UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk will engage in his first title defense at UFC 73, scheduled to take place on July 7th. MMA Ring Report spoke with the man who will challenge him for the title, Hermes França. Born in Brazil, França says he is ready to fight the champion and get his belt. "I have been training hard and you must be sure I will do my best in the octagon. So, I have no options and I hope I win this belt", states França, who is not concerned about the ring experience of Sherk. "Be sure, I watched his other fights and I know his game. Now I am training to surprise him", he guarantees. França also says the other Brazilians in action at UFC 73 (Rodrigo Minotauro, Anderson Silva, Diego Saraiva and Jorge Gurgel) will give him extra strength to earn the title. Know more about França’s wishes during the following interview.
 
MMARR - Hermes. You are coming off three consecutive wins in the UFC. What are you expecting of this fight against Sean Sherk?
 
Hermes França - Well, I have been training hard and you must be sure I will do my best in the octagon. So, I have no options and I hope I win this belt.
 
MMARR - Which strong skills do you point at him? Do you know his game?
 
Hermes França - I know he is an excellent wrestler and he has been working very well this skill to MMA. Be sure, I watched his other fights and I know his game. Now I am training to surprise him.
 
MMARR - He has fought over 30 times… very experienced. What must be his concerns about facing you?
 
Hermes França - He must know I am coming with a lot of submissions and I’m also ready to KO. He must be aware I seek the submission and I have a heavy hand. But I will not say anymore… I will show my value in the octagon.
 
MMARR - How is your training for this fight?
 
Hermes França - It’s good. I have been training everything... focused to fight Sean Sherk. But I am not putting too much pressure on myself. I just want to be healthy and feel good on the day of the fight. I will be ready to battle!
 
MMARR - In your opinion, what are the dangerous fighters in your division?
 
Hermes França - I believe all fighters are differently dangerous. Each one has a different game and there must be over 20 fighters in the lightweight division. I will not be unemployed for a long time if I keep fighting at the UFC (laughs).
 
MMARR - What is your call when the subject is Anderson Silva vs. Nathan Marquardt?
 
Hermes França - Anderson wins and retains his belt. He is very experienced and he always has control of his fights. I believe he will win. But I do respect his opponent too. Marquardt is a dangerous fight and he will do his best to get the belt.
 
MMARR - And about Rodrigo Nogueira Minotauro’s UFC debut?
 
Hermes França - He will fight American Heath Herring, who he has defeated two times, so I guess Herring should be concerned to win this bout. In my opinion, Heath will not last one round with Rodrigo, who will submit him during the early first round.
 
MMARR - The event will also feature a Brazilian super-fight between Diego Saraiva and Jorge Gurgel. What do you expect of this fight?
 
Hermes França - Both of the fighters were born in my city Fortaleza (Northeastern city of Brazil) and as me, they are real warriors and I am sure they will give their best to be the last man to stand up. It will be a war.
 
MMARR - What do you think about the number of Brazilian fighters joining UFC’s card in those last editions?
 
Hermes França - UFC today is a big company. Check it out: there are months we have three UFC events! And there is room for everybody. Not only fighters from Brazil, but Japan and England. This is a great deal for everybody. And it is good for professional fighters. So more important than win, is doing a great fight and please the audience. 
 
MMARR - You fought eight times in 2006. What are your wonders to 2007?
 
Hermes França - Well, fighting eight times per year is great, but it makes me tired! (laughs). Nowadays I have to run the Armory team with the rest of the crew. I am responsible for training the fighters as well, acting as a promoter and help the students. So It’s has been a busy time for me. But I leave 2007 in the hands of God. My year started very will with a KO over Spencer Fisher and I hope I keep doing a nice job.