UFC Quick Quote: Rich Franklin didn't want to be a middleweight gatekeeper
by MMAmania.com on Sep 4, 2008 10:08 AM EDT
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"I was talking to the UFC after the second [Anderson] Silva loss and they encouraged me to move up to 205. They told me my position there would be more appealing to them from a business perspective. They weren’t interested in a third match between me and Silva and they didn’t want me fighting contenders because I could eliminate possible title fights, so I was stuck in that I was going to be fighting people on the back end of their losses to Silva and I didn’t care for that gatekeeper position. After the Travis Lutter fight, I said I would try my hand at 205 again."
-- Former middleweight champion Rich Franklin reveals to the Baltimore Sun his reasons for moving back up to the light heavyweight division for his upcoming fight against Matt Hamill at UFC 88: "Breakthrough" at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Ga., on September 6. "Ace" was soundly defeated twice by UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva, which essentially meant that he'd be relegated to fighting -- and possibly knocking off -- new contenders.
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yea I agree with that he needs to be in a different division than Anderson cause he would probably get beat ten out of ten times.
by Wanderlei Fan on Sep 4, 2008 10:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
nah nah.. 13/10 times Silva would beat Franklin.
by PhilQNY on Sep 4, 2008 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, it’s a unique spot to be in where you’re pretty much the most dominate guy ever in the division bar one and that one is still there. With no Anderson Silva, Franklin would have a legacy worthy of Matt Hughes’s, but Silva is there so Rich either had to move up or move out. I don’t think he wanted to leave the UFC because it might look like he was running away for easier competition, but from a business stand point, he would only hurt the division. Dan Henderson is in similar territory. The only difference is, he controlled Silva that first round, so he may earn himself a second crack whereas Rich’s days of getting Kneed in his face are over. Trust me, HE AIN’T COMPLAINING!
by getrawbc on Sep 4, 2008 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He should go over and compete in Dream. He would be a nice addition to their MW stable. I’d like to see him fight Jacare or Manhoof.
by DDT on Sep 4, 2008 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i don’t think he would beat dan henderson either so he would still be a gate keeper with out silva.
by roy on Sep 4, 2008 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Franklin at 205 was good move but Hamill wasn’t a good match-up with Franklin at this time of date.. This is what should have been done
Franklin vs W. Silva
Hamill vs Shogun
Rampage vs R.Palhires
Henderson vs Nate Maquarte
by mikeybear on Sep 4, 2008 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like ur matchups but Shogun would rip through Hamill like a fat girl with chocolate cake.
by OJR on Sep 4, 2008 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A fat girl with chocolate cake lol. Nice.
by Toms Bombs on Sep 4, 2008 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rampage vs Palhares?! That’s murder!!
by TheNegation on Sep 4, 2008 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
CHECK OUT MANIACS: The Killer of the Amazon!! Jacare!
by PhilQNY on Sep 4, 2008 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So do you think he would take Franklin?
I think Ace would KO him.
by DDT on Sep 4, 2008 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In Jacare’s 1st of 2nd UFC fight.. most likely. in Jacere’s 8th or 9th ufc fight.. unlikely.
by PhilQNY on Sep 4, 2008 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he still needs to fight Dan Henderson!!!
by deuce 4 on Sep 4, 2008 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The fight between Hendo and Franklin NEEDS to happen. Right now would have been as good a time as any. If Hendo wins, he can get a title shot, or be 1 fight away from one. If Franlin somehow managed to win, he gets to stick a feather in his cap and have some much needed confidence in himself as he moved up to the LHW division.
Starting a few days ago and especially after watching the Countdown, I have really been feeling a little negative towards the parlay that I placed where I have Rich Franklin winning. I am REALLY starting to think that he is going to have zero chance at stopping Hamill’s takedowns. He is going to be on his back for the vast majority of this fight. Rich’s guard is decent, but the question is how good has Hamill’s sub defense become? If he can avoid the submissions, I now see him winning this fight by decision. He is not dumb (he’s only deaf) so he will not stand and trade with Franklin for long. But, even if he did, that kid has a serious chin and an iron will. The reason Hamill stood and traded with Bisping is because he fought that fight with an injured knee with prohibited him from being able to shoot effectively. With a healthy knee, Rich is going to be on his back for a long time.
by ViolentMike on Sep 4, 2008 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A fight with Hendo MUST go down….
