Rich Franklin reportedly training with Anderson Silva for UFC 99 bout against Wanderlei Silva
by Jesse Holland on Apr 27, 2009 11:49 AM EDT
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Nothing personal, just business.
Former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin is calling on the man who dethroned him, current 185-pound deity Anderson Silva, to help prepare him for Wanderlei Silva at UFC 99 according to the Journal-News.com.
Franklin (24-4) is coming off a split decision loss to Dan Henderson at UFC 93 in a monster 205-pound showdown from the O2 Arena in Dublin, Ireland, back on January 17.
Prior to being edged out by Hendo, "Ace" was perfect inside the Octagon, save for two crushing defeats at the hands of "The Spider" at UFC 77: "Hostile Territory" back in 2007 and UFC 64: "Unstoppable" a year before that.
Franklin may be a gifted striker and former UFC champ, but he's not taking any chances against "The Axe Murderer" come June 13 -- even if it means putting an end to the recent happy-talk between him and Wanderlei.
Despite their upcoming throwdown, the two enjoyed the typical schmaltzy love-fest that some fighters employ to show how much they respect their opponent, including praise of their skills, etc. Franklin even had plans to train at Wandy's gym in Las Vegas following their fight.
If this report is accurate, Wanderlei may soon renege on that invitation.
Wandy was critical of Anderson Silva's most recent performance against Thales Leites at UFC 97, and prior to that declared war on the "cocky" champ after Anderson said Wandy was "pretentious" for moving down to middleweight for a possible piece of the 185-pound pie.
I also heard that Ed Soares was spreading rumors about him during study hall.
Anyway, Anderson and Wanderlei have been slinging mud lately, and now Ace wants to jump in and get his hands dirty.
Perhaps it's to play mind games with he who murders with Axe? Or maybe Jorge Gurgel's right-hand man simply wants the inside scoop from Wandy's old Chute Boxe training partner?
I have a feeling this isn't the last we've heard from any of these guys.
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Anderson vs. Wanderlei! Make it happen Joe!
by Juji Gatame on Apr 27, 2009 11:52 AM EDT reply actions
Good job on the photoshop. That pic is hilarious.
by Nokimono on Apr 27, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
The bad blood for the super match is already starting to boil. Gotta love it. Anderson wants a challenge, I believe he’s got one coming up.
by DSmith on Apr 27, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Wandy is gonna hate franklin because cuz of the beef he’s got with Silva.
I still don’t understand what the ufc is doing with franklin putting him in fights like this and his last one. so… war the axe murderer!
by TRIKZ on Apr 27, 2009 11:53 AM EDT reply actions
I dont’ get it either, ya it makes for interesting fights, but really throwing someone up and down weight classes really messes up a fighter cuz he’s trying to gain weight and make a good cut for 205, then all of sudden he went back to 185, now 195 i think is the catch weight or something- either way this is gonna be a sick fight. i don’t see too much drama cuz of this cuz it is just business why shouldn’t Rich train with Anderson? its not like those two will fight again, he’s just preparing himself to win…
War Both fighters put on a good show!!
by ricky on Apr 27, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I know Rich said he would like to train with Wandy after this fight but I wonder how Wandy will take this news. I think it was him who stated he’d never help a non Brazilian train to fight a Brazilian. I can only see heat generated over this… and I don’t mind. I’d like to see an fired Wandy and Franklin try to crack skulls. We just haven’t been given the same old Wandy or Franklin as of late, they are still great fighters but that flare isn’t the same as when they had their titles. Hopefully we see someone put to sleep. Franklin via tko (probably decision at best tho)
by Cogito Ergo Sum on Apr 27, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I see Rich getting knocked into next week with his technical strikes! Wand will be moving forward and pushing the pace!
by kevin on Apr 27, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t see that all. Rich is long and circles off well. He will frustrate and beat Wandy. I have a pretty penny on this one.
