"My career has been a roller coaster ride. Lots of highs, lot of lows," said Sherk (32-2-1), whom the UFC announced would defend his belt against B.J. Penn (Pictures) in November.
While the champion cruised to victory, he was close to losing before the final bell. In the opening 30 seconds Franca locked in a tight guillotine choke that Sherk struggled mightily to escape. He did, and passed Franca's guard in the process, a theme that repeated many times throughout the bout.
"'Oh Hermes, I almost tapped for a second,' Franca said Sherk told him after the bout. "It was close. It was really tight."
Including the first, Franca hurt Sherk three times to start rounds, though never with the overhand right that was so instrumental in the Brazilian's eight-fight win streak he enjoyed coming into the fight.The second and fourth frames saw the good-natured Franca land brutal knees to the chin when Sherk shot for a takedown, yet the champion's unbelievable conditioning helped him survive and flourish once the fight hit the canvas.
While the champion cruised to victory, he was close to losing before the final bell. In the opening 30 seconds Franca locked in a tight guillotine choke that Sherk struggled mightily to escape. He did, and passed Franca's guard in the process, a theme that repeated many times throughout the bout.
"'Oh Hermes, I almost tapped for a second,' Franca said Sherk told him after the bout. "It was close. It was really tight."
Including the first, Franca hurt Sherk three times to start rounds, though never with the overhand right that was so instrumental in the Brazilian's eight-fight win streak he enjoyed coming into the fight.The second and fourth frames saw the good-natured Franca land brutal knees to the chin when Sherk shot for a takedown, yet the champion's unbelievable conditioning helped him survive and flourish once the fight hit the canvas.