As for the Hamill fight, I am REALLY starting to think that he is going to have zero chance at stopping Hamill’s takedowns. He is going to be on his back for the vast majority of this fight. Rich’s guard is decent, but the question is how good has Hamill’s sub defense become? If he can avoid the submissions, I now see him winning this fight by decision. He is not dumb (he’s only deaf) so he will not stand and trade with Franklin for long. But, even if he did, that kid has a serious chin and an iron will. The reason Hamill stood and traded with Bisping is because he fought that fight with an injured knee with prohibited him from being able to shoot effectively. With a healthy knee, Rich is going to be on his back for a long time.
by ViolentMike on Sep 4, 2008 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
good point…two things though. bisping i believe is tur middleweight. he actually isnt that huge as MW now since dropping from 205. no franklin on the other hand is rea 205er…not a huge one like rampage or griffin. another is stance and movement. bisping has this in-out style that comes with his boxing. while franklin has very crazy unorthedox approach…south paw stance and circles outside like a right hander. that how he can land his left hooks so many times…your walking in to them most of the time. i dont know who hamill will do from up top. it all depends on his jits defense. yeah he is finally getting serious about his jits game…but 6 month of training a few hours a day for jits…is not enough to get you out of tight spots. i think franklin has got a great guard never been put in real fight finishing position he cant escape out of. never been tkod on the ground. basically everyground guy Franklin has fought has though they can hold him down with their “superior ground game”…they dont take into account he is a brown belt as of now and is training with the wizard matt hume now.
by santiago69us on Sep 4, 2008 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great Points ViolentONE, but I just dont think Highly enough of Hammil as a fighter to pick him against a Former champion, even if it is a natural middleweight vs. an OX SLAYER! YOu could very easily be right and Franklin will spend most of his time on his back but I just cant pick Hammil to beat any former UFC champions, not at this point in his young career.
I really think that Rich is going to come really beefed up for this house. Naturally he will be much bigger for this fight then we have seen him in a while and his takedown defense has never been to shabby.
I got have to think that Hamil’s OVER RATED, yet still pathetic stand up, where he constantly leaves his chin exposed will cost him the fight.
I have to believe that Rich should be able to keep the fight long enough to penetrate that under-protected, Iron chin of Hammil’s. I say Rich picks him apart!
by john on Sep 4, 2008 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
although i wouldnt go as far as saying all the bad stuff you just said about hamill…i do have to agree. hammill leaves himself open way too much for his own good..we have seen time and time again the amoutn of punishment he takes looking to close the gap and land a few overhands. boetch and petruzzeli. yes hamill did end up winning those. but only because those fighter did not know how to capitalize on those holes in hammill’s game.
by santiago69us on Sep 4, 2008 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
john and santiago-
To elaborate: Boetsch was eating Hamill alive and peppering him w/ combos and kicks.
Hamill has a rock chin and kept coming forward in that fight but did not prove to me he has the arsenal to compete w/ Ace.
Boetsch gassed and that’s what cost him the fight.
That also speaks to Hamill’s great endurance.
I don’t see Hamill overpowering or making Ace gas.
Ace by decision.
by OJR on Sep 4, 2008 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it is Anderson that should move to 205. He is too dominate at 185. There are all kinds of interesting matches for him at 205. He very well could clean out that division.
by Chainlink on Sep 4, 2008 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree also , moving A Silva too 205 makes for better matchups them leaving him at 185 and moving Rich … Without Silva it would be a reall deep division …
But what can you do ..
by Dayzah on Sep 4, 2008 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
your right, moving silvia to 205 makes more sense than moving franklin, franklin is a good fighter and will beat matt hamil but he has a glass chin and will have problems if he gets hit in it in that division
by steve on Sep 4, 2008 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wondered that loose/lose thing too, he always does it. Does John really think Dana is part of the Human resources department or is he as delusional as he sounds? Zuffa has people reading web sites to see what hard core fans want, my guess is he’s flagged as a potential stalker to anyone who fought in pride rather than a possible employee. John, italian, drexel= red flag. I hope you accomplish your dreams john, but don’t go expecting to talk to dana, my guess is he doesn’t know the names of more than 10 % of the office folks, and could only pick 50% out of a line up. But to say you’ll tell him you’ll work for free sounds desperate, and to say you’ll pass along inside info is just plain dumb. I’ll reply to your reply now, I know I’m a hater, but delusional I am not!
