UFC on ESPN 39: Chase Sherman explains what helped him snap four-fight skid

LAS VEGAS – Chase Sherman picked up a much-needed win on Saturday night.

The UFC heavyweight veteran snapped a four-fight losing skid at UFC on ESPN 39. Sherman (16-10 MMA, 4-9 UFC) scored a TKO over Jared Vanderaa in the third round of their main card contest. The victory was not only his first in over two years, but it also earned him a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.

According to Sherman, this key win is partly a product of addressing and focusing on the mental aspect of the fight game.

“I always told people that it’s the thing between my ears that’s been holding me back because there are very few heavyweights who are as good of athletes as I am,” Sherman told reporters at the UFC on ESPN 39 post-fight news conference. “I believe it, I believe it.”

He later added, “This is a mental game. How many fighters do you know who are sitting back and training their minds as much as they’re training their body? You can’t tell me this isn’t 100 percent mental because it is. Most individual sports are.”

As far as what’s next, Sherman has competed in his past five bouts at the UFC Apex and wants a change up. The 32-year-old is desperate to fight in front of a crowd once again.

“I want to fight in Texas, I want to fight anywhere south of Mason-Dixon,” Sherman said. “From Texas to Florida, I want to fight in front of a f*cking crowd. It’s been over two years, three years since I’ve fought in front of a crowd.

“And I want to fight on a pay-per-view card. I fought only on one pay-per-view card, and I got Fight of the Night. I want my spine to tingle when I walk out in front of a crowd.”