Hermes Franca Comes Clean About Steroid Use

[FE_EatsChildren]

On Tuesday's 103rd volume of The Lights Out Show on The Tagg Radio Network, Chris Fries and The JDH had Hermes Franca on the show, where he shared some very candid comments about why he used steroids in his title fight against Sean Sherk last summer, the pressure he received from the UFC to fight, why he didn't appeal his suspension like most other fighters have, and about his release from the UFC.
Franca On Getting Caught With Steroids:

Nothing like it had ever happened before. It was really bad news. I’m not a liar. I made a mistake. Everyone makes mistakes. So I told everyone around me what I did. I could care less about Sean Sherk and what he does. I don’t want to lie to everyone.

Franco On The Pressure He Received From The UFC To Fight Hurt:

When I was hurt I got lost.I wanted to fight for the belt and make my dreams come true. But Joe Silva (UFC Matchmaker) told me that I had to fight Sean Sherk at UFC 73 and there was no other way around it without him finding another opponent. A lot of guys in the division wouldn’t be able to fight, like Kenny Florian. I brought up Roger Huerta but Joe said that he wasn’t ready. So I took the steroids.

Franca On Why He Asked For His Release From The UFC:

I thought I’d be able to fight in Japan, England, or Canada...in another country. So I called Armando Garcia and he explained to me that I’d be able to fight in another country but I’d have a hard time coming back and fighting in the United States if I fought during my suspension.

Hermes Franca Comes Clean About Steroid Use - MMAFightLine.com

[mmasince91]

I would do the same thing!!! Pressure can be a bitch especially when money is on the line.

[mattyc]

Originally Posted by mmasince91

I would do the same thing!!! Pressure can be a bitch especially when money is on the line.

I don't know if I would to the same thing, but yeah, sometimes in life there are no-win situations. I sympathize for him.

[DonFrye]

Did it really sound as though he had remorse and would never do it again? It's sad to think that someone owns up to something and then hands the blame over to another party due to pressure. If you're hurt, you heal up and then earn your shot another way. If you're truly a champion, it will come.

On the other hand, I respect this a lot more than what Sherk has done.

[POINDEXTER]

Me too - I respect his explanation. He isn't in the clear because of it, but if he has done his time he should be able to move on. IMO, Sherk should have to earn another shot at the title.

[eazye76]

I wish Hermes the best, honesty goes a long way. I have a lot more respect for this guy than most people who get popped for perfomance enhancers(cough cough, Roger Clemens, cough).

[fredro32]

I guess what I don't get about it is, if I remember right he admitted pretty quickly that he took steroids b/c of his injured ankle. What did he think would have happened if he won? and did he admit the usage so quickly only b/c he was tested b4 the fight? The honesty is nice the majority of athletes deny till the bitter end, but did Franca just realize he was caught since he was tested, I wonder if we would of been so forthcoming if he had not been tested b4 the fight.

[Afro]

Why was there no other way around it though, thats BS imo.

[SnakeD]

It sucks that legit medical options are not available to these fighters.

Real injuries require treatment, and if our best medicine for that happens to be steroids, tough shit??

There has to be room for exception.

[DonFrye]

There's a difference between available medical options and available medical options that will have you ready in 30-60 days.