(These latest charges make Franca’s DUI in 2008 look like a jaywalking charge.)
According to a report from Sherdog, nine charges were laid this week against Hermes Franca in relation to a sexual assault that took place in Oregon, where the UFC veteran used to live and run his Team Hermes Franca Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy.
The 36-year-old native of Fortaleza, Brazil who was arrested in 2008 for a DUI, flew from Florida, where he now lives and trains to turn himself in on Monday. He is charged with seven counts of sexual abuse in the first degree and two counts of unlawful sexual penetration in the second degree. Franca’s trial is scheduled for July 12 at 9 a.m. in the Clackamas County Courthouse in Oregon City, Oregon. His bail was set at $250,000.
Acting swiftly to the news, Maximum Fighting president Mark Pavelich released a statement today stating that he has terminated Franca’s contract with his organization as a result of the allegations against him. Pavelich also said that he is currently seeking a new opponent to replace him in his upcoming MFC 29 main event lightweight title fight with Drew Fickett, which could mean Antonio McKee might be brought back into the fold to fight for the title he never vacated in the first place.
“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, Pavelich said via email. “These are serious allegations that he is facing and I do not want the Maximum Fighting Championship associated in any way with these matters.”