MMA SUBMISSION: HEATH HERRING'S CLAIM TO FAME

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We knew a kid in college named Heath. This guy could beat him up. Easily.

Most American fight fans first met Heath Herring through some version of this clip. It has to be the fastest knockout—zero seconds—in MMA history.

While the fight boosted Herring's name recognition, the moment actually ended up being a nightmare. He says he recently settled a lawsuit in Japan after he was sued by a promoter for the incident. Herring can't and won't discuss much about the suit because he signed a non-disclosure agreement. "Let's just say I spent a lot of money on attorney fees," he says.

Herring barely remembers the incident. "Apparently he kissed me and I punched him," he says. "The first thing I recall is standing there with him knocked out cold."

Now, the footage is one of Herring's claims to fame. The other: He has a pretty amazing fight resume (a 28-13 record, with one no contest) for a 30 year old. He's fought Evan Tanner (twice), Vitor Belfort, Mark Kerr, Antonio Rodrigo Noguiera (three times), Fedor Emelianenko and Mirko Cro Cop. In the UFC, he lost to Jake O'Brien, beat Brad Imes, then had Noguiera pretty much out before he let the now-champ back to his feet. "That's my one career regret," Herring says. "I could see it in his eyes—he was out. And I let him up. To this day, I'm not really sure why."

He says it won't happen again, especially if he wobbles Brock Lesnar this weekend in their anticipated heavyweight bout. He acknowledges Lesnar has a huge wrestling advantage on him---the former national champ from the University of Minnesota may have the best wrestling resume of any current UFC fighter. And in Herring's first bout, O'Brien grounded-and-pounded Herring unmercifully in a three-round decision. "That's my one big concern—that Lesnar gets me down and just stalls out a win," Herring says. "But overall, I think he has more to worry about than I do. I think I have a big advantage in experience and with my standup game."

One other edge for Lesnar: size. Herring expects to weigh in a little more than 250, and expects his opponent to weigh in at the maximum, 265 pounds. Lesnar's weight fluctuates as high as 290, which Herring anticipates Lesnar will weigh on fight night. "He's a big boy," Herring laughs. "But so am I."

NATURAL LOSS
Last week's court ruling went against Randy Couture, but he's clearly not giving up. I am definitely in the minority with this opinion, but I still say there's a decent chance (put it at 40 percent) that a variety of factors—courtroom losses, his age, an enticing opponent—could end up causing Couture's return to The Octagon. It increasingly looks like his two options are a) a long, bitter court battle against the UFC's legal team (a very, very difficult fight to win); or b)a just-as-bitter return to the UFC, maybe for a fight against Noguiera or another worthwhile opponent. Couture is a smart guy, and may eventually decide option b is the way to go.

WAMMA RATINGS
The World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts has its updated rankings out since Fedor's win over Tim Sylvia. I guess my biggest beef would be Dan Henderson at No. 5 in middleweight. I think if you're ranking him at middleweight, he has to be second behind Anderson Silva.

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