Hermes Franca will be challenging for the Lightweight title against champion Sean Sherk at UFC 73 “Stacked” on July 7, 2007. MMANews.com's own Chris Howie recently caught up with Franca to discuss his upcoming bout, among other topics. Below is a complete transcript of the interview.
HERMES FRANCA INTERVIEW
Chris Howie of MMANews.com: This is Chris Howie and today I will be speaking with UFC number one Lightweight contender Hermes Franca. How are you today Hermes?
Hermes Franca: Good buddy.
Chris Howie of MMANews.com: Hermes, you are a week away from your big fight with Sean Sherk, who have you been training with?
Hermes Franca: I have been training with my camp – Kurt Pellegrino, Rafael Chaves, Eduardo Guedes all good grapplers, strikers and wrestlers. We also have been working closely with Jeff Prescott, who is our wrestling coach.
MMANews.com: What have you been working on in training?
Hermes Franca: I have not really changed a lot of my training for this fight. A fight is a fight. Obviously, this is scheduled though for five rounds, so I have to be prepared for that. My cardio and conditioning has been heavier than usual. Also, since Sherk is a wrestler base, I have also been working on some things that would address that.
MMANews.com: What advantages and disadvantages do you see yourself having against Sherk?
Hermes Franca: I think this is a pretty interesting match-up. We are both good strikers and either of us can end the fight on our feet. We both also don't mind going to the ground, for different reasons, and both can end it on the ground. I always come to fight and put it all out there. So I expect Sherk to do the same. This fight will not go to a decision.
MMANews.com: You are on an eight-fight win streak, what do you think you need to do agaisnt Sherk to make it nine and win the UFC lightweight championship?
Hermes Franca: Win [laughs].
MMANews.com: Do you feel that Sherk not fighting since last November will cause him any problems?
Hermes Franca: No, if anything it has given him a chance to heal with his shoulder and work on his game even more. Sherk is a tenured fighter, he knows how to compete, I dont expect any “ring rust” on him at all. I know he trains very hard, so he will be ready for this.
MMANews.com: When did you make the move from Brazil to the USA?
Hermes Franca: I made the move on April 12th, 2000.
MMANews.com: What was the transistion of moving from South America to North America like?
Hermes Franca challenges for the UFC Lightweight title July 7th on PPV …
Hermes Franca: It was a complete 180. Another country, different culture, weather, language, it was totally different.
MMANews.com: When did you begin training and what was the first martial art you started with?
Hermes Franca: I did karate, capoeira, and played soccer. When I was 19 years old I started to do BJJ.
MMANEws.com: When did you decide to go into MMA?
Hermes Franca: I started MMA in 2001.
MMAnews.com: What fighters did you look up to when you were coming into the sport?
Hermes Franca: Minotauro [Nogueira]. He was in Florida where I train and he has a lot of determination and heart. He is one of my inspirations.
MMANews.com: Who are some fighters that you would like to get in the Octagon with?
Hermes Franca: I just do my job and that is fight. The UFC decides my opponents.
MMANews.com: Who are some of your favorite fighters to watch?
Hermes Franca: Diego Sanchez, BJ Penn, Randy Couture, Takanori Gomi, and Fedor [Emelianenko].
MMANews.com: Did you watch the latest Ultimate Fighter season? Who impressed you on the show?
Hermes Franca: Nate Diaz.
MMANews.com: Are there any sponsers you would like to thank?
Hermes Franca: Sprawl and Premier Martial Arts.
MMANews.com: And is there anything you would like to say to your fans?
Hermes Franca: Thank you for all the support and you are always in my heart.
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