by kevin doesn't know shit on Sep 4, 2008 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kev-
Be ready for the PhilQNY and john tag team duo to rip you a new one!
by OJR on Sep 4, 2008 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
JOhn doesnt even exsist. tHat is far from my real name. Hate on, I wont be denied! You could even pronounce my name you ignorant shmuck. Hi Hater, I have overcome way too much and worked way to hard to let anyone let alone a name on the computer put me down. I know where I am going and people just like you fuel me. I have CONQUERED everything that this messed up life has thrown at me, THE STREETS, School, skies the limit for me buddy~
You are Dead right Kev, HI HATER!
TYpical HATER, just put someone down, thats all you can do, thats really ashame man. I never once in the years being on this site put down someone’s personal aspirations. But Kev on his HIGH horse ready to put someone that he knows nothing about down. Its cool, just fuels my mission, Bring it! I know where I am GOING!
by john on Sep 4, 2008 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Senor Kevin.. Your an ok MMAdude with me. You know your shit.. I respect that.
IMO.. I would not doubt John in his quest of being a Zuffa employee sometime in the near future.. whatever you see in your mind.. you can hold in your hand.. thoughts become things.. I really.. really believe that. John believes that he can go and do things he wants..and he works HARD at it.. and people that work at whatever they do.. tend to be on top. John Loves.. out great sport of MMA.. I will never question his passion of MMA.. ever.
IMo.. the more people that doubt him..and the more he believes in himself.. he’ll work for Zuffa faster then he even thinks.. and hey you never know..he may happen to catch Dana going to the bathroom or something.. respectfully..he’ll say something to him.. And working for free = internship.. which I think he’ll even be on a paid internship..but it’s his desire that will show the world he means business..and when he is in Vegas the MMA USA capital.. he will be privilged to inside info by default. In your post I didn’t even take it as Haterade.. just more like big brother/ lil brother talk..
by PhilQNY on Sep 4, 2008 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
wasn’t hating at all, but knew john would take it that way! Just being realistic, a marketing associates best way of meeting Dana is, as you said, going to the bathroom. I have no doubt that John is driven, and will succeed, but is setting himself up for a huge disappointment! I believe in you john, and am sorry that your insecurities make you think everyone is hating on you! Just don’t put all your eggs into one basket. Do a great job at you internship, and the skies the limit!
by kevin doesn't know shit on Sep 4, 2008 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Im not sure who to laugh at. This thread turned sad real quick.
by c-war on Sep 4, 2008 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
by the way, john is your real name (this coming from a guy who defended stinky by saying why lie…contradicted yourself yet again John), Italian last name, and I could email you right now even though you never gave me your email. why are you turning into a liar john?
by kevin doesn't know shit on Sep 4, 2008 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Laugh at them all. We are all just faceless bloggers floating around in cyberspace! What we post about each other means nothing in the real world.
by OJR on Sep 4, 2008 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i CANT BE STOPPED! U r crazy Kev if you think I am insecure….Im far from that. Im from Philly…THICK SKIN runs in my blood. I CANT be stopped!
When I accomplish what I set out to do, I will think back oon you and thank you for fueling my fire!
Cheers! Do YOU…See me at the TOP, if you can keep up that is!
by john on Sep 4, 2008 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dont hate cause you Peeked, oLD MAN, skies the LIMIT FOR ME!
