Exclusive: Heath Herring Likely To Return in Early 2008
UFC heavyweight Heath Herring will likely to return to the octagon in early 2008 according to his manager, Dean Albrecht, who confirmed the news with MMAFrenzy.com earlier today. According to Albrecht, Herring is taking some time off from fighting while continuing to train for his UFC return.
Herring had a successful run in both PRIDE and K-1 before coming to the UFC as part of Zuffa’s purchase of the World Fighting Alliance, to which Herring was contract. He made his UFC debut at UFC Fight Night 8 and was defeated by Jake O’Brien. At UFC 69 Herring defeated Brad Imes by unanimous decision. He was handed another unanimous decision loss in his last UFC bout against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 73 in July.
No definite plans have been established for Herring though there are several rumored UFC events in January and February which could host his return to the octagon from the extended break.
Herring has been kind of a forgotten name and with reason, since he hasn’t really been that impressive in the UFC. Werdum has kind of been a forgotten name, too. Maybe we will see Werdum face Herring in 2008.
Man, if he comes back he needs to step it up. All of his fights in the UFC have been boring. Nothing compared to his old self.
That is his biggest criticism. His losses were respectable (to an established fighter in Nog and a rising on in O’Brien) but I want to see him finish a fight. Then the UFC will at least have someone they can market. I think an average fighter who’s exciting will always get more attention and respect with someone that nearly always wins by decision. I think the break could do him wonders though.
[...] UFCDaily.com is reporting that Heath Herring plans to return to UFC action after some time off by [...]
Now that I think of it, maybe Herring will fight Cro Cop in 2008. That’s possbile right? I know they fought before in Pride, but that wouldn’t stop the UFC from booking a match between them.