Gerald Harris Isn’t Bitter About Being Cut, Plans To Be Back

Added on Dec 01, 2010 by John Petit in

UFC & MMA

Usually when a fighter goes 3-1 and has two ‘knock out of the night’ bonuses, has a bad the night, the UFC takes it easy on them. Gerald Harris wasn’t so lucky, and now that he is speaking about being cut, I some how like him more as an MMA fighter. I think a lot of fighters would be taking swipes at the UFC, and naming fighters who should be cut, but Harris isn’t vitriolic at all. After a decision loss to Maiquel Falcao (26-3) at UFC 123, and being cut from the organization, Harris is trying to learn from the experience.

Harris told MMAjunkie “I messed up, I had the biggest opportunity in the world, and I didn’t seize the day. I didn’t take advantage of the situation I was in. I don’t feel sorry for myself in a sense of being cut. I’m more disappointed with my performance than anything. That’s what hurts me the most.”

This isn’t Harris’ first loss, but not only had he won his last 3 in the UFC, he won his last seven as well. Harris faced Falcao, and gave the impression he may have respected his game a little too much. Harris said “Talent-wise, I compared him to Wanderlei Silva. He’s an explosive guy. He has fast hands, great jiu jitsu, great boxing, good wrestling. He’s a well-rounded guy and extremely aggressive. Anybody with 21 knockouts and two of his three submissions were from punches they’re going to bring the heat. I never questioned his cardio. I gave him so much respect, like I do all of my opponents.”

Harris understands why he was cut, and was still very thankful for the opportunities the UFC gave him while reiterating that he didn’t think the UFC made an example out of him. He continued “I didn’t show enough initiative to win the fight,” Harris said. “If it was a preliminary-card fight, I probably wouldn’t be in that much trouble, but they gave me the opportunity of a lifetime on pay-per-view, and I blew it. I really blew it. I have nothing to blame it on. I’m not blaming it on the choke. I had a great training camp. Everything was great other than the fight. I have no excuses, none at all. I don’t want to use the words ‘reality check’ or ‘wake-up call,’ but they didn’t make an example out of me. They set the standard for fighters. They’ve made it clear that they’re not going to accept that type of performance. I don’t care who you are; they don’t accept that kind of performance on the big stage.”

Harris also spoke positively on his future, and how he expects to be back in the UFC. “I was cut; I was not banned,” Harris said. “It hurts to be cut. It’s your job, and you lost your job, but I’m fine. My bills are paid. I’m glad that Dana didn’t say, ‘You will never fight in the UFC again.’ He said, ‘You looked like s—, and you need to go home and think about it.’ They just don’t have time for performances like that.” He continued “It wasn’t personal. It was just a business decision. I can’t disagree with a business decision when there’s money involved. We’re paid to perform, and I did not perform on that night. I know what I have to do. I promise you this: The next time you see me fight, you’re going to see a different person. I consider being cut a negative thing, but I’m going to try and make it a positive. This can give me an opportunity to fight in my hometown. This can give me the opportunity to make the changes I need to become a champion.”

He went on to talk about how he went into the fight with the wrong mentality, and how he wasn’t keeping in perspective how big of deal it was to be on the main card of a UFC pay per view. He said “You have to say, ‘Man, I’m in the UFC. I’m on the biggest stage of my life. I have to step my game up.’ I didn’t do that. Being in the UFC alone is like being in the playoffs or March Madness. You have to step your game up. I’m a great fighter, but I did not step my game up that night. I’m going to make changes, and the next time everybody sees me fight, they’ll notice the changes.”

There has been a huge outcry from fans all over the web who feel the reaction was to harsh. Many twitter campaigns have popped up calling for White to reinstate Harris. Harris certainly has noticed the reaction, and said the response has helped him get through a tough time. “I appreciate all the support from the fans. The response was amazing and meant a lot to me.”

Harris has not yet made a decision on where he will fight next.