NSAC reinstates Hermes Franca for UFC Fight Night 14 Frank Edgar fight

by MMAmania.com on Jul 10, 2008 9:15 AM EDT Comment 38 comments

Quoteworthy:

"A year ago I made a terrible mistake. I have paid for my mistake and I understand how wrong it was. I hope that you allow me to fight professionally because that's all I know and that's how I provide for my family. I am in Brazil and I have been praying really hard. I pray every night that you allow me the opportunity to fight again. I am willing to take any drug test at any time, on any day, wherever."

Former number one lightweight contender Hermes Franca pleads his case to the Nevada State Athletic Commission, declaring that he is clean of any banned substances and ready to return to action. The Brazilian was suspended for 12 months and fined $2,500 after an illegal steroid, Drostanolone, was detected in his system in the wake of his loss to then 155-pound champion, Sean Sherk, at UFC 73: "Stacked" in July 2007. Franca will still have to submit a urinalysis this week to prove he is indeed on the straight and narrow. And if the test comes back clean it will pave the way for him to take on Frank Edgar at UFC Fight Night 14 at "The Pearl" in the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 19.

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I hope he is allowed to fight

by Unbiased Opinion on Jul 10, 2008 9:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think they already cleared him so he’s good for the fight. Its just the same as when Sherk fought Penn. They’ll test him early to make sure he’s clean and then test him again come fight time.

by Smokes on Jul 10, 2008 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good! Yeah, he got caught cheating, but everytime I have seen him in an interview, he has always been humble and respectful. He seems like a genuinely nice guy. Everyone makes a dumb move in life. Hope he does well now that it is over.

by naturalshadow on Jul 10, 2008 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Franca is a pretty big 155’er and Edgar is a pretty small 155’er. The last time Hermes fought a good wrestler, he lost, to Sean Sherk. And the last time that Edgar fought an opponent that was bigger than him, he got dominated, by Gray Maynard.

Hopefully Hermes worked on his sprawl because he had no answer to the Sherk takedown sans two knees. Also, for Edgar’s sake, hopefully he is trying to bulk up so that he can better compete with the top of the division, otherwise, I seriously think that he should drop down to 145.

Watching a stand up battle between these two would be interesting, seeing that they both have decent standup, but its neither of thier strong points.

by ViolentMike on Jul 10, 2008 9:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hmm, well I wouldn’t go so far as to say Maynard “Dominated” in that fight, it was pretty back and forth, and definatley a good match. But yea, Gray gave him some problems. Which is too bad cause I wanted Frank to win that fight.

by O damn he got caught on Jul 10, 2008 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Edgar didn’t do a thing in that fight and just laid under Maynard for 15 minutes, or so it seemed.

by ViolentMike on Jul 10, 2008 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’d say Franca takes this fight no doubt. His strikes standing are vicious as he throws some sick knees. Comparing any LW to Sherk is hard because his takedowns are body locks and they are aggressive so its hard to find a way to defend them. I think Franca will probably have a tough fight ahead of him but he is definetly the favorite to take this fight. Ring rust may come into play but I don’t doubt that Franca has been training non stop getting ready to fight again and should be pretty solid

by Smokes on Jul 10, 2008 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Some problems? I saw a complete DOMINATION…not so sure what u were watching but it can possibly have been the same fight that I saw!

by john on Jul 10, 2008 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yea it was a unanimous decision for Maynard, is that what you mean by “DOMINATION” going the distance to win a decision in a 3 round fight? Cause last I checked Dominating would be ko, sub in the first round… and how many of those rounds did maynard win 10-8????

by O damn he got caught on Jul 10, 2008 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No DOMINATING does not mean finishing a fight! Thats just a ridiculous statement that I shouldnt even biother responding too.

If thats how u see it, so be it! I saw Domination and I am more of an Edgar fan then I am a Maynard fan, so I dont know WTF u r talking about!

by john on Jul 10, 2008 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nate Marquardt vs Dean Lister went to a decision. That fight was dominating. And, wait. John’s right. What’s the point of replying?

by ViolentMike on Jul 10, 2008 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

John thats fine, maybe you should watch that fight again, or get your eyes checked. Cause I don’t consider a back forth fight domination by any one side. Actually I think this is more of, anyone that disagrees with you or your state of mind is just wrong. Your a narrow minded dogmatic fundamentalist basically, and your not pushing your “i’m always right” attitude on me, so you can disagree but I’m still sticking to my opinion on this one.

by O damn he got caught on Jul 10, 2008 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

btw you never answered my question, in that fight which rounds were 10-8? I honestly don’t clearly remember but if I’m right then Maynard won every round 10-9. If you can come back with some scoring then i’ll concede the point, assuming maynard won 10-8 in at least one round.

