Heath Herring

Last updated

Heath Herring
Heath Herring.png
Born (1978-03-02) March 2, 1978 (age 47)
Waco, Texas, United States
Other namesThe Texas Crazy Horse
NationalityAmerican
Height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight250 lb (113 kg; 17 st 12 lb)
Division Heavyweight
Reach78 in (198 cm)
Style Wrestling, Sambo, Boxing, Muay Thai
Fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Team Golden Glory
Las Vegas Combat Club
Xtreme Couture [1]
Trainer Cor Hemmers
Years active1997–2008, 2016–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total45
Wins28
By knockout10
By submission13
By decision4
By disqualification1
Losses16
By knockout5
By submission1
By decision10
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Heath Herring (born March 2, 1978 [2] ) is an American professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Heavyweight division. While perhaps best known for competing in PRIDE, he has also formerly competed for the UFC, K-1 and Rizin.

Contents

Background

Herring was born in Waco, Texas and was raised in Amarillo, Texas. His mother is a psychologist working for the Texas prison system and his father is an attorney who owns two different law firms. Herring attended Amarillo High School and played competitive football while being pursued by the school's Wrestling coach to join the team. Herring initially resisted, but in his senior year Herring began training and qualified as one of the top ten competitors in the state for the state championships. Soon after, he began practicing Sambo. Herring began training to fight in mixed martial arts when he graduated high school at the age of 18, but also continued his football career as a defensive end for West Texas A&M University's Division II program, although he did not finish his college education. [3]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Herring made his professional mixed martial arts debut in 1997 and compiled a record of 13-5 before being signed by PRIDE. After reaching the final of the World Vale Tudo Championship 8 tournament held in Aruba in July 1999, Herring was invited to learn kickboxing in the Netherlands by the show's Dutch promoter Bas Boone and he trained under Cor Hemmers at Golden Glory for a number of years. [4]

PRIDE Fighting Championships

Herring is a longtime veteran in PRIDE, where he participated in 17 fights. [5] Herring was very popular with the Japanese crowd for his unique hairstyles and colors, as well as sporting a duster coat and cowboy hat to the ring during his entrances. [3]

Herring made his promotional debut at PRIDE 9 against wrestler Willie Peeters and won via rear-naked choke submission in the first round. Herring then followed this up with three more wins before being handed his first defeat in the promotion at the hands of Vitor Belfort via unanimous decision at PRIDE 14. Herring followed this up with an impressive TKO win over Mark Kerr before receiving a shot for the inaugural PRIDE Heavyweight Championship.

Herring took part in the first PRIDE Heavyweight Championship fight against Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira where he lost by unanimous decision. Despite his earlier championship loss to Nogueira, he was widely considered the number one contender until his first round loss to Fedor Emelianenko. After the loss to Emelianenko, Herring fought Mirko Cro Cop at PRIDE 26 and was defeated in the first round via TKO. Herring then bounced back, winning his next four consecutive fights before facing Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira in a rematch at PRIDE Critical Countdown 2004. Herring lost the rematch via anaconda choke submission in the second round. Herring would make his last appearance for the promotion at PRIDE 28 on October 31, 2004 against Hirotaka Yokoi and won via first-round TKO in under two minutes.

Herring parted ways with PRIDE in late 2004 because of management disputes.

New Year's Eve kiss

On December 31, 2005, Herring was involved in a memorable MMA moment during K-1's Dynamite 2005 show. During the pre-fight staredown, his opponent, Yoshihiro Nakao, leaned in and kissed him on the lips. Herring reacted, delivering a right hook to the jaw of Nakao, knocking him down. Herring was immediately disqualified and Nakao was carried from the ring. Shortly thereafter, Nakao's cornermen attacked Herring and a brief fight ensued. Herring's trainers, Ricardo Pires and Sergio Penha [6] fought with Nakao's trainers until security stopped the fight. The fight result has since been changed by K-1 from a disqualification loss for Herring to a no contest, as K-1 judges ruled that Nakao's kiss and Herring's subsequent knockout punch were both fouls. [7]

Transition to the UFC

Heath Herring debuted in the UFC for UFC Fight Night 8 and lost on decision against Jake O'Brien after deciding to fight after being injured.

