Hermes Franca

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Hermes Franca

Statistics
Height	5 ft. 6 in. (168 cm)
Weight	155 lb. (70 kg)
Nationality	Brazilian
Born	August 26, 1974 (1974-08-26) (age 33)
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.

1 Mixed martial arts career
2 Personal life
3 Championships
4 MMA record
5 References
6 See also
7 External links

[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