UFC 131: 5 Reasons Why Dave Herman Is UFC's Most Exciting New Heavyweight

Heavyweight fighter Dave Herman (20-2), who is also known as "Pee-Wee," will be making his UFC debut this weekend, which features a main event between heavyweight powerhouse-punchers Junior Dos Santos and Shane Carwin.

Herman's opponent, Jon Olav Einemo (6-1), hasn't fought since 2006 when he defeated James Thompson. His only loss is to Fabricio Werdum.

The fight is being overlooked in many ways, and it may just turn out to be the fight of the night. Herman may be the most exciting heavyweight on the card, and that is saying a lot.

He is one of the best up-and-coming fighters to be added to the UFC roster, and these are five reasons why you should pay attention to him on Saturday.

No. 5: He Has Only Been to a Decision Once in His 22-Fight Career

With 20 victories under his belt and only two defeats, Herman can credit his knockout power and athleticism to the 14 knockouts his record shows. It's going to be a painful three rounds for anyone who takes him the distance—and not many people do.

His last fight against Yoshihiro Nakao was his first to go to a decision, and he won that one as well.

The 26-year-old has fought and knocked out many opponents in different organizations, including Sengoku, Shark Fights, Bellator, EliteXC and ShoXC.

He has big KO wins over Don Frye, Ron Waterman, Jim York and Kerry Schall.

No. 4: Axe Kicks from the Ground?

Even though he won't be allowed to throw heel-kicks from the ground in the UFC, how does a guy who was previously training out of his house develop a technique that brutal and effective?

Credit his size as a 6'5" heavyweight who weighs 241 pounds. He knows how to use it to his advantage, and he has in many of his fights. He won his first 15 bouts all by submission or knockout.

After criticism from fans for not training out of a well-known camp, Herman moved to Team Quest, which means he will be training with guys like Dan Henderson, Jason "Mayhem" Miller and Chael Sonnen.

No. 3: Is He The Heavyweight Version of Anthony Pettis?

You don't have to look far to see some spectacular kicks from Herman.

In his fight with Ron Waterman, he threw a jumping round-house kick that landed right on Waterman's face. When was the last time you saw a heavyweight do that?

He wasn't able to knock him out with it, but he eventually did a minute later with some brutal ground and pound.

Heavyweight fighter Pat Barry may be the closest to being as dynamic of a striker as Herman, and he is six inches shorter and has a former K1 kickboxing background.

No. 2: He's Not Afraid to Mix It Up

When Herman took on Rameau Theirry Sokoudjou in 2010, he was handling the former UFC light-heavyweight fighter before he was disqualified for throwing an illegal knee in the second round.

Sokoudjou, who is one of the most powerful strikers in the division, didn't make Herman cautious in the opening round. "Pee Wee" attacked him with flying knees, spinning round-house kicks, kneebar attempts and elbows.

If he brings this type of relentless attack into the Octagon, it may not always equal a victory, but it will make him one of the division's fan favorites

No. 1: Knees

Herman is the owner of some of the division's most ruthless knee attacks.

He used them to defeat former UFC fighter Kerry Schall in a 2008 ShoXC main event.

They leave him open for strikes, but this makes for lots of drama, and that's what fans love to see in every fight.

Herman's only real defeat was a 2009 loss to Choi Mu Bae when he gassed out in the second round. This made him re-evaluate his career, and he moved out of his training facility—his basement—and started to train with some of the best fighters in the world at Team Quest.

Expect Herman to look better than ever on Saturday.

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