UFC on ESPN+ 31 was snakebit to the point it had just eight fights, a massive drop from the usual 13.
Ed “Short Fuse” Herman was contracted to fight Gerald Meerschaert at light heavyweight, but Meerschaert tested positive for COVID-19 and the fight was canceled the afternoon of the fight. Meanwhile, middleweight Kevin Holland saw his fight canceled when opponent Trevin Giles briefly passed out backstage, moments before the walkout.
The UFC naturally tried to salvage a fight, and attempted to match Herman with Holland, who was all in.
https://twitter.com/Trailblaze2top/status/1289733212252577793https://twitter.com/Trailblaze2top/status/1289794604447879170
However … margaritas.
Basically, I was told my fight is off, said Herman to Steven Marrocco for MMA Fighting on Tuesday. I said can you guarantee my fight? Can you find anybody else? They said no. … I started drinking margaritas in the pool and had my phone off.”
Herman checked his phone at about 6:30 p.m. and saw missed calls from UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard and president Dana White.
I called Mick immediately,” explained Herman. “And he said, ‘Hey, can you come and fight Kevin Holland?’ I’m like, ‘Yep I can, but I’ve had about three margaritas. And they said, ‘Well, we can’t really do that.’ That was the first I’d heard of it.
I would have loved to have stepped in there and fought Kevin so we both had the opportunity to go make some money. That’s why we’re doing this. For me, it was just a big punch to the face and the gut. I couldn’t believe what had happened, and lost my focus from that point. I hit in the pool and the margaritas. That kind of f***ed me.
I should have stayed in place. I wish they’d said, ‘Hey, stick around, something could happen, stay here,’ but the less level-headed side of me… I probably should have done that, but I didn’t. I was just frustrated.
Herman was informed about Holland’s above Tweets, and was not impressed.
I kind of want to punch Kevin in the face if he’s still talking s***, said Herman. I would have fought him, no problem, and he’s trying to act like I’m afraid of him. I don’t know what’s up with that.
Holland wasn’t impressed with Herman’s expressed desire to punch his face, and tweeted on.
https://twitter.com/Trailblaze2top/status/1290807692173479937
However, Holland vs. Herman is going to have to wait. Holland was rebooked vs. Joaquin Buckley at UFC on ESPN+ 32 on Saturday.
As for Herman, he saw a fight canceled due to the COVID-19 global pandemic vs. Da Un Jung at UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Weidman on May 2, 2020 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Then he saw the Meerschaert fight canceled. And he’s not young.
I’m trying to figure out something when I can get there again, said Herman. It’s been a tough, long two camps in a row with two fights canceled in a row with no f***ing payday, so it’s been pretty frustrating trying to make the right decision. I’ve got to get my head right and talk to my staff, figure out when my coaches are available. Everybody’s so busy right now, I can’t just jump on a hat and fight tomorrow without my staff.
[A short-notice booking] turns an eight-week camp into a 12-week camp, I’m 39 years old, man. These camps, that’s where the work is done. The fighting is a bonus, my reward. The continual training is where I earn my money, busting my ass for weeks and weeks at a time. Everyone says just jump back in there. It’s a little different when you’re the one doing it.
