Ed Herman (mixed martial artist)

Background

Herman was born and primarily raised in Vancouver, Washington by his father who competed in wrestling for The University of Iowa. Herman attended Columbia River High School where he competed in wrestling and football. Shortly after high school Herman began training in mixed martial arts at Team Quest.

The Ultimate Fighter

While on The Ultimate Fighter, he won a preliminary victory against Danny Abaddi via armbar submission. In the semifinals, he defeated Rory Singer via rear-naked choke submission. He then lost to Kendall Grove in the finals by unanimous decision. Despite his loss, Herman was subsequently awarded a contract by UFC president Dana White based on his performance.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Herman made his UFC debut at The Ultimate Fighter 3 Finale, where he lost to Kendall Grove in the finals by unanimous decision.

Herman lost his second fight to Jason MacDonald at Ortiz vs. Shamrock 3: The Final Chapter via triangle choke submission in round one.

At UFC Fight Night: Evans vs Salmon, Herman scored his first UFC victory in a Catchweight contest defeating Chris Price via armbar midway through round one. At the weigh in Herman made the 186 lb limit however Price did not take to the scales, coming back later that evening to record 192 lb.

Herman won his second consecutive UFC fight by defeating Scott Smith via rear-naked choke submission. This fight was held at UFC 72 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Herman won Submission of the Night honors for his performance.

In Herman's fourth UFC fight, he took on Canadian fighter Joe Doerksen at UFC 78 who held a prior victory over Herman via submission. Herman avenged that loss, winning the fight by knocking Doerksen out in the third round and receiving Knockout of the Night honors in the process.

At UFC 83, Herman took on undefeated Brazilian fighter Demian Maia. Herman lost to Maia by triangle choke submission in the second round.

At UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs. Neer, Herman lost by split decision to Alan Belcher.

Herman's next fight came at UFC 97, where he defeated David Loiseau via unanimous decision.

In his fight against Aaron Simpson, Herman's knee was caught in a bad position near the end of the first-round during a takedown, with his opponent landing on the knee. Herman most likely sustained a serious injury at this point, visibly having trouble putting any weight on the injured leg after the round ended. Herman seemed to recover, and answered the bell for the second round. Early in the second, however, Herman further injured his knee attempting a high-kick, causing him to collapse to the mat in pain and the fight to be stopped.

Herman faced Tim Credeur on June 4, 2011 at The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale, winning via TKO 48 seconds into the first round.

Herman then stepped in to replace an injured Tom Lawlor against Kyle Noke at UFC on Versus 5 on August 14, 2011. Herman defeated Noke by submission (heel hook) in the first round.

Herman faced Clifford Starks on February 4, 2012 at UFC 143. He won the fight via submission in the second round.

Herman faced Jake Shields on August 11, 2012 at UFC 150. Herman lost to Shields via unanimous decision. However, on October 12, 2012, it was revealed that Shields has tested positive for a banned substance and the result was overturned to a No Contest.

For the Strikeforce promotion's final show, Herman was allowed to step away from the UFC for one fight and signed to face Ronaldo Souza at Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine on January 12, 2013. Herman took the fight after several UFC fighters turned it down. He lost via submission in the first round.

Herman faced Trevor Smith on July 27, 2013 at UFC on Fox 8. He won the fight by split decision. The win also earned Herman his second Fight of the Night bonus award.

Herman was expected to face Rafael Natal on November 16, 2013 at UFC 167. However, Natal was pulled from the pairing with Herman in favor of a bout with Tim Kennedy on November 6, 2013 in the event headliner at UFC Fight Night 31. Herman instead faced Thales Leites. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Herman faced Rafael Natal on May 10, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 40. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Herman was expected to face Derek Brunson on December 13, 2014 at UFC on Fox 13. However, the fight was scrapped just hours before the fight, as Brunson was stricken with a stomach ailment. Subsequently, the bout with Brunson was rescheduled and took place on January 31, 2015 at UFC 183. Herman lost the fight via TKO in the first round.

Herman faced Tim Boetsch in a light heavyweight bout on January 17, 2016 at UFC Fight Night: Dillashaw vs. Cruz. He won the fight via TKO in the second round and earned a Performance of the Night bonus.

Herman faced Nikita Krylov on July 30, 2016 at UFC 201. He lost the fight via knockout due to a head kick in the second round.

Herman was expected to face Igor Pokrajac on March 4, 2017 at UFC 209. However, Pokrajac pulled out of the fight in early February citing an injury, and was replaced by Gadzhimurad Antigulov. Subsequently on February 20, Herman revealed that he was injured and would be unable to compete at the event.

Herman faced C.B. Dollaway on July 7, 2017 at The Ultimate Fighter 25 Finale. He lost the back-and-forth bout via unanimous decision.

Personal life

Herman lives with his girlfriend Crystal and her daughter. The couple had twins in January 2008. Before becoming a full-time professional fighter, Herman worked as a bartender and bouncer. He also has a younger brother and two step-sisters. In September 2017, Herman lost the tip of the index finger on his left hand as a result of a DIY plumbing accident at his home.

Championships and accomplishments