Interview with former UFC Lightweight standout Hermes Franca

Former UFC Lightweight standout Hermes Franca (19-8) returns to action this Friday for the first time since his September loss to Tyson Griffin. Hermes will be taking on Eric Wisely (13-4) in the co-main event at MaxFights DM in Des Moines, Iowa. Franca is no doubt looking forward to getting back on the winning track. We caught up with the former UFC #1 contender.

Fight Trader: You’re fighting Eric Wisely this Friday night down in Iowa. Give me your thoughts on the fight.

Hermes Franca: I don’t know Eric too well. I’ve seen a couple of his fights. He’s a brawler who has good stand up and is a good Jiu Jitsu guy. I don’t want any surprises, so I’m training very hard for this fight. I don’t want to make any mistakes.

Fight Trader: Most recently, you were released by the UFC following your loss at the hands of Tyson Griffin. What transpired?

HF: I can’t complain. Against Tyson, I didn’t make weight and to tell you the truth, I didn’t fight the way I was supposed to fight. I have no complaints. After fighting Tyson, it opened up my eyes, because it showed me I can’t fight being out of shape especially against a guy like Tyson Griffin a big name. The fight just opened my eyes and showed me to train even harder and be ready.

FT: Following your loss to Sean Sherk for the UFC Lightweight title at UFC 73, you tested positive for steroids what transpired there?

HF: I got hurt before and I made a stupid mistake. To tell you the truth, I’m glad I didn’t win the fight. I had a couple of opportunities to lock on some submissions, but thank God I didn’t win the fight. Can you imagine if I would have won the fight and had to give up the belt? It took me like a year to get back, but I told the truth. I had to be a man in the good times and bad times. I was back fighting against Frankie Edgar and Marcus Aurelio. We are fighters. I’ve been doing Jiu Jitsu since 1994 and fighting in mma since 2001, and it was the first time I have gotten hurt. It took me over 15 years to get hurt. I just wanted to get my body healthy.

FT: You were at American Top Team for some time. Why did you decide to leave ATT?

HF: It wasn’t just me. A lot of things happened. I wasn’t feeling comfortable. When you’re winning everything is fine and beautiful. When you lose, bad things happen and people go away. Right now, I’m just focused on myself, opening my own gym, teaching, and keep growing. I’m fighting because I want to prove to myself that I am back.

FT: Let’s discuss your development as a fighter. You were a ground specialist to begin your career, but you have evolved year after year.

HF: Hermes Franca came to the United States with only 300 dollars in his pocket. I did hard work like working at a car wash and in construction. God is always by my side. I started training and I met a couple of fighters and started to do mma and teaching full time. In 2002, I was invited to fight in the UFC in my hometown of Miami.

FT: Who do you admire in the sport?

HF: I have two favorite fighters who are awesome. Renzo Gracie just signed with the UFC and is a good coach, teacher, and fighter. He’s bad ass. The second is Antonio “Minotauro” Nogueria he’s a nice guy and a good fighter. I like to follow him in every way. I think he’s going to finish Cain Velazquez, submit Brock Lesnar, and beat Frank Mir if he were to fight him again.

FT: Who have you been training with in preparation for your fight against Eric Wisely?

HF: I was at Throwdown in San Diego, trained with Saulo Ribero, three weeks before my fight; I came to Des Moines to train with Josh Neer at the Des Moines MMA. It’s just a little cold over here.

FT: Asssuming you get past Eric Wisely, what is next for Hermes Franca?

HF: I have had a couple of calls, but I have opportunities to fight in other places. I don’t want to fight in just one place. I don’t want to be in a big show for 3 or 4 fights. I want to go slow, and when I’m ready to get back to the big show of the UFC, Strikeforce, or Dream. That is when I’ll go back to those organizations. For right now, I want to fight in some smaller level shows, so I can focus on my school. I opened my own school in Liverpool, New York and you can visit us online at
www. eastwestcombatclub.com. I love to teach. All my students are from New York. Sometimes when you fight on a big show, you have to be away from your school. I don’t want to be away from my school right now.

FT: You have had big wins during the course of your career having defeated Caol Uno, Jamie Varner and Mike Brown. What is the most gratifying victory of your career?

HF: To tell you the truth, I think it was my first fight. The fight was against Mike Brown. Sometimes when you fight, you don’t make a lot of money. When you love to do what you do, it’s priceless. I think I only made $150 to win. When the referee raises your hand, it’s priceless. No one can buy that kind of feeling.

FT: Can you give me a prediction for your fight against Eric Wisely.

HF: Submission first round. I’d like to thank all my fans very much for the support. I fight for my fans. They are with you no matter what. To all my students, I really appreciate them for all there support. I’d like to thank my family also, because they are by my side at all times. Be sure to check out my school and visit us online at www.eastwestcombatclub.com

By: Ray Flores