THE CANADIAN PRESS
EDMONTON — The Edmonton-based Maximum Fighting Championship has terminated the contract of Hermes Franca in the wake of sex charges levelled against the veteran mixed martial arts fighter.
Franca, 36, faces two counts of unlawful sexual penetration in the second degree and seven counts of sexual abuse in the first degree, according to Greg Horner of the Clackamas County District Attorney’s office in Oregon City, just outside Portland.
Horner said bail of US$250,000 had been set for Franca with a hearing set for Friday on possible bail reduction, conditions of release and other matters.
A trial date has been set for July 12.
"Mr. Franca is presumed innocent and at this point in time is denying all the allegations," said lawyer Ryan Corbridge, adding his client was still in custody.
Franca (22-12) had been slated to fight lightweight Drew Fickett on June 10 at MFC 30 in Edmonton.
"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," MFC president Mark Pavelich said in a statement Thursday.
"These are serious allegations that he is facing and I do not want the Maximum Fighting Championship associated in any way with these matters," he added.
Pavelich also said Franca, a veteran of the UFC and WEC, had fought twice outside of the MFC while under contract to him.
"Mr. Franca breached his contract by fighting outside of the organization only 15 days after his bout at MFC 29 (on April 8), and then he fought again six days after that in Brazil and lost," said Pavelich.
"I find his these actions to be incredibly disrespectful to my company and Mr. Franca is no longer welcome as part of the Maximum Fighting Championship."
