Local fighters fill cards at upcoming UFC events

Herman (24-11 as a pro MMA fighter) returned to Clark County with his family after five years as part owner of a gym in Colorado. He returned to the 205-pound weight division in order to spend more time training and less time watching his weight.

In Krylov (20-4), the 11th-ranked UFC light heavyweight, Herman faces a taller opponent with a karate background. Herman expects the 24-year-old from the Ukraine to come out aggressively.

“He comes out fast. He’s a young, explosive fighter,” Herman said. “It’s my job to (be aggressive) and to put the pressure on him.”

Herman began fighting professionally in 2002 and in 2006 was the runner-up on the third season of The Ultimate Fighter reality TV show.

Krylov, who turned pro in 2012, has won four fights in a row, most recently in May.

Herman said he feels sharp and ready. He is confident his conditioning and experience will prevail.

“I feel like if I’m in better shape there’s no one who can beat me,” Herman said.

This is a significant opportunity for Herman, who will be negotiating his next contract after this fight.

For Novelli, who moved to Vancouver from Alaska a decade ago, the Aug. 6 lightweight fight against David Teymor in Salt Lake City is his UFC debut after almost a decade competing at various levels of mixed martial arts.

“It just means everything,” Novelli said, noting that he quit his job three years ago to dedicate himself to fighting as a professional.

At 37, Novelli understands that he must make the most of every opportunity to fight. It is why he’s been willing to fight five times a year while compiling an 11-1-1 record as a pro.

“In this sport, you’ve got to go for it while (the opportunities) are hot,” Novelli said.

He won his first seven pro fights, and was on a four-match win streak before a draw in his most recent fight on April 30 in Miami against former UFC fighter Yosdenis Cedeno.

Novelli, who is in Hawaii for pre-fight training, said he wants to bring more attention to the strength of MMA in the Vancouver-Portland market.

“I still don’t think the area gets the credit it deserves,” for its MMA success, Novelli said.

Smith, who fights Joseph Gigliotti on the main card on Aug. 6 at Salt Lake City, was born in Vancouver and grew up in Longview. This fight is his first since June of 2015. A broken hand forced him out of a scheduled February match.