Ed Herman is ‘pretty positive’ Shields was on PEDs at UFC 150

CREDIT: cagereligion.com

Ed “Short Fuse” Herman is not shy about calling out his colleagues.

He made that perfectly clear in a recent interview with Bloody Elbow, where he stated he was “pretty positive” his UFC 150 opponent, Jake Shields, was using some sort of performance-enhancing drug.

The fight, which was ruled a no contest after Shields tested positive for a banned substance post-fight, stands as a smudge in a three-fight winning streak under the UFC banner for Herman.

Concerning Shields’ potential usage, Herman said,

I think Colorado is one of the HIPAA privacy states where they weren’t allowed to release what he tested positive for. I’m pretty sure it was for some type of performance enhancing substance, just by looking at his physique going in to the fight. He looked pretty puffed up and exhibited the common signs. As an athlete, you can recognize those signs. I can’t guarantee it, but I’m pretty positive that it was for some kind of performance enhancing drug. If it really was for marijuana, it’s a lot easier for a guy to come right out and say, ‘I smoked a joint, sorry.’ You get a little less criticism that way than if you cheated and used a performance enhancer.

By that assessment, it’s pretty easy to agree with Herman, but the full details will likely never be known. Still, the fight looks nasty on Herman’s record, and that is reflected in the rankings—a fact Herman is none too happy about.

I noticed a significant drop in my standing in the rankings on several sites after the Shields fight. I feel that if he wasn’t cheating, and you know, taking the Superman stuff, it would have been a different fight. Even though it was turned into a no contest, my rank has still come down.

You have to feel for “Short Fuse” where that is concerned, but a great (and dangerous) opportunity awaits him in the form of Strikeforce middleweight standout Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza at Strikeforce’s final event on Jan. 12.

A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, “Jacare” is a scary grappler, and his standup is only getting better each time he steps into the cage.

Because of this, Herman should worry less about Shields’ happy juice and more about the problem that awaits him in Oklahoma City.