On Saturday, April 7, 2007, at UFC 69 Heath faced off against The Ultimate Fighter 2 Heavyweight finalist Brad Imes. Herring won the match by unanimous decision after 3 rounds.

At UFC 73, Herring lost via unanimous decision to Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira, but not before he landed a left high kick to Nogueira's head late in the first round. Nogueira was sent to the ground, visibly stunned, but Herring did not engage him and attempt to finish the fight, opting to stand up shortly after the kick and beckoned Nogueira to stand as well. The referee motioned Noguiera to stand up after the brief flurry on the ground, giving Herring the advantage but Herring was not able to finish the fight in the first round.

At UFC 82 Heath won a three-round split-decision against rising contender Cheick Kongo. While both are considered strikers, much of the fight took place on the ground. After the fight Heath said he was not happy with the fight, he wanted to give the fans a stand-up fight and Kongo refused to stand with him. Herring also said after the fight that he did not even train at all for the ground game.

Herring fought Brock Lesnar at UFC 87 after Mark Coleman was forced to withdraw due to a knee injury. [8] The fight went the full 3 rounds and Lesnar was declared winner by unanimous decision. Herring was knocked down early in the first round with a straight right. According to Heath Herring's official Facebook profile in a note titled "6 Months To Rest", Herring is said to have suffered a broken orbital bone from the first punch of the fight. Herring was scheduled to fight Cain Velasquez at UFC 99, but was forced to withdraw due to an undisclosed illness.

Herring stated in November 2010 that he wants to fight as soon as possible. He was still under contract with the UFC and was expected to make his return. [9]

In September 2011, responding to a question asked via Twitter, UFC President Dana White commented that Herring "...retired after the Lesnar fight". [10]

Herring has taken up the hobby of playing poker since his retirement from MMA [11] and is also a commentator for Rizin Fighting Federation. [12]

Joining Rizin FF Openweight tournament

After eight years away from the sport, the 38-year-old Herring ended his retirement and signed with the Japanese promotion Rizin Fighting Federation. He faced Amir Aliakbari, an Iranian wrestling standout, in the quarter-final round of the openweight grand prix, replacing fellow former UFC fighter Shane Carwin. Herring lost the bout by unanimous decision.

Film career

Heath Herring starred in Never Surrender , released by Lions Gate Entertainment in 2009 as well as Circle of Pain. He has also appeared in Hell's Chain, Unrivaled, Beatdown, and Division III: Football's Finest.

Personal life

Herring was married when he was 18 years old and has a daughter, but the marriage ended in divorce. In August 2014 he remarried, to TV presenter Sarah Grant. [13] They had a daughter in 2019. Herring's brother also competed in MMA, holding an undefeated 5-0 record before attending Baylor University to play football as an offensive tackle. Herring currently lives in Las Vegas. Before becoming a professional fighter, he worked as a computer programmer.

