AZ Combat Sports well represented at UFC 102

Source: www.ufc.tv
Written by: Thomas Gerbasi

PORTLAND, OR, AUGUST 29 – Rising middleweight prospect Aaron Simpson continued to impress at the Rose Garden Arena Saturday night, as he spoiled the homecoming of Ed Herman via second round TKO in UFC 102 preliminary action. It was the second straight stoppage win for the 35-year old former All-American wrestler, who halted Tim McKenzie in April.

“I’m a little older now, so my days are numbered, but it’s one fight at a time,” said Simpson, when asked what’s next for him.

Despite a rousing ovation from his hometown fans, Herman seemed loose as the bout began and he countered well when Simpson shot in with quick shots to the head. For his part, Simpson kept working, lifting and then dropping Herman with a thud that gave him the upper hand. Herman fought well off his back, eventually getting to his feet, but the heavy handed Simpson kept coming, and he dropped Herman with under two minutes left. Herman quickly regained his senses and made it to his feet, but Simpson again attacked with a takedown followed by ground strikes, putting an exclamation mark on a big round as Herman limped back to his corner, apparently hurting his left knee.
Herman came out for round two, but after throwing a right kick that Simpson caught, the “A-Train” followed with a right hand down the middle that missed as Herman fell to the mat. As Simpson moved in for the finish, referee Yves Lavigne had seen enough, halting the bout at 17 seconds of the second round as Herman grasped his knee in pain.

Simpson ups his record to 6-0 with the win; Herman falls to 17-7.