Hermes Franca
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Hermes Franca | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Statistics | |
| Height | 5 ft. 6 in. (168 cm) |
| Weight | 155 lb. (70 kg) |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Born | August 26, 1974 |
| Fighting out of | Jupiter, Florida |
| Town of birth | Fortaleza, Brazil |
| Team/Association | Team Hermes Franca[1] |
| Fighting style | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Wins | 18 |
| By knockout | 6 |
| By submission | 11 |
| Losses | 6 |
| Draws | 0 |
Hermes Franca-Barros (born August 26, 1974), known as Hermes Franca, is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently fighting at Lightweight for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Contents |
[edit] Mixed martial arts career
Franca made his UFC debut at UFC 42, defeating Richard Crunkilton by unanimous decision. He went on to win his next UFC fight against Caol Uno (who narrowly missed the lightweight championship after drawing with B.J. Penn) at UFC 44 before losing a majority decision to Josh Thomson at UFC 46.
His next outing in the UFC, against Yves Edwards, was unsuccessful, losing the fight by split decision. Edwards would once again beat Franca by split decision in their encounter at Euphoria: USA vs. World in 2005, starting what would be a very bad year – marked with three straight losses – for the Brazilian fighter.
However, 2006 would prove to be a much better year for Franca. In March, he toppled WEC champion Gabe Ruediger to capture the WEC Lightweight championship, and then knocked out Team Quest fighter Ryan Schultz to take the AFC Lightweight championship in April.
Franca would continue his winning streak against the likes of Toby Imada and Brandon Olsen before signing a contract to fight Roger Huerta at UFC 61 in July. Although Franca's opponent was changed – Huerta pulled out due to injury, with UFC newcomer Joe Jordan taking his place – Franca still reigned successful in his UFC return, stopping Jordan by triangle choke submission in the third round.
On August 4, 2006, it was revealed that Franca had accepted a late-notice fight with Jamie Varner at UFC 62. Franca comes in as a late replacement for Spencer Fisher, who injured his back while preparing for the fight. [1] Despite accepting the fight on short notice, Franca reigned victorious, catching Varner in an armbar submission in the third round.
Franca successfully defended his WEC Lightweight championship against Nathan Diaz, brother of UFC veteran Nick Diaz, at WEC 24 on October 12, extending Franca's win streak in 2006 to seven consecutive victories.
Franca won his fight against Spencer Fisher at UFC Fight Night 8 by TKO in the second round; after his victory he got down on his knees (à la Georges St. Pierre) and begged UFC President Dana White to grant him a title shot against Sean Sherk. During the post-fight press conference White confirmed that Franca would be given a title shot at UFC 73[2]. Franca lost to Sean Sherk by unanimous decision. On July 19, 2007 the California State Athletic Commission announced Franca had tested positive for the banned steroid Drostanolone in a post-fight drug test following his championship fight at UFC 73. He has been suspended from competing in California until July 5, 2008 and has been fined $2,500.[3]
He has since left The Armory and has been removed from their main site as an instructor (http://amma.tv/).
