UFC 46: Supernatural Preview

Lightweight Bout: Josh "The Punk" Thomson vs. Hermes Franca

JOSH THOMSON: American submission wrestler, jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai practitioner, World Fighting Alliance veteran, Bushido veteran, Shogun veteran, WPKO World and North American Champion, NAKO Northwestern Champion, North American Submission Fighting Championships winner, Team Idaho founder with Trevor Prangley and Roger and Judy Neff, trains with Frank Shamrock, Javier Mendez, "Crazy" Bob Cook and members of the American Kickboxing Academy, with a 22-1-1 record in MMA, making his 2nd appearance in the UFC (1-0)

Abbreviated Fight History: Thomson fought on many locals shows in Seattle and Portland to build up his impressive 22-1-1 record. He's been fighting MMA since 1997 and lost his first bout to the Matt Hume trained Justin Stevenson by decision. Josh felt stamina was the deciding factor and vowed to never let it be the cause of a defeat again. Below are some of Thomson's more significant contests:

Thomson/ "Demon" Doug Evans: Josh finished the Gladiator Training Academy kickboxer in just over 90 seconds with a triangle choke.

Thomson/"Razor" Rob McCullough: Thomson takes a decision victory over another highly accredited kickboxer on his most high-profile card to date; the World Fighting Alliance 3 show in November of last year.

Thomson/Norihisa "Kid" Yamamoto: By his own admission, this was Thomson's most competitive and difficult fight. Josh dropped a significant amount of weight and the fight on just a few weeks notice. The bout was halted from an unintentional groin shot but Thompson is eager to test himself again against Shooto's rising star.

Thomson/Strebendt: Thomson avoids a shoot to open and quickly brings Strebendt to the mat. They work back and forth to establish control and the struggle ends with Strebendt getting a leg lock. Thomson is able to work out of it and jumps into Strebendt's guard. Gerald is relentless with his submission work but Thomson is able to stand, shake him off and jump back into guard. As they slide across the canvas to the side of the cage, Strebendt moves from a "Gomo Plata" to a kneebar but "The Punk" simply smirks and maneuvers out of each submission attempt. Thomson controls the positioning from the top but Strebendt never stops working. In an attempted kneebar by Strebendt, Thomson turns back and clubs Gerald with a backhand that wobbles him. Strebendt gets to his feet but he's shaky and Thomson knows it. Josh chases Gerald and finishes him with a series of uppercuts to the head and body midway through the first round.

Strengths And Weaknesses: Thomson's wrestling skills are his base. He trains everything but has solid ground skills and an unflappable will to win to drive him. He can finish it on the feet or on the mat, never afraid to let the fight take him where it may. However, he has already mentioned retirement and is aware his body is not going to hold up indefinitely. He has gone on record stating he experiences joint and muscle pain (from years of athletics and contact sports) daily, all the time really. At 24 years old, that's not good. Even trainer Frank Shamrock has said this kid simply goes too hard in training.

How He Can Beat Franca: With strikes. Josh seems to be well-rounded but his record shows a lot of wins via KO/TKO. Hermes can stand and trade but he always has the ground to fall back on (no pun intended). If Josh denies him the ground and walks through any submissions the way he did with Strebendt, he can get Hermes into an unappetizing striker's battle on the feet.

HERMES FRANCA: Brazilian native, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu black belt, NAGA Grappling Champion, Brazilian National Jiu-Jitsu Champion, Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Champion, HOOKnSHOOT Featherweight Champion (145lbs), World Extreme Fighting Champion, trains with Marcus and Marcelo Silveira, Ricardo Liborio, Marcus Aurelio and the rest of the American Top Team with a 8-0 record in MMA, making his 3rd appearance (2-0) in the UFC

Abbreviated Fight History: Hermes played soccer as a boy and then after discovering jiu-jitsu, began training under Marcus Aurelio in Fortaleza Brazil. After moving to Florida to live with a friend, Franca competed in the Florida State Jiu-Jitsu tournament and met Marcelo Silveira. He continued training and began fighting MMA in 2001 for the HOOK'n'SHOOT promotion. His UFC debut was last April at UFC 42. Below are some of Franca's more significant contests:

Franca/Mike Brown: Franca showed great perseverance as he was dropped to the mat after a leg kick and forced to fight from his back with a tenacious Brown on top of him. Hermes worked for the submission and hung after being slammed to sink the triangle choke midway through the 1st round.

