from MMA WEEKLY (http://www.mmaweekly.com/index.html)

MMAWeekly: Thanks Heath for taking the time to talk with MMAWeekly. As Fans are still shocked about the news of DSE President Morishita, is there anything you would like to say in regard to the current PRIDE situation?

Heath Herring: Well I'd definitely like to start out by saying that I pass my condolences and prayers go out to his family. I always got along well with Mr. Morishita and had a good rapport with him. I was saddened to hear about his passing.

MMAWeekly: As many fans were. Now Heath, can you tell us a bit about your MMA background? What first got you involved with the sport?

Heath: As far as any martial arts background I really don't have any formal training. My introduction to fighting was when I began wrestling my senior year in high school and began to form an interest in the sport.

MMAWeekly: And today? Who are you currently training and working with?

Heath: Now I train in Breda, the Netherlands with Cor Hemmers.

MMAWeekly: Can you tell us your thoughts on your performance against Fedor? What did you learn from that fight?

Heath: Right off the bat I'd have to say that I wasn't happy with the outcome of the fight, I'd be crazy not to. To be honest I felt that I made too big of a mistake against too good of a fighter and I paid the price for it. As far as things learned, I'll have to admit that it's still under assessment, but I think that the main thing that I brought out of that fight was that I can not come out too flat and expect to "warm up" as the fight progresses.

MMAWeekly: What is your assessment overall of Fedor?

Heath: Like I stated earlier I feel I came out too "flat" for lack of a better term and, Fedor was able to capitalize upon that, dealing out some damage that took me most of the round to fight through, and unfortunately by the time that I came back to, the round had ended and the doctor found the cut too deep to allow the contest to continue.

MMAWeekly: When you look over your weight division and there are a lot of impressive names out there. We asked fans if they had any questions for you Heath and most were interested on your thoughts of your competition and exciting division. Any comments overall?

Heath: Honestly, I'm really excited that I'm in such a competitive weight class and for such a world-class organization such as Pride. I feel honestly that the majority of the fighters on this level have the ability beat any of the others on any given day thereby making the events always exciting for the fans who can never be quite certain of the outcome.

MMAWeekly: How would you rank the Top Five Heavyweights in the World?

Heath: I'll leave that up to ya'll.

MMAWeekly: How do you feel you would match up in a rematch with Nogueira?

Heath: Well I think if you watch our last fight you can't help but say that I match up well against him. So I think that should answer the question.

MMAWeekly: Fair enough. Then let me ask you this, what could you do differently this time to defeat Nogueira?

Heath: Have to worry about that when the time comes, till then I need to concentrate on the obstacles before me.

MMAWeekly: As a fighter that has experience with several promotions. Who were the five toughest opponents you have faced thus far in your career?

Heath: That's really a loaded question so I'll just have to leave it blank. I fought LOTS of people in the short time that I've been competing and I can't say that any of them just rolled over and died.

MMAWeekly: Who in your mind is the most overlooked/underrated fighter in the world today?

Heath: Heck if I know!

MMAWeekly: A number of fighters have been finding success in K-1. Have you been approached to and/or would you consider fighting in K-1?

Heath: I have been approached and we'll just have to see what the future holds. Never say never.

MMAWeekly: Have you had any offers or given any thought to competing in the U.S., particularly in the UFC?

Heath: I'd LOVE to get to come back and fight in the States! For me it'd be like getting a free ticket home! Right now though I can't think of anything that is on the horizon so far as me getting to compete again in the States, but if enough fans ask for it I'm sure the promoters will arrange it. Hint, Hint.

MMAWeekly: I am sure fans heard that hint loud and clear. What are your thoughts about fighting in the Octagon, is it a possibility?

Heath: Like I said earlier, never say never.

MMAWeekly: How do you feel you stack up against the UFC's current Heavyweights,
especially Rodriguez? and fighting in the Cage?

Heath: Haven't ducked a fight yet so if we were offered we'd accept, as always. As far as the cage is concerned, let's just say that it wouldn't be my first rodeo boys.

MMAWeekly: With so much success already in your young career, what are your goals overall in this sport?

Heath: My goal of course, is to become the undisputed Heavyweight champion and, then go buy a ranch down in Texas, grow old and tell my grandchildren stories about the crazy things their Granddad used to do!

MMAWeekly: What stories those will be. Now if did not ask this question I would be in trouble. Where do you come up with your hairstyles for the fights? How long does it take?

Heath: Probably the #1 question that I get! Actually, I have very little to do with the hairstyles. They're all done by my barber named Ali who owns a barber shop here in Breda. He really enjoys making up the styles and I'm pretty easy about letting him do whatever he wants.

MMAWeekly: Lastly, anything you would like to say to your fans?

Heath: Yes, I'd like to say thank you for supporting the sport and me and for all the kind words and praise that I've received from ya'll over the years. Also I'd like to extend a special word of thanks for all of those that offered up prayers for me after the last fight, it meant a lot to me and my family to hear that others cared that much.

MMAWeekly: Well Heath, as a huge fan I would like to say thanks again for taking the time to talk with MMAWeekly. The best of luck to you on all future endeavors