Former UFC lightweight title challenger and WEC champion Hermes Franca has spoken candidly about his life journey, including his struggles with drinking following his conviction in 2012.
In a revealing interview on the MMA History podcast, Franca detailed his career trajectory from his beginnings in Brazilian jiu-jitsu to becoming one of the UFC’s most exciting stars during the mid-2000s.
Franca’s martial arts journey began in 1994 at age 18 when he took his first Brazilian jiu-jitsu class in Brazil. He later followed Marcos Aurelio, who opened his own gym after leaving Sasio’s academy. Under Aurelio’s guidance, Franca earned his purple and brown belts before making the life-changing decision to come to the United States in 2000.
“In 2000 I went to the United States on a tourist visa to compete in the Pan American tournament. I decided to stay,” Franca explained. To survive, he worked various jobs including at car washes, construction sites, and as a painter while training jiu-jitsu sporadically.
His fortunes changed after winning both his division and the absolute division at an IBJJF competition in Orlando as a brown belt. This performance caught the attention of Dan Lambert, who would later found American Top Team. Franca became one of the original members of what would grow into one of the world’s premier MMA training facilities.
Franca made his professional MMA debut against future WEC champion Mike Brown in 2001, winning by triangle choke. This victory began an impressive seven-fight winning streak that led to his UFC debut in 2003.
Throughout the interview, Franca was forthcoming about his struggles with drinking and coke during his MMA career. “The UFC, when you have a guy who came from Brazil who nobody knows, and I start to fight, the spotlight starts to go to the wrong direction, and I start to drink a lot, a lot of party,” he admitted.
Despite his personal demons, Franca compiled an impressive record against elite competition, including wins over Nate Diaz (Diaz’s only submission loss), Spencer Fisher, and Jamie Varner. He eventually earned a UFC lightweight title shot against Sean Sherk in 2007, though both fighters tested positive for performance-enhancing substances after the bout.
Franca revealed that his battle continued for years, including receiving a DUI in 2010. “I drove a few times to my house without knowing how I came to my home,” he confessed. “That’s scary.”
Today, Franca teaches Brazilian jiu-jitsu and focuses on rebuilding relationships. “I’m teaching jiu-jitsu as the Global Fight. My Instagram is HermesFrancaBJJ. You guys can check it out. Living like a good life and seeing what God has for me in the future.”
Reflecting on his journey in the United States, Franca expressed gratitude: “I love them and I enjoyed the journey. United States was amazing. I still have them in my heart.”
While the interview focused primarily on Franca’s MMA career and personal struggles, it’s important to note that in 2012, Franca pled guilty to SA of a minor under 14 and was sentenced to prison. After serving his sentence, he was deported and returned to teaching jiu-jitsu.
It’s startling to see Franca’s academy runs kids classes as well as adults.
