After losing three in a row in 2005, Franca roared back in 2006 to finish seven straight opponents (five submissions, two KOs). Fisher has lost just one bout in nearly three years and that was by split decision.
UFC lightweight king Sean Sherk (Pictures) should be tuning in because his next opponent could be the winner of this fight.
Franca is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and trains as part of The Armory with Paulo Dantas (Pictures), Matt Wiman (Pictures) and Kurt Pellegrino (Pictures). He began training in jiu-jitsu under Marcus Aurelio in Brazil.
Hermes has held numerous titles, including NAGA Grappling Champion, Brazilian National jiu-jitsu Champion, Pan American jiu-jitsu Champion, HOOKnSHOOT featherweight champion (145-pounds), World Extreme Fighting Champion and World Extreme Cagefighting Champion. He carries a professional MMA record of 17-5-0.
Hermes’ career in the UFC dates back to 2003 when he defeated Richard Crunkilton (Pictures) by decision. He followed it with a knockout of Caol Uno (Pictures). Franca lost back-to-back decisions to Josh Thomson (Pictures) and Yves Edwards (Pictures). After two years fighting around the globe he returned to the Octagon and choked out Joe Jordan (Pictures) in the third round of their bout. Franca finished his 2006 UFC campaign with a submission win over Joey Varner. A second-round submission over Nathan Diaz (Pictures) in the WEC rounded out a stellar year.
Fisher is a Miletich Fighting Systems lightweight with a pro MMA record of 19-2-0. He has held the Victory Championships middleweight title and the IFC middleweight title. The North Carolinian left everything he had and moved to Iowa to train with Miletich and crew. He excelled at boxing and traditional martial arts and felt MMA was his calling.
Fisher began fighting MMA in 2002 and fought in the IFC, Super Brawl and other small shows before making his UFC debut in 2005, when he derailed rising star Thiago Alves (Pictures). Fisher stopped talented submission fighter Aaron Riley (Pictures) to start 2006.
In March he was dealt a split decision loss to Canadian Sam Stout (Pictures) after stepping up on short notice. Fisher has scored consecutive stoppages, including a highlight finish of Franca’s teammate Matt Wiman (Pictures), as he soared over the top of his opponent, knocking him out with a flying knee. Last October Fisher made short work of Dan Lauzon (Pictures), knocking out the Mass. native with strikes late in the first round.
There’s no tougher bout to pick on the card. I can easily make a case for either fighter to win the bout. My gut says Franca. No lightweight fighter, including Gomi and Sherk, has been as hot as Hermes in ’06. He also exhibited huge heart coming back from a winless’05 (0-3) to go on a 7-0 run.
Fisher isn’t used to losing and has huge heart, too. He remained unfazed by the loss to Stout and came back to finish his next two victims. Although Spencer is a solid wrestler, he will have huge problems with Franca on the mat. His submission defense will be tested early and often.
Franca isn’t afraid to stand and trade either. He is an improved striker and can use his strikes to score rather than just to set up a takedown. Fisher’s unorthodox stand-up will likely encourage Franca to take him down and I feel that is where this one ends. Franca by submission but not quickly or easily. He’ll have to work for this win.