Francisco France (fighter)

Francisco France (born January 21, 1983 in Fortaleza) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist. France trains with the American Top Team of Missouri and Florida. France signed a deal with Strikeforce and made his only appearance for them at Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery against Lee Brousseau.

MMA career
France made his pro debut in 2008 when he defeated Jake Pudenz at an Elite Fighting League event. The fight did not even make the minute mark before France forced Pudenz to tap via arm-triangle choke.

At a Headhunter Productions event in 2009, France ended his fight the same as his first, an early first round submission, again, via arm-triangle choke.

Moving to 3-0, France again showed his jiu-jitsu, winning his fight via another early first round submission.

In a number one contender bout for the Empire Fighting Championships light heavyweight title, France defeated Tony Roberts via armbar submission in the first round. The win not only earned France a chance at the light heavyweight title, but also earned him a four fight deal with Strikeforce.

France was set to fight for MMA Big Show on their April 17 card, but his opponent withdrew from the bout due to an undisclosed injury. Instead of waiting for another opponent to emerge, France pulled out to focus on his title bout and his Strikeforce debut.

On April 23, France took his first professional loss to Chris Davis for the Empire Fighting Championships light heavyweight title.

France signed a four fight deal and his first fight came on the preliminary portion of the Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery card. His opponent was Lee Brousseau, whom he defeated via first round submission.

France then defeated Cale Yarbrough in St. Charles, Missouri for the inaugural event for Fight Me MMA.

He was scheduled to face UFC veteran Keith Jardine at Nemesis Fighting: MMA Global Invasion on November 13, 2010 but the event was postponed to avoid a storm the new date for the event was December 10, 2010. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Grappling credentials

 * 2x Brazilian State Champion