Franca/Anthony Hamlett: The two met just over a year ago in the HOOK'n'SHOOT: New Wind show. Franca made short work of the Northwest Elite fighter, taking him out with strikes in the first round.

Franca/Yohei Suzuki: Franca came out swinging and stunned Suzuki. Once on the mat, it was just a few seconds work before his guillotine choke was sunk in. A similar approach may work well with Uno.

Franca/Ryan Diaz: Diaz came out of the corner with a flying knee strike but Franca defended and took it to the mat. A wild skirmish took place with Franca passing guard and Diaz reestablishing it. Ryan nearly kneebarred Hermes but Franca was able to punch out. Franca finished with a guillotine choke in an exciting hard-fought battle.

Franca/Richard Crunkilton: Hermes survived a big slam early and Crunkilton outlasted a fully extended kneebar but both fighters seemed to gas late in the 1st round. The 2nd round was a stand-up conflict with both fighters scoring on the feet. The 3rd and final round was a submission clinic by Franca; armbars, triangles, Omo Platas and an armlock from hell but nothing would finish Crunkilton. Franca took the decision.

Franca/Caol Uno: They exchange standing with Franca throwing a head height roundhouse kick and Uno going to the legs. They feel each other out and minor strikes lead to a clinch where knees are exchanged. Franca scores a trip takedown and lands in sidemount. They trade strikes and Franca stands to work on a leg log. Uno stands and pounds Franca with punches and leg kicks. Caol was effective holding one leg and landing punches to the body. After some damage, Hermes is able to sit up and stand and clinch in the side of the cage. Uno scores a takedown and strikes from halfguard. Franca defends from his back but he's taking heavy abuse on the mat. The first round unquestionably belonged to Uno. The second round begins with more feeling out on the feet and Franca lands the same high roundhouse kick he threw in the first round but follows it with a right to the head and jumps to guard. Uno winds up with a front headlock and Franca turns them to the mat, eventually sitting in Uno's guard. Caol fires back from the mat and quickly stands up to exchange. The pace slows as they grapple from the clinch. Franca executes and amazing hip toss that plants Uno on the canvas on the top of his head. Hermes quickly jumps on top to mount and unloads punches to the head. From halfguard, Franca's onslaught continues and he seizes Uno's back. They stand but Uno is merely absorbing punishment. Caol sets up to trade with Hermes and is met with a powerful right hand to the head that puts him to sleep.

Strengths And Weaknesses: Definitely the ground. Franca is a BJJ black belt and highly decorated champion. With 5 wins by choke, Hermes knows how to put people away on the mat. He has been working his stand-up skills with Din Thomas and boxer Herman Caicedo so his game is coming full-circle. The fruits of his labor were on display in the Uno bout where he was able to finish strong.

How He Can Beat Thomson: By submission. Thomson has shown he can pull out of the more risky leg submissions in his last bout but the level of competition is better now. Franca also showed his versatility in his last bout with good stand-up skills. If he can hang with Thomson on the feet and bring it to where he's more comfortable, an opening for submission may present itself.

MY PICK: Franca. Thomson looked solid against Strebendt but Gerald really only worked for the submission and didn't show much depth in his fight plan. Franca will keep it standing if necessary. The win over Uno with strikes has likely boosted his confidence in the stand-up game. Both are new to this level of competition but Franca, although less experienced, seems more complete. This could be a show stealer if some of the big name bouts fizzle as I fear they will. I feel it will be Franca by submission, likely a triangle choke, in the 3rd Rd.

DOWN THE ROAD:
Thomson/Joachim Hansen: The loss to Ribeiro was a set back but wins over Rumina Sato and Takanori Gomi should be worth a shot in the UFC or Pride Bushido.

Thomson/Kultar Gill: The Canadian has looked good in local shows and in the UCC. He should follow Loiseau's lead to the U.S. and get some much needed international exposure.

Franca/Vitor Ribeiro: BJJ vs. BJJ and it's possible they could meet with undefeated records.

Franca/Genki Sudo: Sudo is supposed to be back in the octagon soon. If they ever decide to actually get a title in this division again, this could be your title fight.