Hermes Franca (19-7) and Joe Lauzon (17- 4) have been offered bout agreements to compete in a 155-pound match up at UFC Fight Night 17 at The Palms Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, on February 7.
MMAmania.com today confirmed that the lightweight bout, which would likely air on the televised Spike TV main card, is currently in the works.
Franca has been on a roller coaster ride during the past 18 months. The former number one contender recently returned from a 12-month steroids suspension, losing to Frank Edgar in his July comeback fight at UFC Fight Night 14.
The Brazilian then rebounded with a win against his former Brazilian jiu-jitsu teacher Marcus Aurelio at UFC 90: “Silva vs. Cote” in October. And shortly thereafter he was arrested in Jupiter, Fla., on suspicion of Driving Under the Influence (DUI).
That case is still pending; however, Franca has insisted that he was exhausted, which caused him to drive erratically. He is innocent until proven guilty.
Lauzon, too, rebounded from a recent loss — a first for him inside the Octagon — to stop Kyle Bradley via technical knockout (strikes) at UFC Fight Night 15 in September. Prior to the win, he was one of the many recent victims of Kenny Florian courtesy of a second round technical knockout loss at UFC Fight Night 13 back in April.
“J-Lau” was the favorite to win The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 5 season before meeting up with Manny Gamburyan in the semifinals. He has four wins in five attempts inside the Octagon.
To check out the latest UFC Fight Night 17 fight card and rumors click here.
35 Comments »
interesting fight. Joe should win if he keeps the pace up for 3 rounds.
You know what, we were all complaining last week about BJ/GSP threads popping up every day, but I miss them already. Lauzon wins this match up, but it’s almost one of theose “who really cares” fights!
I care, but only to see franca lose!
Franca will win and he won’t need a gas tank to do it either. Lauzon’s outmatched in BJJ and power. I don’t see him being technical enough to last.
I dont think hes gonna stop Franca, but if Joe plays it smart and keeps his distance and reach, i can see him getting the decision.
Kevin: have you lost your mind? THis is a damn good match up!
Not every fight can be a mega fight!
I would be happy for this fight on PPV, but even better for a UFN! I think Creepy Joe should be able to out work Hermes and win a decision.
I like this match up. The loser of this fight is never going to be mentioned about contendership again. Hermes has what it takes to end this fight by KO, TKO, or submission. I see Joe’s best chance at winning to be out-working Hermes for the better of the 3 rounds. Hermes doesn’t always show up to fights in the best of shape; sometimes I’m amazed that he even make weight…
I agree with you BNF. This is a great fight that will probibly win fight of the night. Both guys are scrappy well rounded fighters. I think Hermes doesn’t have the gas tank to beat Joe.
Technique Joe might be outmatched, slightly, but I do not think he will be outpowered, Joe is very underrated, he will win this I think and work his way up the latter.
i think its a decent fight kev. you arent a lauzon fan?? i mean, he’s no belt-holder or anything but i like the dude. i hope he beats that f*ckin idiot hermes!
i know. there hasnt been much going on in mma news lately. kevin, a buddy of mine that lives here is moving to sarasota next week. not far from siesta key. i’ll be at the daquiri deck a.s.a.p.
thats cool bud, you’ll love it, especially this time of year! vacationing women, leave the Girlfriend at home!!! I like lauzon, and a poker buddy of mine is boys with Franca, but really not a big fight to me!
yeah, theres no doubt that its time for all the hot, rich, drunk chicks to start showin some skin down here. i gotta say though, it really sucks with all the traffic.
I used to drive to venice every morning to work, I hear you!
It’s nothing compared to boston or here in CA though, thats for sure!
kev: you’ve been to cape cod in the summer right? thats some of the worst traffic EVER! it can take 3 hours to drive from the bridge to the orleans rotary. and its only about 40 miles. thats some bullsh*t. the thing that i find the sh*tiest about down here is, there’s frickin lights every 500 feet. you get stuck at one, you catch ‘em all!
whoa waho, back up, lets get back to these hot drunk chicks.. where do i sign up?
Cape Cod is not that bad for traffic. That is until you get up near Provincetown, that place is nice but WAY too crowded.
Seriously? You shifted the conversation from girls showing skin to traffic jams? What the…!
JRE” a P-town guy huh??? you do know what lies in P-town right???
pretty decent main for a ufn. i like creepy joe in this one.
Not the main event, right?
no, i just assumed. that’s what i get for not reading the whole thread. this is a great match-up imo, and if it’s not the main, i cant wait to see what is. nate vs clay would be cool.
LOL, you and JV have the same attention span (see the Cung Le thread). I would be very happy to see Clay get triangled by Nate in the main event.
clay would get triangled!
I awant to see Huerta vs. Lauzon! too bad that Huerta is in the UFC witness protection program
joe is da man
hermes has better stand up heavier hands a hole lot better on the ground hermes by tko 3rnd
joe has a great ground as well
pretty good fight 4 a Ultimate Fight Night. I’m gonna have to go with Hermes Franca in this 1. I think he is a litle better at everything.Hemes in the 2nd
Lauzon by flying ankle lock (which he almost pulled of in his last fight against Bradley). I say he nails it this time. He has an incredible ground game for those of you who aren’t really following Joe.
Lauzon by something in 1 RD.
great fight
i think it’s anybodies fight to win
im picking joe. he’s my boy. his ground is very under-rated, and he loves to stand and bang. hermes is no slouch, but i think he’s on his way out. i see lauzon pulling off either a tko in the 3rd or a u.d. nice reference to that flying ankle lock mr. fyer, i was really hoping he pulled that off against bradley.