Dana White says he tried to book last-minute bout between Ed Herman and Kevin Holland at UFC on ESPN+ 31
The UFC gave one final effort to give Ed Herman and Kevin Holland a fight at UFC on ESPN+ 31 on Saturday, Aug. 1.
Both Herman and Holland’s scheduled opponents were forced to withdraw from their bouts the day of. UFC President Dana White told media in the post-fight press conference, the promotion tried to put together a last-minute bout between Herman and Holland.
“We were trying to track him down. Ed Herman’s nickname is “Short fuse,” for a reason. He was pissed off about the fight today and he was going crazy, then this thing happened and we were trying to get him back,” Dana White said in the post-fight press conference. “Let’s just say he couldn’t come back, he moved on.”
Herman’s scheduled light-heavyweight contest with Gerald Meerschaert fell through after Meerschaert tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday. The fight was scrapped less than two hours before the event started.
Holland’s opponent, Trevin Giles fainted backstage right before the two middleweights made their walks to the octagon. Giles was ruled ineligible to compete.
Holland wasted little time and took to Twitter, campaigning for a last-minute fight with Herman. Holland, who was slated to fight at middleweight, was willing to go up a weight class to face Herman.
“I would also fight @EdHermanufc tonight,” Holland said on Twitter. “I repeat. Knock knock red head. Let’s go bucko.”
I would also fight @EdHermanufc tonight. #justsaying #UFCVegas5
— Kevin Holland (@Trailblaze2top) August 1, 2020
I repeat. Knock knock red head. Let’s go bucko. https://t.co/D1skEe0rEu
— Kevin Holland (@Trailblaze2top) August 2, 2020
Kevin Holland did not get his wish, but White said Holland will most likely fight UFC on ESPN+ 32 next week, Aug. 8.
“These guys that didn’t fight tonight, they all got paid some money and we’re trying to turn these guys around. I think Holland is going to fight next week,” White said. “They got paid some money, they didn’t get paid their show money though.”
Holland is coming off a 39-second knockout over Anthony Hernandez at UFC on ESPN 8 on May 16. He attempted to make a quick turnaround against Daniel Rodriguez at UFC on ESPN 9 this past May, but withdrew after suffered an injury.
Herman is a a 25-time UFC veteran and riding a two-fight win streak He most recently defeated Khadis Ibragimov by unanimous decision at UFC on ESPN+ 21 this past November.