Hermes spent early January 2008 helping BJ Penn train for his title defence against Joe Stevenson.[4]
[edit] Personal life
Hermes has a four year old son with his wife. [5] Hermes lost his father when he was 14. He has a new son who was born on May 18 2008.[6]
[edit] Championships
- WEC Lightweight Championship
[edit] MMA record
| 18 Wins (6 TKO's, 11 submission, 1 decision), 6 Losses (1 (T)KOs, 5 Decisions)[7] | |||||||
| Result | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round, Time | Notes | |
| Loss | Sean Sherk | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC 73: Stacked | 7/7/2007 | 5, 5:00 | For UFC Lightweight Championship. Both fighters later tested positive for banned substances | |
| Win | Spencer Fisher | TKO (Strikes) | UFC Fight Night 8 | 1/25/2007 | 2, 4:03 | ||
| Win | Nathan Diaz | Submission (Armbar) | WEC 24: Full Force | 10/12/2006 | 2, 2:46 | Defended WEC Lightweight Championship. Vacated title after bout | |
| Win | Jamie Varner | Submission (Armbar) | UFC 62: Liddell vs Sobral | 8/26/2006 | 3, 3:31 | ||
| Win | Joe Jordan | Submission (Triangle Choke) | UFC 61: Bitter Rivals | 7/8/2006 | 3, 0:47 | ||
| Win | Brandon Olsen | Submission (Armbar) | WEC 21: Tapout | 6/15/2006 | 1, 0:40 | Defended WEC Lightweight Championship | |
| Win | Toby Imada | Submission (Armbar) | TC 14: Throwdown | 5/13/2006 | 1, 0:53 | ||
| Win | Ryan Schultz | KO | AFC 16: Absolute Fighting Championships 16 | 4/22/2006 | 1, 3:30 | ||
| Win | Gabe Ruediger | KO (Punches) | WEC 19: Undisputed | 3/17/2006 | 1, 0:36 | Won WEC Lightweight Championship | |
| Loss | Koutetsu Boku | Decision (Majority) | K-1 Hero's 3 | 9/7/2005 | 2, 5:00 | ||
| Loss | Ray Cooper | KO (Punches) | Shooto Hawaii: Unleashed | 3/25/2005 | 1, 2:57 | ||
| Loss | Yves Edwards | Decision (Split) | Euphoria: USA vs World | 2/26/2005 | 3, 5:00 | ||
| Win | Manny Reyes Jr. | KO | AFC 10: Absolute Fighting Championships 10 | 10/30/2004 | 1, 0:37 | ||
| Win | Phil Johns | Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | Euphoria: Road to the Titles | 10/15/2004 | 1, 0:47 | ||
| Loss | Yves Edwards | Decision (Split) | UFC 47: It's On | 4/2/2004 | 3, 5:00 | ||
| Loss | Josh Thomson | Decision (Majority) | UFC 46: Supernatural | 1/31/2004 | 3, 5:00 | ||
| Win | Caol Uno | KO (Punch) | UFC 44: Undisputed | 9/26/2003 | 2, 2:46 | ||
| Win | Richard Crunkilton | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC 42: Sudden Impact | 4/25/2003 | 3, 5:00 | ||
| Win | Ryan Diaz | Submission (Guillotine Choke) | HOOKnSHOOT: Absolute Fighting Championships | 1 12/13/2002 | 1, 4:23 | ||
| Win | Anthony Hamlett | TKO (Punches) | HOOKnSHOOT: New Wind | 9/7/2002 | 1 | ||
| Win | Yohei Suzuki | Submission (Guillotine Choke) | HOOKnSHOOT: Relentless | 5/25/2002 | 1, 1:04 | ||
| Win | Don Kaecher | Submission (Triangle Choke) | WEF 12: World Extreme Fighting 12 | 5/11/2002 | 2, 2:00 | ||
| Win | Mike Willus | Submission (Triangle Choke) | HOOKnSHOOT: Overdrive | 3/9/2002 | 1, 4:00 | ||
| Win | Mike Thomas Brown | Submission (Triangle Choke) | HOOKnSHOOT: Kings 1 | 11/17/2001 | 1, 2:21 | ||
[edit] References
- ^ MMA WEEKLY - Your #1 Source for Daily MMA News, Interviews, Multimedia, and More: - FRANCA LEAVES THE ARMORY, STARTING NEW TEAM
- ^ The World is Ready for the UFC - UFC 73 on July 7th.. UFC.com (2007-05-05). Retrieved on 2007-05-05.
- ^ Sean Sherk, Hermes Franca Test Positive for Steroids | UFC Daily
- ^ Venga, Gleidson (January 19, 2008). Franca Discusses Penn's Preparation. Sherdog.com. Retrieved on Januar 20, 2008.
- ^ Article detailing his upcoming fight with Sean Sherk at UFC 73
- ^ Article detailing his upcoming fight with Sean Sherk at UFC 73
- ^ Professional MMA record. Sherdog.com.
