The winner of this mixed martial arts battle for the UFC Lightweight Championship Belt was Sean Sherk by Unanimous Decision. Sportsbook.com had the defending Lightweight Champ at a heavy -275 odds to retain his title against Hermes Franca at UFC 73: Stacked.
“I wanted to finish him,” stated the Lightweight Championship after the his victory. “He did not give me a lot of openings and he proved he can take a shot.” When Joe Rogan asked him about getting a second chance in the UFC, Sherk replied, “I am going to train like a maniac and try to keep this belt as long as I can.”
Round by round UFC 73 results for the Sean Sherk vs. Hermes Franca fight:
Sherk almost got choked out within the first 30 seconds but Franca was unable to execute the guillotine. A very well conditioned Sherk was relentless and Franca found himself on his back most of the round until 15 seconds left when he was able to get on top of Sherp. But Sean quickly got back in control.
Winner of Round: Sherk
Round 2
Franca caught Sean shooting in with a huge knee to the face that stunned Sherk that made him drop on his face. Franca pounced on Sherk and got him in another guillotine, while it looked dire for Sean, he was able to pull out of it.
Winner of Round: Franca
Round 3
Sean was able to shoot and pick up Hermes and body slam him to the ground right as the round opened. Sherk was able to moves in and out of Hermes's guard all night with ease.
About 1:30 minutes into the round, Sean was able to get Franca in a North/South choke, but Hermes rolled out of it.
Winner of Round: Franca
Round 4
Hermes rocked Sean with another knee to the face at the opening exchange of the round, but Sherk was able to regroup.
After rolling around on the ground, Franca got up but was stood up and pinned to the side of the octagon. After a few seconds, Sherk body slammed Hermes to the ground. With 1:45 left in the round, Hermes got back up on his feet.
Franca was trying to time the knees on Sean’s take down attempts, but was unsuccessful this time because he was exhausted. Hermes was able to survive the round.
Winner of Round: Sherk
Round 5
Sean was able to kick Hermes in the face to open the round, but Franca staggered forward. Sean shot in and Franca attempted another knee to his face but his timing was off.
Hermes started bleeding from the face after being hit in the face a few times and getting body slammed on his back twice. Sean was constantly getting back in control of Hermes every time he was able to break loose.
Franca attempted a knee bar, but Sean was able to pull out of it. Hermes blood was all over both fighters and he was able to go the distance.
Winner of Round: Sherk
