Hermes Franca Announces Retirement

Last night, former UFC lightweight number one contender, and WEC lightweight champion, Hermes Franca, suffered a TKO loss to Eric Wisely (12-4) at MaxFightsDM: Ballroom Brawl IV in Des Moines, Iowa.

After the bout Hermes Franca announced his attention to retire.

"The fans gave me the passion and strength that kept me competing at the championship levels for all these years. Without them, I couldn't have done it. I owe it all to the fans," said Franca, while indicating that his body just can't keep up with the demands of today's elite level fighters.

Franca was 1-3 in his past four UFC bouts and took the fight in Iowa as a tune-up fight.

The high point in Hermes' career was his eight fight win streak, which began in March of 2006 when he won the WEC lightweight belt after knocking out Gabe Ruediger. Franca went on to defend his WEC belt against Nate Diaz in addition to re-entering the UFC where he defeated current WEC lightweight champion, Jamie Varner and Spencer FIsher.

Franca was chosen to fight Sean Sherk for Sherk's first title defense at UFC 73. Hermes lost the bout via unanimous decision and both fighters later tested positive for steroids. Franca admitted to steroid use, claiming that he suffered an ankle injury before the bout and used the steroids to help his body to recover. The CSAC suspended Franca one year.

After the year suspension Hermes returned to the UFC where he lost to Frankie Edgar. Franca followed that loss with a win over Marcus Aurelio. In Hermes' last UFC fight he came in four pounds overweight for the bout against Tyson Griffin. Griffin went on to win the bout leading Franca to take the fight in Iowa.