Herman-Nakao Slated for WVR 'Soul of Fight'

Another bout has been added to World Victory Road's year-end show “Soul of Fight,” as Bellator Fighting Championships veteran Dave Herman will take on former Pride Fighting Championships competitor Yoshihiro Nakao in a heavyweight tilt.

The event will go down on Dec. 30 from the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo. The matchup was first reported by MMAFighting.com.

Herman has compiled a solid 19 career victories since he began his career in 2006, holding 14 of those wins by knockout. In addition to going undefeated in two fights with Bellator, the 26-year-old also had an unbeaten run in the now-defunct EliteXC organization, compiling a perfect 3-0 record. He made his World Victory Road debut at Sengoku no Ran 2009, where he was knocked out by Choi Mu Bae in the second round. Herman holds notable victories over veterans Don Frye and Ron Waterman.

Though he's been fighting since 2003, Nakao's most famous MMA moment occurred before bell had even rung. Prior to a New Year's Eve clash with Heath Herring at K-1 Premium Dynamite!! in 2005, Nakao planted a kiss on the lips of the “Texas Crazy Horse,” who in turn promptly knocked Nakao out with a shot to his chops. The bout was ruled a no-contest.

Initially, WVR was speculated to be working in conjunction with Dream for a New Year's Eve show like last year, but it was announced earlier this month that the Japanese promotions would put on separate events. Also scheduled for “Soul of Fight” is the welterweight grand prix final between Yasubey Enomoto and Keita Nakamura, as well as both bantamweight tournament semifinal bouts.