Can Short Fuse Keep Cool Head?

Posted on | August 6, 2009 | No Comments

By Holli Yargo

With four of his seven professional losses happening in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s octagon, Ed Herman needs his W’s to outnumber his L’s. While his UFC record is currently even, another defeat could spell an end to the hot-headed ginger’s career with the Zuffa promotion.

Fortunately, April saw an end to a two-fight losing streak when “Short Fuse” took a unanimous decision over the local favorite, David Loiseau, at UFC 97, in Canada. The firey-haired contender planned to continue the victorious trend in September’s UFC Fight Night 19 against Aaron Simpson. Now, however, it appears those plans have changed.

With an injured James Irvin stepping down from his scheduled bout against Wilson Gouveia at UFC 102, Herman is stepping up. With more than half of Gouveia’s wins coming by way of submission and another third coming by way of knock-out, the well-rounded American will need to bring a cool head and a broad arsenal of skill.

Unfortunately, cool head, as his moniker would suggest, is not something the middle-weight is known for. He’s an angry fighter with a tendency to let his emotions get in his way. That being said, he has 15 wins on his overall record to prove he is capable of effectively directing his aggression to his benefit. He can also hold his head up with the knowledge that none of his losses were to tomato-can opponents.

With less than a month to prepare for the Brazilian, Herman is taking a huge chance. But, if he can check his emotions at the door, the gamble could pay even bigger dividends. A win over Gouveia is technically more important than his win over Loiseau, as Herman was supposed to be a tough tune-up for the Canadian. A victory at 102 could set the former TUF finalist against more high-ranking competition which, if he stays focused, could lead the very able fighter to Anderson Silva.