· Hermes Franca Indicted, Dropped By MFC

Former UFC fighter, Brazilian Hermes Franca currently sits in a Clackamas County Jail cell in Oregon City, Ore. after responding to charges of sexual misconduct recently leveled against him.

According to a report from Jeff Howard of Portland MMA Examiner, Franca was charged with seven counts of sexual abuse in the first degree (ORS.163.427) and two counts of unlawful sexual penetration in the second degree (ORS.163.408).

Franca remains incarcerated with a bail of $250,000 after pleading not guilty to all nine counts. The fighter reportedly flew from Brazil to address the charges.

The 36-year-old Franca (22-12, 1 NC) was scheduled to face Drew Fickett in the headlining bout at Maximum Fighting Championship’s “MFC 30: Up Close & Personal” on Friday, June 10.

After the indictment announcement, MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich issued the following statement:

“Mr. Franca’s legal situation is a matter in the hands of law enforcement officials and soon to be going before the courts and because of that there will not be any further comment on those allegations, but I have taken immediate action to indicate that he is no longer going to be part of my organization.

“We were informed about his arrest and pending trial, and as of 10:30 a.m. MT today, he has been released. These are serious allegations that he is facing and I do not want the Maximum Fighting Championship associated in any way with these matters.

“Mr. Franca breached his contract by fighting outside of the organization only 15 days after his bout at MFC 29, and then he fought again six days after that in Brazil and lost.

“I find his actions to be incredibly disrespectful to my company and Mr. Franca is no longer welcome as part of the Maximum Fighting Championship.”