Hermes Franca calls it quits, announces his retirement

According to Hermes Franca’s Facebook status, the UFC veteran and former WEC lightweight champion is retiring from mixed martial arts competition. Digging around a bit, it turns out Franca made the announcement following his TKO loss at Max Fights DM Ballroom Brawl IV in Des Moines, Iowa on Friday. I’d say that’s a good call if you go from the octagon to something called Max Fights DM Ballroom Brawl IV. Sounds like Dancing with the Stars without the estrogen.

The occasionally cotton-candy-haired Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt finishes with a career record of 19-8, although he lost four of his last five fights, including UFC losses to Sean Sherk, Frankie Edgar and Tyson Griffin. He also has victories over Caol Uno, Mike Brown, Nate Diaz, Spencer Fisher, Jamie Varner and Marcus Aurelio among others.

Guess this will mean more time for him to spend working with his students at the East West Combat Club in Syracuse, NY.

And I give Franca credit for what has to be a difficult decision. He’s only in his mid-30s, is still competitive, still winning jiu-jitsu tournaments, but he recognizes he no longer has what it takes to compete at the top level. There’s honour in that. It’s smart. There’s life beyond the cage. If only a few others – hello, Chuck Liddell – would follow a similar path.