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[Doggage]

Rebuilt and refocused, Hermes Franca ready to return to winning ways | MMAjunkie.com

When Hermes Franca (19-7 MMA, 6-4 UFC) was forced to withdraw from the main event of February's UFN 17, the Brazilian lightweight was sorely disappointed.

Compounding the frustration was learning that he would be out for several months after undergoing intense surgical procedures.

But as Franca recently told TAGG Radio (TAGG Radio Network - Home of TAGG Radio & The Lights Out Show!), the official radio partner of MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com), he has already rebuilt himself one time before -- so how hard could it be to rebuild a knee?

"I lost focus on my fights and on my career," Franca said. "I was doing really well, and I lost focus."

In early 2007, Franca had won eight-straight bouts, including five consecutive bouts for Zuffa-owned organizations (three in the UFC, two in the WEC). But two-straight losses to Frankie Edgar and Sean Sherk left the personable grappler fighting for his spot in the UFC in an emotionally charged October 2008 bout with Marcus Aurelio.

"I'm not going to lie," Franca said. "I was partying too much. I forgot about a lot of things to do in my life. I lost focus. People who were by my side were the wrong people.

"Before my fight against Marcus Aurelio, I said, 'You know what? I want to bring the old Hermes Franca.' And I started to train real hard."

Franca won that bout, and hoped to build upon that success with a win over Joe Lauzon in the February UFC card. Unfortunately for Franca, the knee injury forced him to withdraw from the contest.

"It was a lot of work on my knee," Franca said. "It was like ACL and meniscus, and I was losing cartilage on my knee. It was a lot of work."

Franca also had to wait several weeks to have the procedure completed while he financed the necessary $13,000 for the work. Luckily for the Brazilian, the UFC was willing to assist.

"In that situation, I was hurt before my fight," Franca explained. "You guys know the UFC, they really take care of the fighters. (UFC President) Mr. Dana White, he helped me. He helped me a lot. He really helped me, and was a great help. (UFC co-owners) the Fertittas, they take care of the fighters."

With the organization's help, Franca said the operation was a success.

"The doctor did a great job on my knee, so now I am doing the physical therapy," Franca said. "I can't wait to come back to the octagon and fight.

"I'm going to do the rehab every single day to feel better. The doctors say in four weeks I'm going to be able to train. In two weeks, three weeks, I'm going to be able to do light jogging. In four months, I'll be ready to go."

So the eight-plus year veteran will wait to try and follow up his win over Aurelio with another successful endeavor. But mentally focused and physically repaired, Franca vows to come back even better.

"Unfortunately, I got hurt in my knee," Franca said. "But what can I do? I just want to fix it and know I'm going to come back stronger than ever."

[Noise Chopped]

"You guys know the UFC, they really take care of the fighters. (UFC President) Mr. Dana White, he helped me. He helped me a lot. He really helped me, and was a great help. (UFC co-owners) the Fertittas, they take care of the fighters."

And, of course, this won't be blown up to the same proportion it would had he said the oppisite. Look forward to seeing him back - Seems like forever since the last time he fought.

[Qball1974]

Good luck to him, hope he strings some wins together.

[whitealexander]

this will be interesting when he gets into the ring..