Belcher's Improved Muay Thai Earns SD Over Herman

Middleweight “The Talent” Alan Belcher (13-5) nearly let a “W” slip away in a split decision victory over “Short Fuse” Ed Herman (14-7) Wednesday night in Omaha.

OVer three rounds, there was no question Belcher won the stand-up with a noticeably sharper Muay Thai style that peppered Herman with jabs, straight rights, and bone-rattling leg kicks.

But, Belcher got cocky in every round and surrendered the takedown to “Short Fuse”.

In the first, Herman closed the round working a D’Arce choke at the fence.  Belcher worked up the fence; but, Herman put him back on his back and returned to the D’Arce choke attempt until the round ended.

In the second round, Belcher zapped Herman with a lead left hook, followed by a leg kick, and a striaght right a few moments later that backed Herman to the fence.

In the final round, Belcher grazed Herman with a head kick, then threw a leg kick Herman caught and used to dump Belcher on his ass.  Herman mounted and landed shots until the bell sounded.

Judges scored the fight 29-28 for Belcher twice and 29-28 for Herman once.