In the last eight years, all through his thirties, Herring has dabbled in stunt work in Hollywood, tried his hand at professional poker and launched a mixed martial arts promotion in Argentina. [3]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
45 matches28 wins16 losses
By knockout105
By submission131
By decision410
By disqualification10
No contests1
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss28–16 (1) Satoshi Ishii Decision (unanimous) Rizin 2017 in Yokohama: Sakura April 16, 201725:00 Yokohama, Japan
Loss28–15 (1) Amir Aliakbari Decision (unanimous) Rizin World Grand Prix 2016: 2nd Round December 29, 201625:00 Saitama, Japan 2016 Rizin Openweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
Loss28–14 (1) Brock Lesnar Decision (unanimous) UFC 87 August 9, 200835:00 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Win28–13 (1) Cheick Kongo Decision (split) UFC 82 March 1, 200835:00 Columbus, Ohio, United States
Loss27–13 (1) Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira Decision (unanimous) UFC 73 July 7, 200735:00 Sacramento, California, United States
Win27–12 (1) Brad Imes Decision (unanimous) UFC 69 April 7, 200735:00 Houston, Texas, United States
Loss26–12 (1) Jake O'Brien Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Evans vs Salmon January 25, 200735:00 Hollywood, Florida, United States
Win26–11 (1) Gary Goodridge TKO (punches)Hero's 4March 15, 200621:55 Tokyo, Japan
NC25–11 (1) Yoshihiro Nakao No Contest K-1 PREMIUM 2005 Dynamite!! December 31, 200510:00 Osaka, JapanNakao kissed Herring during the pre-match stare-down, after which Herring knocked him out with a punch rendering him unable to continue. Originally ruled a DQ and overturned to a NC.
Loss25–11 Sam Greco TKO (knee injury)HERO'S 1March 26, 200512:24 Saitama, Japan
Win25–10 Hirotaka Yokoi TKO (knees) PRIDE 28 October 31, 200411:55 Saitama, Japan
Loss24–10 Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira Submission (anaconda choke) PRIDE Critical Countdown 2004 June 20, 200420:30 Saitama, Japan2004 PRIDE Heavyweight Grand Prix Quarterfinals.
Win24–9 Kazuo Takahashi TKO (punches) PRIDE Total Elimination 2004 April 25, 200414:53 Saitama, Japan2004 PRIDE Heavyweight Grand Prix First Round.
Win23–9 Gan McGee Decision (split) PRIDE 27 February 1, 200435:00 Osaka, Japan
Win22–9 Paulo Cesar Silva Submission (rear-naked choke) PRIDE Shockwave 2003 December 31, 200330:35 Saitama, Japan
Win21–9 Yoshihisa Yamamoto Submission (rear-naked choke) PRIDE Final Conflict 2003 November 9, 200332:29 Tokyo, Japan
Loss20–9 Mirko Cro Cop TKO (body kick and punches) PRIDE 26 June 8, 200313:17 Yokohama, Japan
Loss20–8 Fedor Emelianenko TKO (doctor stoppage) PRIDE 23 November 24, 2002110:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win20–7 Yuriy Kochkine TKO (knees) PRIDE 22 September 29, 200217:31 Nagoya, Japan
Win19–7 Igor Vovchanchyn Decision (unanimous) PRIDE 19 February 24, 200235:00 Saitama, Japan
Loss18–7 Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira Decision (unanimous) PRIDE 17 November 3, 200135:00 Tokyo, JapanFor the PRIDE Heavyweight Championship.
Win18–6 Mark Kerr TKO (knees) PRIDE 15 July 29, 200124:56 Saitama, Japan
Loss17–6 Vitor Belfort Decision (unanimous) PRIDE 14 May 27, 200135:00 Yokohama, Japan
Win17–5Denis SobolevSubmission (americana) PRIDE 13 March 25, 200110:22 Saitama, Japan
Win16–5 Enson Inoue TKO (knees) PRIDE 12 December 9, 200014:52 Saitama, Japan
Win15–5 Tom Erikson Submission (rear-naked choke) PRIDE 11 October 31, 200016:17 Osaka, Japan
Win14–5 Willie Peeters Submission (rear-naked choke) PRIDE 9 June 4, 200010:48 Nagoya, Japan
Loss13–5Ramazan MezhidovTKO (doctor stoppage)IAFC: Pankration World Championship 2000 Day 2April 29, 200014:55 Moscow, RussiaDoctor stoppage due to cut.
Win13–4 Rene Rooze DQ (excessive fouling)2 Hot 2 Handle 1March 5, 200013:20 Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Win12–4 Bob Schrijber TKO (punches)World Vale Tudo Championship 9September 27, 199912:19 Aruba Won the World Vale Tudo Championship 9 Tournament.
Win11–4Sean McCullySubmission (kimura)10:43World Vale Tudo Championship 9 Tournament Semifinals.
Win10–4Michael TielrooySubmission (americana)11:14World Vale Tudo Championship 9 Tournament Quarterfinals.
Loss9–4 Bobby Hoffman Decision (unanimous)SuperBrawl 13September 7, 199925:00 Honolulu, Hawaii, United StatesSuperbrawl 13 Heavyweight Tournament Semifinals.
Win9–3Rocky BatastiniSubmission (rear-naked choke)11:00Superbrawl 13 Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinals.
Loss8–3 Alexandre Ferreira Decision (split)World Vale Tudo Championship 8July 1, 1999130:00 Aruba World Vale Tudo Championship 8 Finals.
Win8–2Kavkaz SoultanmagomedovTKO (submission to punches)11:18World Vale Tudo Championship 8 Semifinals.
Win7–2Erwin van den SteenTKO (submission to punches)14:33World Vale Tudo Championship 8 Quarterfinals.
Win6–2Gabe BeauperthySubmission (armlock)Bas Rutten Invitational 3June 1, 199914:43 Colorado, United StatesWon the Bas Rutten Invitational 3 Heavyweight Tournament.
Win5–2Hoss CarterSubmission (americana)11:07Bas Rutten Invitational 3 Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinals.
Loss4–2 Travis Fulton Decision (unanimous)Extreme Challenge 24May 15, 1999112:00 Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Win4–1Phil DeasonSubmission (americana)WVF: DurangoApril 17, 199910:13 Durango, Colorado, United States
Win3–1Nik BickleTKO (submission to punches)10:32
Win2–1 Evan Tanner Submission (rear-naked choke)PSDANovember 22, 199718:20 Texas, United States
Loss1–1 Evan Tanner TKO (exhaustion)Unified Shoot Wrestling Federation 7October 18, 199716:19 Amarillo, Texas, United States
Win1–0Chris GuillenSubmission (rear-naked choke)Unified Shoot Wrestling Federation 4April 12, 199712:10 Amarillo, Texas, United States