by O damn he got caught on Jul 10, 2008 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Btw you never did say which round Maynard DOMINATED 10-8? If it was as bad as you make it sound where was the pool of his blood that Edgar was laying in mashed up against the cage gettin gnp’d in the face? Where was all the damage and where was the lop sided 10-8 round if he really got DOMINATED like you said.

by O damn he got caught on Jul 10, 2008 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Buddy, Frankie Edgar is a wrestler with weak standup. Gray had a reach and power advantage standing and used it when they were on thier feet. They only way Edgar wins is by taking his opponents down. He didn’t get Gray down at all. He was on his back the majority of the fight. Edgar got dominated.

by ViolentMike on Jul 11, 2008 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I will be betting on Franca in this one. Size difference and quality of opponents should make a difference in this fight!

by john on Jul 10, 2008 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Should be a great fight! I always enjoy watching Herm,es compete!

I see Hermes clipping Edgar with a Big Knee, that will be the beginning of the end for Edgar!

by john on Jul 10, 2008 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

NEVER! The Answer wins via UD, the ring rust on franca from the lay off is gonna make the difference.

by O damn he got caught on Jul 10, 2008 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just dont think Edgar can compete with the top dogs at 155 lbs and make no mistake about it, Franca is a TOP DOG!!! Edgar needs to fight at 145 lbs and go challenge Urijah Faber, I dont think he has any business fighting at 155 and it will show against a big Franca.

Down the line I would like to see a match up between 2 of the bigger lightweights in the UFC:

Hermes Franca vs. Gleison Tibau

by john on Jul 10, 2008 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What do you think about Thiago Tavares? Was he just a flash in the pan with his win over Jason Black or is he going to be here to stay in the UFC? A loss to Matt Wiman is never good.

I think that Franco/Tibau would be a great matchup. I also like Tibau vs Tavares. However, the loser of that fight’s UFC career would be in jeopardy with another loss. They are both very young.

by ViolentMike on Jul 10, 2008 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Tavares should stay in the UFC….He is a young stud with a great future. Sure Wiman lost, but in loosing he put on 1 hell of a fight. I am not a big fan of his, probably because his uni-brow seems to bother me, but his skills are legit.

He has won the majority of his fights and there is no shame in loosing the way he lost to Wiman….I dont see it as Tavares messing up, I just think Wiman stepped his game up.

IMO, he shoulod stay in the UFC for sure, and I am not really a fan!

by john on Jul 10, 2008 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No doubt that Wiman stepped his game up, he improved big time. But Mr. Handsome wasn’t even Top 25 going into that fight.

I like Thiago Tavarez and want him to string some wins together and I see boat loads of potential in Gleison Tibau. Plus, he couldn’t be at a better camp.

by ViolentMike on Jul 10, 2008 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Edgar needs to fight Urijah Faber at 145.. at 145 Frankie can be a Champ.

by PhilQNY on Jul 10, 2008 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Besides Kid Yamamotto, Edgar has one of the better chances at beating Urijah. Of course Faber would be the favorite but it will still be a great fight.

by john on Jul 10, 2008 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed….Edgar would have a great chance, but still an underdog, but I’m praying for the goldenboy vs Torres.

by ******** on Jul 10, 2008 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m rooting for Hermes, mainly for the reason I’d like to see Edgar droping to 145lbs and fight Faber, I think Edgar is just too small to be effective at this weight class right now. Even though Edgar beat Tyson I think Tyson is more suited for the 155lb weight class, looks like he’s even put on some more muscle into that compact frame.

by THORAZINE on Jul 10, 2008 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

At least this guy manned up and admitted it, unlike Sherk the crybaby.

by the_mexicutioner on Jul 10, 2008 9:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sherk didn’t take those roids… they were slipping them into his hemp bread and his water… yea..

by O damn he got caught on Jul 10, 2008 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

who are ‘they’?

by BNF's B_tch aka LINX on Jul 10, 2008 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The man, holding sherk down…

by O damn he got caught on Jul 10, 2008 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You still thik he took steriods. better do some better follow
up. check the case for the court hearing, or the lie detectors,
you guys gotta get over that crap.

by WickedAwesome on Jul 10, 2008 10:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

for some reason that post didn’t make any sense to me, I assume you’re talking about sherk? are you saying he didn’t take them and then said he’d better take them? vat?

by BNF's B_tch aka LINX on Jul 10, 2008 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Last time I checked Sherk had his sentence reduced……that is different than being found not guilty.

by Trsigley on Jul 10, 2008 10:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You know above all the steriod crap, this Hermes Edgar fight is gonna be ssssssssssssick, so lets forget this happened to hermes, and sit and watch a great lightwieght match up……but if you want you can still bad mouth sherk, that I dont mind ahahahahaha

by Josh on Jul 10, 2008 10:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs