Ed Herman miraculously came back against Mike Rodriguez at UFC Vegas 10, rebounding from a near stoppage in round two to submit him in round three.
Ed Herman finally got to step into the cage at UFC Vegas 10 against the dangerous Mike Rodriguez. Herman has had five fights fall through this year. The first was a COVID-19 postponement of an event. The four since then were circumstances that surrounded his opponents, one occurring the day of the fight. He had momentum going into 2020 too, defeating Khadis Ibragimov and Patrick Cummins most recently.
Rodriguez dominated northeastern promotion CES, accumulating a 6-2 record with six finishes in the organization to get the attention of the UFC. He appeared on the Contender Series in 2017 and won by flying knee to earn a contract. He is 2-2 since then with a pair of stoppages, including a big knockout against Marcin Prachnio just three weeks.
A few leg kicks by Ed Herman started the fight, then he swung a few right hands that Mike Rodriguez deflected. Rodriguez was keeping his distance with teep kicks to the body. Rodriguez landed a leg kick then stumbled. The fighters clinched up and Rodriguez landed a few hard shots inside. They separated and another teep sent Herman stumbling. Herman initiated a clinch and held Rodriguez there for a bit. After they broke apart, Rodriguez rocked Herman then landed several strikes along the fence. Herman survived to see the next round.
Herman initiated a clinch exchange to start the second round then was pushed to the cage by Rodriguez. Herman reversed position and landed an elbow. Herman worked hard and eventually was able to muscle Rodriguez to the ground, albeit briefly. Rodriguez got back up and finally got the separation he was looking for. A pair of big body kicks landed for Rodriguez followed by another clinch. They separated almost immediately. Rodriguez closed in and landed a big knee to the body followed by another. Herman crumpled to the ground and Rodriguez pursued the finish, but was interrupted by referee Chris Tognoni for a groin shot. Replay showed that both knees landed clean to the body. Upon resumption, Rodriguez landed a hard body kick. Herman landed a combination, but Rodriguez went to the body again with punches and a knee that dropped him. Herman was able to survive utilizing upkicks to keep Rodriguez off him.
Herman shot for a takedown to start the third round and got Rodriguez down. Rodriguez scooted back up the fence and Herman stayed on his legs. Rodriguez dropped vicious elbows to the side of the head of Herman. Herman fell to his back and Rodriguez jumped on but couldn’t get free to land punches. Herman locked up a kimura and cranked it to force Rodriguez to roll to his back. Rodriguez couldn’t get loose and was forced to tap.
Ed Herman def. Mike Rodriguez by Submission (Kimura) in Round 3 (4:01)