References

  1. ↑ "Fight Finder: Heath Herring". Sherdog. 2007. Retrieved August 15, 2007.
  2. ↑ Mohapatra, Pramit (April 2, 2007). "One-on-one with UFC heavyweight Heath Herring". baltimoresun.com. Archived from the original on May 13, 2007. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 "UFC Fighter Heath Herring Interview With Jenny Woo". gambling911.com.
  4. ↑ "In Depth: HEATH HERRING Interview". Bodybuilding.com.
  5. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Heath "The Texas Crazy Horse" Herring MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography". Sherdog.com. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Rio Pro Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu - Cleveland's Premier BJJ Academy". Ricardopiresbjj.com. Archived from the original on December 14, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
  7. ↑ "Herring-Nakao Result Changed to No Contest". Sherdog.com. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Heath Herring To Face Brock Lesnar At UFC 87". MMAweekly.com. May 24, 2008.
  9. ↑ "Heath Herring "I Definitely Miss Fighting" – Looks To Fight As Soon As Possible". MMA Resolutions. November 2, 2010. Archived from the original on March 16, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
  10. ↑ "Twitter". twitter.com.
  11. ↑ "MMA Life: Heath Herring Turns from MMA to Poker". mmaweekly.com. February 12, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
  12. ↑ "RIZIN Fighting World Grand Prix 2016: 1st Round | MMA Event". Tapology.
  13. ↑ "Sarah Herring on Twitter". Twitter.
  14. ↑ Thomas Gerbasi (December 28, 2008). "The Highly Unofficial 2008 UFC Awards - The Upsets". Ultimate Fighting Championship .
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.