by john on Sep 4, 2008 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
lol, what part of me believing in you didn’t you get john? I think you can do whatever you set out to do, just think your naive to think dana white does the Human resource work at zuffa. And the whole “I’m a star” speech was uplifting and made my day. good luck in all your endeavers
by kevin doesn't know shit on Sep 4, 2008 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
it’s peaked, not peeked
lose not loose
by kevin doesn't know shit on Sep 4, 2008 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know you two disagree a lot, but you both tend to have very intelligent debates/discussions. What the hell is up today? lol
by chefdaddy on Sep 4, 2008 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he sounds a little defensive/insecure to me. :)
by weoweoweo on Sep 4, 2008 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haha,or as we call it here, LQ. Lovers Quarrell…Anyway, I think John has too much anger inside of him so he should take anger management classes[but don’t get me wrong, him takin’ MMA classes should definitely release all that stress and anger pent up inside of him]. As for KEvin[who thinks he doesn’t know shit], I say let John alone in his quest. He’s old enough to make his own choices. I also like how you flamed on John’s “loose/lose”/“peeked/peaked” because I find it funny……You 2 could hate on me if you prefer it that way, but I’m just speaking my mind. PEace to every MMAMania blogger here!
by TheNegation on Sep 4, 2008 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It really was a no win situation for him at MW. All the best at 205…. he should have some success there, starting with a victory over Hamill.
by DJ on Sep 4, 2008 10:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
John mentioned this in ana earlier thread.. just keep all the CuteBox guys away from Franklin. Thiago Silva, Wandy, Anderson and company.
by PhilQNY on Sep 4, 2008 10:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Did you mean to call it CuteBox? If so, very funny.
by DDT on Sep 4, 2008 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I kind of like CuteBox if your trying to talk sh1t.
by DDT on Sep 4, 2008 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No idea who wins that one. HOld a gun to my head and I would say machida, but I have no idea
by john on Sep 4, 2008 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i think he’d do okay in LHW. just OK. i doubt he can hang with the top guys though. He’d probably be a gatekeeper in the LHW division as well. The division is too stacked and the guys are much bigger than him. Although there are interesting matchups there for him. Wandy rich could be really good since they’re around the same size and both strike good. and maybe thiago. i doubt if he could beat machida and rampage.
If Liddell wins, machida wont get his title shot, so maybe beating rich again could get him one.
by weoweoweo on Sep 4, 2008 10:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I am just going to go ahead and say it if Liddell gets a title shot before Machida I hate him. yea that’s right I said it I hate Chuck Liddell.
by Wanderlei Fan on Sep 4, 2008 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hate you, that’s right. It all makes sense now why you hate Chuck, like my boy JV says, he probably beat up your hero. That scenario applies perfectly judging by your name. Chuck will get a title shot and I can’t wait. Machida will probably lose to Tiago Silva so it won’t matter anyways. So when Machida does lose will all you haters shut up and concede that Chuck deserves it???
by BNF on Sep 4, 2008 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
IF Machida wins you are saying. That is a big IF in my opinion. Think this is by far his best test considering Tito is over the hill and it was Soko’s first fight in the UFC.
by WB on Sep 4, 2008 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And he is STILL just about a 3 to 1 favorite to beat Thiago Silva!!! The oddsmakers are finally onto Machida…
by ViolentMike on Sep 4, 2008 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thiago Silva is gonna put Machida away , bet the barn.. Prolly Houston Alexander style.
by Dayzah on Sep 4, 2008 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
everybody thinks that silva is better than machida. give me a break! ..the guy has fought cans okay? so dont say that he’s great because he has good wins over some crap level opponents.
Lets see, james irvin with an injury, houston the overhyped can, and who else? oh wait, 11 more cans?
Dayzah, houston alexander style? go ahead, bet the barn. see what happens. haha.
Zuffa/UFC will just use silva’s undefeated record to market machida better.
by weoweoweo on Sep 4, 2008 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would love to see him fight Bonner but I would also like to see him fight Sokojuo. or matbe even James Irvinor the winner out of Houston Alexander and Erich Shaffer.
by Wanderlei Fan on Sep 4, 2008 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i think WB was talking about thiago not rich.
so WB, ufc jitters made soko lose? cmon man, he beat arona and noguiera decisively but he couldnt touch machida. and i doubt if thiago can beat machida. It could be an interesting fight, but i dont think silva could win. lyoto faced better strikers and better fighters than thiago. Who has thiago beat? overhyped houston alexander? wow big deal.
by weoweoweo on Sep 4, 2008 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
dont forget he beat james irvin because irvin tore his acl, silva loses this fight decisevely and gets exposed as not half the talent people think
by randy murders on Sep 4, 2008 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think they should get Silva as many MW fights as possible before moving him to LHW, because once Silva goes to LHW, he just might be a wrecking ball there too. I couldn’t believe how natural he looked at 205. And against a big dude, Silva looked intimidating. There are some great matches for him there.
