UFC Quick Quote: Rich Franklin not approached about TUF 9 coaching gig ... yet

by Adam Wagner on Oct 28, 2008 12:36 PM EDT Comment 39 comments

"There’s been rumors and supposedly news that I’m going to be the coach of the next season (of TUF) with a victory over Dan (Henderson), but the UFC hasn’t actually approached me about that or not. I know that they spoke to Dan several months ago about him being a coach, and that was probably well before this fight was planned. But as for me, they haven’t talked to me about it. I actually tried putting a phone call in to Dana himself to ask him about it, and he hasn’t gotten back to me yet. So, I can’t confirm or deny that rumor at this point … I never say never, but it’s not really something that I’m particularly interested in doing again. But with the right incentive, anything can look appealing."

— Rich Franklin talks to MMATraining.com on whether or not he has been approached for a coaching spot on the next season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 9: "U.S. vs. U.K." It’s interesting to note that Franklin claims not to be interested in the opportunity, but yet placed a call in to UFC President Dana White to talk specifically about it. Perhaps "Ace" is working an angle here -- money talks. Regardless, when Franklin and Henderson meet for the main event at UFC 93: "Dublin" on January 17, you can expect fireworks. The TUF coaching job may not be the only thing on the line, as the winner will likely face opposing coach Michael Bisping immediately after the TUF 9 Finale, followed by what could be a title shot.

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hope he won’t be either.

by kevin (some guys hate me...and I don't care) on Oct 28, 2008 12:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

All the U.K.ers who didn’t like the lack of star power in the last UK event, everything should be forgiven with this event; Rich Franklin v Dan Henderson! That’s huge.

by RedDog on Oct 28, 2008 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, well UFC looks to be going back to the UK for UFC 94 and the rumor being discussed right now, is Lidell vs. Anderson

Enjoy you brits, you guys deserve it for sitting through lackluster cards. I am from Philadelphia (tri state area)and the only event we got recently was Bisping/Evans, so I feel your pain!

by john on Oct 28, 2008 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hendo is a jerk, i wanna see him as a coach. He’ll be like BJ calling out all the idiots.

by NameNotRequired on Oct 28, 2008 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What has hendo ever done. he is always a classy fighter. Franklin really comes off like a d bag in this interview.

by onthebutton on Oct 28, 2008 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Only time I didnt like Hendo was in his post fight interview after knocking out wanderlei…. I forget what he said, but I remember not liking it.

Besides that Hendo has always come off as a class act in my eyes

by john on Oct 29, 2008 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That a boy Ace….a little extra green never hurts.

by tripleainto on Oct 28, 2008 12:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

heh

money makes the world go around and around

by Kung Foo on Oct 28, 2008 12:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hahaha “But with the right incentive, anything can look appealing.”

Love that quote.

by DirtyML on Oct 28, 2008 1:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

lol rich franklin saying some cool shizzle for once."get me dat paper and ill sign your paper dana white. Franklin or henderson….the UK team wont benefit at all from this experience and training wise. unless bisping brings in all of wolflair..meaning rampage and kongo and or vera.

by santiago69us on Oct 28, 2008 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah,we’ve already seen how much of an awesome coach quinton is.

by Flying Knee on Oct 29, 2008 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I kind of think the unappealing part is the possibility of kicking Bisping’s ass and then having to fight Silva again.

by PW on Oct 28, 2008 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hendo is more appealing to dana because he was an Olympian. Easier to market him as coach for Team USA as opposed to Midwest guy.

by NameNotRequired on Oct 28, 2008 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Im not exactly sure why the winner would fight Bisping and then possibly a title shot at 185 when the fight between Rich and Dan is at 205… Id like to see the winner of this fight take on the winner of Machida and Silva.

by D on Oct 28, 2008 1:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

agreed

by Robert on Oct 28, 2008 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cha Ching!!!!!!!!!

by introvert on Oct 28, 2008 1:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Im not sure why the winner would fight Bisping and then possibly a title shot at 185 when the fight between Rich and Dan is at 205… Id like to see the winner of this fight take on the winner of Machida and Silva.

by D on Oct 28, 2008 1:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m confused… Rich wanted to move to 205 and did, then if he beats Hendo at 205, a fight with Bisbing for #1 contender at 185 after the show. That just makes absoultely no sense to me. TUF is now even screwing up #1 contender status, WTF!

by BNF on Oct 28, 2008 1:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Maybe thats what he is talking about in term of “incentive”. it doesnt make sense unless you change the stipulations…IF….IF franklin does decide to do tuf and fight bisping. the situation can be BIG money fight for franklin win or lose…very likly a WIN tho. and for bisping..BIG PPV time and IF…IF he beats franklin…titleshot. Hendo fighting him wouldnt be as big tho but it would be contender fight for sure. id bisping loses..let him fight Toquieno(palhares) see if his lime lite is reall deserved or not!

by santiago69us on Oct 28, 2008 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yea, I dont know about Rich/Bisping for the #1 contender spot? Because thats Rich’s fight to win and would make Anderson/Rich 3??? Hendo/Bisping sounds much better to me! Hendo/Anderson 2 looks better! Or if by some miracle Bisping can get by either of the two, then we get to see the Spider destroy him!

by JV on Oct 28, 2008 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t even think Rich has any interest in a 3rd fight. Maybe he thinks he will move back to 185 to get the title after Anderson retires. I would rather see Bisbing vs Marquardt or the winner of Quarry/Maia than waiting to fight the winner of a 205 match up in 8 months from now.

by BNF on Oct 28, 2008 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

its possible dana is confident that hendo will win the fight. Then he can have bisping and hendo fight #1 contender and either Bisping could challenge silva, or hendo can rematch silva. That could be why Henderson has been approached and Franklin has not. Also, coaches for tuf don’t necessarily have to fight each other after the show is done.

by James S on Oct 28, 2008 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess they don’t always fight, but that seems to be the trend lately. And USA vs UK as a title, leads me to believe the coaches will definatly fight each other.

by BNF on Oct 28, 2008 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dana would not be so bold as to think either Hendo or Franklin to be a for sure shot. I think he lays the wins down like this.

