The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) season two heavyweight finalist Brad Imes (3-2) will return to the Octagon after a year-long layoff to face Heath Herring (26-12) at UFC 69 on April 7 in Houston, Texas, according to UFC.com.
Imes hasn’t fought since losing to Dan Christison (8-4) via armbar at UFC Fight Night 4 in April 2006. The submission during the “Fight of the Night” actually fractured Imes’ elbow, which required surgery to fix.
The 6′7″ giant — and former offensive tackle for the University of Missouri — was scheduled to fight Antoni Hardonk (5-2) at UFC 65 in November 2006 but had to withdraw at the last minute because of other injuries.
His opponent, “The Texas Crazy Horse,” will look to impress fans after a dreadful unanimous decision loss in his UFC debut to upstart Jake O’Brien (10-0) at UFC Fight Night 8 in January.
Herring — a native of Texas — was highly touted as a serious contender in the division based on his resume abroad with PRIDE FC and other promotions prior to the defeat.
According to the Houston Chronicle, tickets for UFC 69: “Shootout” at the Toyota Center are selling fast.
Here’s a snip:
More than 7,000 were sold on the first day of general ticket sales Feb. 5, and the current count stands at 10,000-plus. The $450 floor seats were gone almost immediately, and seats at the $50 and $150 levels also are sold out.
Georges St. Pierre (13-1) will defend his welterweight title for the first time against TUF 4 170-pound champion Matt Serra (7-4). And, the bitter feud between Diego Sanchez (17-0) and Josh Koscheck (8-1) will also be settled that same evening.
Check out the developing UFC 69 fight card here.
To obtain tickets — even of Ticketmaster.com or the box office sell out — don’t forget to check out StubHub.com for available seats.
12 Comments »
Ok Heath… you couldnt beat the first opponent you were supposed to beat, so lets make it easier on you this time.
I hope Imes whoops his ass so Herring goes back crying again..
I recently viewed the Fedor/ Herring fight for the 1st time, I saw a completely different Herring than I saw in the fight w/ O’ Brien. Even though he lost that fight as well, Herring looked much more in shape, and was surprisly quick for a Heavyweight. If THAT Heath shows up, Imes could have another bad night.
Where have you been Noel? I was beginning to worry. Welcome back.
Ya….
Really pummped for this fight…..
Herring better put on a show….
All organizations put up mismatches to prop up one fighter from time to time. Its understandable. But I would prefer to have one small element of doubt on the outcome. I don’t see that here. There’s no other context to view this fight than Herring versus stiff. I wish it wasn’t so obvious.
Agreed, Herring is an animal. Wtf happened to him in his UFC debut is anybody’s guess. Then his comments since the lose have soured him to US fans. But, this fight is joke. Herring can sleep through this fight and win. What is going on inside Dana and Joe’s minds: Herring vs Imes, Bisping vs Sinosic, Hughes vs Lytle, CC vs Gonzaga… A couple of ppl on this blog say they can pick the winner 90% of the time. Well, with fights like these, I can see why you think that.
LOL, thanks for noticing I was gone UFCMania. I’ve been checking in periodically on the site, but b/c I can only get online when I’m at work (no comp at home) I never get enough time to post a comment. Today was pretty slow though.
Bisping vs sinosic is a fucking joke, I give Herring imes 50/50 only because Imes can take a punch. If Hughs decides to stand with lytle I give the fight to lytle.
Yeah, Imes sure can take a punch. Just look at how well he dealt with Rashad Evans (who was only 30 or 40 lbs lighter and was giving up about 9 inches). I think he only momentarily lost conciousness twice during that fight. Now thats an iron chin.
Brad Imes has incredible gifts naturally, and is just starting in MMA. I don’t like this because one of these guys will lose, and that’s not good for the UFC. Herring, who may not be the same after too many wars, could still make an impact and Imes could be up there in the future with more training. It is a great fight for the fans, but bad for the loser and the company. But whoever thinks it is going to be a one sided affair is seriously mistaken, it will be a war.
ok here’s 2 cents…Imes vs. hering…they both suck, but im going with Imes. not impressed by hering at all…i have seen a couple of his fights in pride, i wasnt impressed with them either.
haha yeah Mahde, how that was a split decision was beyond me, Rashad dropped him atleast twice, and he is waaaaaay smaller..this isnt a toss up at all guys, Herrings gonna take this one pretty easily..everyone looks sluggish against a really dominant wrestler, but he is a douche..i think the hill billy heart hearthorb should kiss him, then maybe we can see a KO