It’ll be interesting to see how Rich looks at 205. I doubt he could take on guys like Wandy and Jackson, but he’d probably do fairly well.
I sort of want to see Machida fight Silva.
by dave on Sep 4, 2008 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
anderson silva? they belong in the same camp haha. that wont happen anytime soon. Anderson even mentioned that he doesnt want to contend for the LHW belt yet because it should be machida there first.
by weoweoweo on Sep 4, 2008 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I told you he didn’t want to fight Bisping!
by Tony on Sep 4, 2008 10:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He would kick bispings a$$. That is why the UFC wants him to move up. His is too big a threat to up-and-commers. If he keeps knocking off contenders they will never have anyone left to fight Silva. Who at 185 besides Silva and maybe Hendo would Franklin lose to? No one probably. He’d be relegated to mopping up Silva’s leftovers, and who wants that job?
by DDT on Sep 4, 2008 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sucks to be Franklin. Nearly two years since he lost the belt to Silva and he has been in no mans lands since. Almost the best Middleweight in UFC and will be a decent LHW but wont be competing with the top 5 in the divison. He will be the gatekeeper in the LHW Div instead of the constant No1 Contender in the MW Div.
by UKmmaBOY on Sep 4, 2008 10:27 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
while your at it, why not drop down to featherweight and fight faber? he’d have a definite height advantage.
Although he’d probably have to fight with one limb gone since he’d have to get it cut off to make weight.
by weoweoweo on Sep 4, 2008 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yea but he is not in no mans land he looked good after the crowd got behind him when he fought Lutter it was like the fire came back in his eyes.
by Wanderlei Fan on Sep 4, 2008 10:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
anyone know what franklin’s walk-around weight is? did he have to cut a lot to get to 185? would 170 have been out of the question (seriously)?
by sickshotbri on Sep 4, 2008 11:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Franklin is a huge MW. 170 is out of the question. walk around is easily over 205.
by James S on Sep 4, 2008 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
franlin actually walk anywhere from 210 to 220 at times depending on his fight schedules.(no way he can cut to 170) anyways..this something i have never seen before in MMA. Franklin is in a very unique position…he is probable the 2nd best middleweight (next to henderson) in the world…not too many ppl can beat him…you would have to be a top 5 for sure to get the best of franklin and from what ive said…he cant beat silva. its a wise choice to fight at 205…there are many interesting matchups there for him i think will get to the top in no time…taking a title shot is something to be pondered on for the moment. Franklin is no small LHW is an average everyday 205er. im excited to see what an introduction of a top 3 MW that easily be a 205er in the mix of what the LHW division…MAN its just keeps getting more stacked by the month!
by santiago69us on Sep 4, 2008 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think that if Machida beats Thiago, they will throw him a rematch with Rich Franklin to gain some popularity before giving him a title shot.
by cmon on Sep 4, 2008 11:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I wish that his debut fight could have been James Irvin. That would have been a good fight just to see if he could do what Silva did….problem is, Irvin won’t be fighting for a while due to that suspension.
by RyanHobbs on Sep 4, 2008 11:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i dont think rich would beat irvin standing he would have to take him down, i do see rich winning a fight with irvin though probably by submission,
i think rich would have been better suited for jardine or bonnar something of that nature not matt hammil not many people follow hammil to know he’s a talent and franklins name is well known because he was a math teacher and a lot of news orgs covered his story, as well as him being on the bubba the love sponge show a few times
by randy murders on Sep 4, 2008 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i’m personally excited that he’s moving up from MW – and hopefully smash Hamill’s face in on saturday.
At lhw he wouldnt give up any significant size/weight advantage although im afraid he would be a slightly above average lhw with no real threat to the title especially if machida takes it
by jerrolds on Sep 4, 2008 11:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I know I’m one of the only people out there, but I think they should keep Franklin at 185 after this fight (win or loose). Silvia will loose, everyone loses at some point. If Franklin would have just attempted a takedown or two , he might have pushed the fight a couple rounds.
