Dave "Pee Wee" Herman: Exclusive Interview

Between December of 2006 and November of 2008, Dave “Pee Wee” Herman had gained victories in all of his bouts. On the fourth day of 2009, Herman finally felt the agony of defeat, and it changed him for the better.

While Herman continued to win fight after fight, leading to a remarkable 13 fight winning streak, his preparation was not at the level necessary to continue his climb in mixed martial arts.

Four months after his first taste of defeat, Herman stormed through Josh Barnes to a TKO victory at Bellator Fighting Championships 4. Perhaps a new and lengthy winning streak was about to begin.

Yet with another victory, Herman has gained attention in the fighting community, along with gaining stiffer competition for future fights.

The second part of a possible winning streak begins with a man with over a decade’s worth of experience. At 43, Don Frye has undoubtedly seen it all in the sport.

At almost 20 years younger than Frye, Herman still has a lot to prove, as the two men are set to meet at Shark Fights 6, taking place on Sept. 12.

Serving as the main event of the evening, Frye vs. Herman will undoubtedly give the judges a break, as neither man is fond of going to a decision. Fyre has gone to the scorecards four times throughout his career. Herman has not gone once.

A knockout is in order for this fight, and it will cap off the evening with a bang, as Shark Fights presents its sixth event.

For Frye, it is a night to prove that his age cannot hold him back, as he looks to continue his legacy. For Herman, it is a night to begin his own legacy. Through better training, a new camp, and the undying will to succeed, Herman plans to do just that.

Dave Herman sat down for an interview discussing his latest fight and all things MMA. The interview transcript is available below, detailing his thoughts on Don Frye, what he wants his new nickname to be, and what he thinks Kimbo Slice’s chances are on “The Ultimate Fighter”.

Nate Lawson: Well I’ll begin with your next fight, which is at Shark Fights where you will be fighting Don Frye. What is it like to fight a guy like Frye, who has been fighting professionally since 1996?

Dave Herman: I’m pretty excited about it. He definitely has a lot of experience and he’s been fighting a while. I don’t really know what it’s like yet. I’ll know a little better probably on Sunday.

Nate Lawson: How has the training for this fight been compared to your previous fight?, considering Frye is quite notable figure in mixed martial arts.

Dave Herman: Well, I switched my training a little. Just, you know, trying different things out. See what works best for me, but training wise I really didn’t do anything different just for this fight. It was kind of, in general, it didn’t matter who I would be fighting.

Nate Lawson: Frye is almost 20 years older than you. Do you see this as a disadvantage because of his experience, or an advantage due to your youth?

Dave Herman: Man, I mean it’s both. He definitely has more experience, but I’ve got youth on my side, so it’s kind of a split.

Nate Lawson: You have never once went to a decision, and Frye as only gone to a decision like four times. And you have only entered the third round once, and it was pretty quick. I am sure in your eyes the judges can take the night off for your fight, but how do you see yourself winning this fight in specific?

Dave Herman: I am more than happy to win any way he will let me, but I don’t see it going to a decision either.

Nate Lawson: Many fighters say that you learn much more from a loss than from a win. What did you learn after your second round defeat to Choi Mu Bae? How did that loss benefit you? What was the good you found?

Dave Herman: Well, once it happened, I actually moved to Nashville and I am now training at Nashville MMA. Prior to that I was not really training, just kind of exercising and working out at my house.

Nate Lawson: You are undoubtedly looking to launch another impressive winning streak. Aside from that, what are your goals for the rest of 2009, besides beating Don Frye?

Dave Herman: Well, I would really like to fight in Japan again on Sengoku if I can. Or they can book really another fight anywhere. I’m open to anything.

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