Hendo wins, he goes on to coach the next TUF and fights rival coach Bisping at the finale. Beating Bisping makes Hendo number one contender for a shot against Silva

Franklin wins, he goes on to coach the next TUF and fights rival coach Bisping at the finale. Beating Bisping makes Franklin undisputed No 2 MW and subsequently closes all claims for a title shot against Silva, which allows Silva and Franklin to not have to fluctuate between weights and to try their hand at dominating the LHW scene

Bisping of course will coach the TUF season and a win over either Hendo or Franklin will give him a title shot against Silva.

Okami will face Dean and a win against him will give him his shot against Silva. (just made sure nobody thought I forgot about Okami)

I know the Franklin scenario is a stretch but remember Silva would like to retire within a year so denying claims to a title shot for a full year (not counting Okami’s shot) would not be so farfetched.

*Please also note that a win for Franklin against Hendo and maybe his fight against Bisping becomes a LHW match thus making a loss for Bisping almost irrelavant but makes a win for either Franklin or Bisping go a long way to help either out in their perspective weight classes. (just an idea)

by Cogito Ergo Sum on Oct 28, 2008 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

jaja money money… i wanna see dan henderson being coach and kick bisping’s ass :D!!!

by Ryosuke on Oct 28, 2008 1:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hendo vs Marquardt would have made a lot more sense,both want another shot at Silva.Franklin on the other hand,i’m pretty damn sure wants no part of another spider beatdown.Hence his move to 205.

by Flying Knee on Oct 28, 2008 1:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I like Rich but he will not get by Hendo period.

by Jizzo on Oct 28, 2008 1:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Pretty bold statement. its a hard fight to call for sure..but styles make a fight..Rich is a great counter fighter as well as being an agressive one. he was excellent take down defense and a nice clean jits game to compliment him. Hendo can push the pace for sure but rich will keep up easy. rich just need to watch those over hands and he can pick him a part to decision or 3rd round tko. hendo can possible end this fight with one punch. but franklin has alot of resiliency. franklin is able to recover from being hurt quite fast. hendo will problably look to bang in this fight. i only see takedowns as a last resort for him. if hendo can fight smart with his head up he can wint this too..chance are these guy will make on hell of a fight. and it will go to a decision. which would he franklins 3rd career decison.

by santiago69us on Oct 28, 2008 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

In the same interview he said he had no interest in going to 185 again. I think it’ll be neither Hendo or Franklin (and in fact the dates don’t work for filming).

I think UFC will use either an Elite XC or WEC angle. Filho or Lawler, but waiting to sort contracts before announcing.

by Leeroy on Oct 28, 2008 2:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Straight up running from Bisping! Hendo is 40 so Bisping can get his title shot!

by Tony on Oct 28, 2008 2:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yea im sure franklin is scared of michael bisping!! lol

No matter who bisping fights, franklin or henderson… bisping will lose!

by mike22 on Oct 28, 2008 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rich Franklin will not beat Hendo. Henderson will win and get a rematch with Silva. Bisping will fight Okami or Marquardt next.

by horny for mma on Oct 28, 2008 2:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don’t really care if the coaches fight in the end. They don’t fight at the finale, so it’s anti climatic. Also, it seems like there’s always some event that keeps them from fighting right after the show. At that point, it just becomes another fight. Never mind being tied up for the duration of the show’s broadcast schedule.

by Jrandolph on Oct 28, 2008 2:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

As soon as the fight starts, Franklin should take a knee so Henderson can’t use any kicks or knees to Franklin’s head.
;=)

by Talkman on Oct 28, 2008 3:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Rich should work on his punching accuracy hed be amazing then. Id love to see Rampage ko ACe ventura though. Or feed Machida to RAmpage.

by Colin D on Oct 28, 2008 4:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

you mean feed rampage to machida right? why the hell does rampage even fit into this picture?

by medecine balls on Oct 28, 2008 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

TUF sucks … plain and simple. I used to watch it back in seasons 1 – 3 when it was exciting to see them in the house. Now it’s just the same old predictable crap and all it does in the end is delay big fights.

What a waste. It does more bad than good for MMA now. Just a bunch of kids swearing and breaking stuff in a house.

by tripleainto on Oct 28, 2008 5:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ace takes the fight by split decision. unless he gets KTFO.. very exciting matchup, one i’ve been looking forward to seeing for a looong long time!

by Ted on Oct 28, 2008 5:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzz tell me your serious about liddell v silva coming to the uk?? Where did you hear that??!!!

that would defo make up for the poor cards wev been getting:)

Franklin would be a very strange choice as he is now committed to the 205 division, dont really see whast good comes of him being the coach at 185 against bisping??

by mo on Oct 28, 2008 9:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs