary card bout was the third straight finish at the Blue Cross Arena, and saw Herman snap a three fight losing skid.
“I’ve never lost three in a row. I didn’t want to make it four,” he told reporters including Cageside Press back stage in Rochester. “That would have been possibly the end of my career, so it was nice to get the W.”
That’s a big admission, from a fighter who has been in the game a long time. Thirteen years in the UFC. Sixteen as a pro. And finally, back in the winner’s circle after a knee rocked Cummins, setting him up to be finished.
As to whether Herman would really have hung up the gloves with a loss, “I don’t know. It’s really hard to say,” he admitted. “Sometimes you think that, but as a competitor, it’d be hard to hang it up.”
The win was Herman’s first since 2016, which took him by surprise. “Really, has it been that long? Damn. Wow. I needed that one, to say the least.” As to the feeling, “it felt really good. It’s hard to really hold the emotions in, and not cry like a baby sometimes. Tears of joy.”
The most frustrating part, prior to UFC Rochester, was that he’d “been close the last couple fights, and dealing with injuries.” Heading into Rochester, he was in much better shape, he told Cageside Press previously. He reiterated that Saturday back stage.
“I felt good, healthy, no injuries going in,” Herman said. “Super excited, can’t thank my team enough, and all the people who helped me get here. It takes a tribe, a lot of people to make this happen.”
The team included a wrestling coach, for a change. “Brought in Mike Pierce. I needed to bring a wrestling coach in, probably sooner, or in the past, I should have brought one in. I just couldn’t find the right guy, and Mike was in the position to be able to help me,” Herman outlined. “So it was a great addition to the team. I feel like I had the best corner I’ve ever had for this fight.”
Years and years ago, Herman was telling people the UFC would be on ESPN some day. Whether or not they believed him, his prediction proved accurate.
“I don’t know if anybody doubted it, but it’s cool that we’re on ESPN,” Herman said of the experience. “It’s pretty darn cool to see how far the sport’s came since 2006, when I was on the Ultimate Fighter, and I was still explaining to people what the heck we do.”
As for that video game snub? He thinks he has a shot at getting in now. “I’ll even be a wimpy guy who gets beat up, just put me in the game. Come on. Please, please.”
Watch the full UFC Rochester post-fight press scrum with Ed Herman above!
