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[Bullock]

Undefeated John Franchi added to WEC featherweight division :Five Ounces of Pain

World Extreme Cagefighting has been very active as of late when it comes to signing new talent and FiveOuncesOfPain.com has learned that undefeated featherweight prospect John Franchi is the latest to be added to the WEC roster.

Franchi has signed a five fight deal with the promotion, according to Gary Marino of GVM Sports Management, speaking to Five Ounces of Pain.

Trained by his co-manager, Ryan Ciotoli of Bomb Squad MMA in New York, Franchi will make his WEC debut on Sept. 10 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. against Jose Aldo.

The Northeastern-based Franchi made his pro debut on October 27, 2007, defeating Richard Miner via first round TKO while competing under the Extreme Fighting International banner in Springfield, Massachusetts. He improved his record to 2-0 last year when he submitted Brian Conrad on a Full Force Productions show this past December with an armbar at 2:15 of round 1.

In 2008, Franchi took a step up competing for Joe Cavallaro’s World Championship Fighting promotion in Massachusetts, where recorded a second round TKO over Justin Homsey at 0:40 of round 2 in February. The win earned Franchi a shot with the International Fight League during the promotion’s May 19 show. In that bout, Franchi needed just 2:19 to submit Frank Latina with a rear naked choke.

This has been a big week for GVM Sports Management and the Bomb Squad, as Marino confirmed that Jon Jones has signed a four fight deal with the UFC and will make his debut next week at UFC 87 in Minnesota as an injury replacement for Tomasz Drwal in a light heavyweight bout against Andre Gusmao.

The WEC's lighter divisions just keep getting better and better. Too bad all the other weights don't get the same love due to the UFC snatching them up. I really hope the UFC merges the higher weights, as rumored.

[Dimson]

Originally Posted by Bullock

Undefeated John Franchi added to WEC featherweight division :Five Ounces of Pain




The WEC's lighter divisions just keep getting better and better. Too bad all the other weights don't get the same love due to the UFC snatching them up. I really hope the UFC merges the higher weights, as rumored.

Yeah I agree. I think they need to hurry up and bring the top guuys up in the heavier divisons and then use what is left of those divisions as a farm league. Instead of cutting a guy when he loses, just send him to the WEC to get more experience. I would love to see Corey Hill go down to the WEC and wreck some havoc while getting some exp. And not to mention I think I have seen just one boring WEC fight ever. As far as moving guys from the WEC to the UFC. I would bring up every champ(LW and up of course) after they have had 3-4 defences. Then hold a mini touny for the vacant belt.

[Diegonightmare]

To me it all depends on what they have in mind for the WEC in a longer term sense.

Are they trying (or wanting, at least) to build it up such that it can be broadcast on PPV and get decent buys?

If so, I think they are going to want varied weight classes; as exciting as the lighter weights are I don't think you can keep the broad range of interest that you want to hold, with just FW and LW, even maybe WW. You need the top 3 weights also.

Either way I love the WEC and enjoy watching the new talent they are bringing in, just as other orgs. With the growth of MMA, we are seeing new exciting promising young talents at a faster clip than ever before.