Franchi is ready to rebound from his first loss in what could be an upset special!
John Franchi is a calm, laid back individual.
When asked about how he took the first loss of his career against Manny Gamburyan at WEC 41, Franchi answered the question nonchalantly.
“I wasn’t devastated,” Franchi (6-1) said. “It happens. I went back to the drawing board and changed a few things in my training camp. I feel ready to go.”
Franchi is set to take on Cub Swanson Wednesday at WEC 44. Swanson, like Franchi, is coming off of an eight-second knockout loss to WEC 44 headliner Jose Aldo.
Franchi said he feels honored to be on a card with such high-profile names, and it marks the third time that Franchi is fighting on a card headlined by Mike Brown.
So each time Franchi steps into the cage, he wants to put on a show for the fans and he expects no different entering his bout with Swanson.
“I’ve been fortunate with all my fights. I’ve been on a lot of great cards,” Franchi said. “This is another one and it’s going to be huge. … I want to put on a show for the fans. That’s what everyone looks forward to. Fans dig that kind of thing.”
In his last bout, Franchi lost to an experienced fighter in Gamburyan in a fight that saw Franchi get outwrestled by the stronger fighter.
“I got wrestled to death,” Franchi said. “I tried to do what i could. Manny is pretty strong. He imposed his will and it happens.”
Franchi admits that he’s relatively new to the MMA game. His first professional fight was in 2007 and has only fought seven times.
In contrast, Swanson has been a professional since 2004 and has 16 career fights under his belt.
“It’s going to be tough,” Franchi said. “I’m young in the sport. As far as the fight goes. I don’t have much to lose. He’s coming off two hard fights. I’m ready to prove my way up. He might his way out.”
Franchi didn’t make wholesale changes in his training camp with Team BombSquad, and the training camp has left him in high spirits.
“I feel great right now,” Franchi said. “Cardio is great. I can’t complain. I feel good. … It makes me feel good and watching his fights. I tried to pick techniques that might help me.”
Franchi expects an exciting fight with two guys whose styles match up with each other.
Win or lose, Franchi wants to have fun in the cage and prove he’s capable of competing with the best of the best in the WEC.
“I’m going to have fun,” Franchi siad. “I’ve had all the hard work. I think it’s going to be a high-paced fight. … Everyone in the (featherweight) class is crazy. It’s awesome and inspiring.”