If Henderson and Silvia fight again, which they will. I think Henderson is going to push him, and win that fight. Plus as big of a joke as it is, that Cote gets s a title shot, he is a dangerous match up. He can take a beating and he is willing to take down Silvia.
I say you let Franklin take on Nate M, then maybe Henderson, if he wins, give him Silvia if he is still the champ. By then his contract is just about up, make it his last fight unless he wins.
Plus don’t forget Okami is out there waiting for Silvia.
by Bnewman24 on Sep 4, 2008 12:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
considering Rich wins…. who does he fight next at 205?…
stephin bonner vs rich franklin
thiago silva vs rich franklin
by belfort_fan on Sep 4, 2008 12:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I would love to see him fight Bonner, sokojuo, or the loser of Reshad Evans and Chuck Liddel
by Wanderlei Fan on Sep 4, 2008 2:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I would love to see him fight Bonner, sokojuo, orthe looser of Liddel and Evans.
by Wanderlei Fan on Sep 4, 2008 2:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
sokojou vs franklin would be a beautiful matchup.
by belfort_fan on Sep 4, 2008 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My Favorite Heavyweight fighter is Austin Achorn. LMAO!!!!
by Wanderlei Fan on Sep 4, 2008 2:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
“they didn’t want me fighting contenders because I could eliminate possible title fights”
More BRILLIANT Dana White reasoning there: Franklin is not good enough to beat Silva for the title, but he shouldn’t fight other fighters in that division, because he ‘may’ beat them, thereby eliminating them from a title fight, not that it matters either way because 1) If Franklin can’t beat Silva, no one that Franklin can beat could beat Silva either and more importantly 2) Losing a fight doesn’t mean you don’t get to fight for the title! Case in point Lesnar who some how gets a title fight after losing to Mir and beating Heath the Texas Salami Herring.
by GladI'mNotYou on Sep 4, 2008 3:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Dana wasn’t using MMA math. As the gatekeeper to the title fight, Rich (being the UFC’second best MW barring a fight with Hendo) would continually knock people off the ladder to the top. Conversely, a contender could come up, bypass Franklin, get crushed by Silva, then working back up, get whooped by Rich. It was a no win, so he moved up. Maybe the best way I can put this is : Dana knows more about MMA than any of us on here ever will, so I’ll trust this reasoning.
by chefdaddy on Sep 4, 2008 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am going to catch hell for this I know, but I also think (like BNewman does) that Rich should not leave MW. I know he is a lesser fighter than Anderson Silva, but that is his natural weight class. Yes he got handled twice, but in the same fashion. The difference between him and Hughes is that he still has enough in the tank, that he might be able to effectively retrain. Rich is very strong (as strong as Silva) and has great cardio, and he is fairly fast. In short, he is athletic and tough. If he just goes full on re-training in jits, muah thai, etc, he might be able to beat Silva in a couple of years. He did get some shots in his those two fights. ANderson knew exactly what Rich would do, because Rich was like Hughes in that he did what always worked for him until more versatile fighers came along. I do think he can make a far more competitive fight if he flies to the world’s best camps to train with them, like GSP does.
Wishful thinking, but Rich is tough enough to try.
by Damn on Sep 4, 2008 6:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i think rich moving to lhw made perfect sense until silva started fighting at lhw. now it makes no sense.
besides who is really interested in watching silva destroy anymore mw’s with the exception of a henderson rematch. i think cote vs silva will be completely one sided and hardly worth watching. id much rather see silva try his hand at lhw and fight wandy, rampage, griffin, liddell, ect.
and franklin should stay at mw and be the title gatekeeper. that way whoever wanted to challenge for the mw belt would first have to first fight franklin, which would give franklin awesome fights (which is what he said he wanted) and silva a chance to capture the 205 title. wouldnt you rather see franklin vs cote before cote vs silva. if cote or any mw could miracuously beat franklin then he’d really deserve a shot at anderson silva.
by COR on Sep 4, 2008 7:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
oh wait, in a press conference cote said he’s been working on his lucky punch. go cote go cote
by COR on Sep 4, 2008 7:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well yeah, but didn’t Silva just show he could also move up in weight and dominate? So what happens when it’s Rich vs. Silva @ 205? Silva is going to haunt Franklin pretty much forever.
by Punk Rock Scott on Sep 4, 2008 9:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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