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[HammerFist]

When former heavyweight champion Mark Coleman fell out his bout with rising star Brock Lesnar due to injury, the call was quickly made to perennial contender Heath Herring, who stepped up on short notice to take on the Minnesota native in his home state.

Herring made an impressive showing in his last fight defeating Cheick Kongo by split decision at UFC 82 in Columbus, Ohio. Despite the short notice, Herring says he had no hesitations stepping in to face Lesnar and the only detractor was pulling his camp together on time.

“The only hesitation was trying to get all the chickens back in the chicken coup so to speak. No one was really set up to try and get ready for a fight. I think we got camp established pretty quick and now everything’s going okay,” said Herring.

For his last fight, he admitted that he didn’t work much on his ground game, expecting a stand-up fight with the experienced kickboxer, Kongo. Now facing a former NCAA Division I wrestling champion, he’s on top of his grappling skills again, but definitely isn’t neglecting his striking ability.

“I actually am working a little bit of ground now, but we’re also training stand-up as well,” Herring stated. “Not to slack off in any area. We’re trying to be as well rounded as possible. I have a feeling he might want to come out and try to throw just a little bit, and I’m hoping he does and we’ve got to make him pay when he does.”

With Brock Lesnar on the horizon, Herring has assembled another top training camp including past coaches and partners, but he has also been spending much of his time training with Randy Couture and his team, Xtreme Couture.

“I’ve been down at Randy’s (Couture) a lot. Actually, Randy’s really helped me out so far,” commented Herring. “I really have got to give him a lot of credit for helping me out and kind of helping me with takedown defense and things like that.”

There’s not much video on Lesnar when it comes to his MMA career having only two professional fights to his credit, but Herring’s vast experience in the fight game could be one of the most determining factors in the match-up.

Despite the lack of footage to map out a specific game plan, Herring is confident that he can anticipate what Lesnar is likely to do in the fight.

“From my own personal experience, guys that are that green and new, they kind of revert to that adrenaline rush and that’s what I’m anticipating he’s going to do as well,” Herring said about his opponent. “I think he’s going to be pretty wild and come out and do what we saw him do against Frank (Mir).”

Lesnar will likely have one very large factor on his side and that is the home state crowd of Minnesota behind their native son. Again, Herring’s experience in this aspect of the fight will keep him calm when dealing with the storm of the crowd at UFC 87.

“I’ve been fighting people in their hometowns for a long time,” said Herring. “This ain’t my first rodeo.”

Herring will continue his camp in Las Vegas as he prepares for the August 9 showdown with Lesnar as a part of UFC 87.

- HEATH HERRING HAS NO HESITATIONS WITH LESNAR - MMA WEEKLY - Mixed Martial Arts & UFC News, Photos, Rankings & more

Im gonna go with Brock on this one, i like Heath more but see Brock being way too strong for the crazy horse.

[Ifightforaliving]

shit if I were Brock I would be worried. Randuy is a hell of a coach and the master of gameplans. And Herring is no can.He's right in Brocks 2 fights he did exactly the same thing came out,rush,td,gnp,except in the 2nd he got subbed

[mmajunkie]

i honestly see lesnar coming out with the win. but if heath is training with couture, u never know whats goin to happen. im like 55% lesnar 45% heath. I think randy could beat both of them tho hahahahaha.

[thefirm0]

in my opinion herring is a tougher opponent then coleman considering he hasnt fought in a while, that being said i'd really,really like to see lesnar look good, if he can start to dominate he could be a really viscious and entertaining fighter, which is what the heavywght division needs, but herring has been in there with the best should be really good fight

[hunterkiller]

I don't want to see either guy lose. Neither can afford a loss. That said, I'll take Herring. He's more entertaining.

[twankydawg]

Herring isn't no joke, anyone that thinks this is going to be a cakewalk for Lesnar is sadly mistaken.

[Healzyou]

I've always liked Herring, alot. My girlfriend and I have been dating for over two years now and she's from Texas. We haven't missed a UFC PPV since we started seeing each other, so of course he's one of her favorite fighters.

I don't think Herring will be able to handle Brock's strength and his wrestling ability. The only thing I can think of is that maybe Heath will be able to sweep Brock from the bottom, mounting Brock and pound out a TKO.

I highly doubt the fight is going to stay standing, and on the ground it will get interesting.

I think Brock will win via unanimous decision.

[blackfox]

Originally Posted by twankydawg

Herring isn't no joke, anyone that thinks this is going to be a cakewalk for Lesnar is sadly mistaken.

Cosign. I don't know where all the lesnar bandwagon shit is coming from all of a sudden. Heath will destroy him.

[Ubermensch]

^^^^ They Are called Prowrestling fanns!!

[BUKKAKALYPSE]

I'm not on the "brock bandwagon" but i do think he has a shot to win...heath is no joke though...i just hope its a WAR for both of them..it'd be nice to se Brocks jaw get tested by a guy like Heath..if he can take a good shot mixed with the right training (looks like he's getting some) he COULD be a force . I just respect Brock because he wants hard fights and really wants to improve..I mean who else, thats as new to MMA as he is would step foot in the ring with MIR or Herring..I just wish he'd get the cheese grater out and rip that tattoo off of his chest!