by Punch You in the Ovaries on Apr 27, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions
i just hate seeing that look in franklins eyes that he had both times the spider worked a new nose for him..if he can stealth around and not take too many bombs from wandy he should do well..but..once he is hit really hard, he kinda glasses over..
by sarah on Apr 27, 2009 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions
who in hell has ever been able to avoid wandy’s bombs? NO ONE!!! only people to survive were a few fighters with great chins like Rampage, Hendo, Mark Hunt, and Chuck when his chin was worth a damn! Franklin does not have that type of chin! His chin wont be able to withstand much of wandy’s assault, and Wandy is just too damn aggressive to avoid for an entire fight. I dont think Rich can finish Wandy standing…his only chance of ending the fight is G n P, and thats still a slim chance…I just dont see Franklin being able to avoid Wandy’s bombs for 15 minutes to win the decision.
Its not going to end well for Rich!
by john on Apr 27, 2009 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Why do you think Franklin doesn’t have a great chin? I know he got dropped by Loiseau and Tanner, but he was able to get right back up both times, and they were long fights and he continued to dominate. I don’t see any reason why Rich won’t be able to dodge Wandy’s bombs. He dodged plenty of Hendo’s and, to me, never seemed rocked.
by Synyster on Apr 27, 2009 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Fair enough syn. Good points. Here is my rebutal:
Maybe I under rate Rich’s chin, but I know 1 thing for sure:
wandy’s power will CRUMBLE Rich’s chin NO Matter how good it is! if he connects that is…my guess is that he does!
Not to sound condescending but did you ever see what wandy did to Fujita? lol… Fujita can take a punch as good as anyone, wandy Crumbled his chin with a punch! rich’s chin is definitely not up to par with Fujita’s!
I also think the mental edge will go to silva. Lets face it, when you face Wanderlei, you are shook! I dont care who the F you are, or how tough you are. Just thinking of his Tai clinch will have Rich a little shook, at least in the beginning. Does anyone honestly think that wanderlei will be shook? He has faced a lot scarier people then Rich Franklin, nO offense. MMA math doesnt mean anything but Overall, I dont think anyone can deny that Silva has beaten way better comp, then rich has beaten…and thats a Fact!
Should be a great fight. Its probably going to be a great, hard fought fight….but you have to admit, wanderlei has the potential to steam roll right over Rich….amd Rich does not have that ability to do that in return to wandy.
Advantage Axe Murderer!
by john on Apr 27, 2009 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Well you should be putting money where your mouth is then John. -145 for Rich +115 for Wandy.
I always boast my 16/16 record for my lock calls. Somebody remember this post. I’m calling Franklin a lock. I’m sure of it.
Synyster, as usual, I agree completely with your post.
You can tell John is all pumped up on cheerleader juice.
by Punch You in the Ovaries on Apr 27, 2009 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions
what part of my post do u not find accurate?
FYI, u know me better then that! I always put my money where my mouth is, and as you probably know…I have done pretty well for myself betting the past couple of years!
by john on Apr 27, 2009 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I wasn’t being a smartass. I really mean I hope you have money on Wandy.
I guess the part I don’t agree with is Rich doesn’t have the ability to steam roll Wandy. I think he does. It may not be a brutal KO, but I think Rich will stop him. Maybe drop him and finish with some GnP.
by Punch You in the Ovaries on Apr 27, 2009 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions
agreed. Leg kicks will be his only defense
by Cut the Blue Wire on Apr 27, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
what about his world class striking that made him the MW champ for so long? Hendo (lost in my opinion) only eaked out a decisoin. I don’t know how Wandy is going to perform better. Franklin has lots of chances. Wandy has one and that’s to land a serious bomb on the button.
by Punch You in the Ovaries on Apr 27, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed. IMO Rich is not easy to beat. Wandy had a tough time with Chuck and Rich is a more well rounded striker and fighter over all. This is a bad match up for Wandy. And a pointless one for Rich. Rich gains nothing from beating Wandy. He should be fighting someone more relevant like Forrest, or Shogun.
Also, Rich training with the Spider is awesome. Who knows, maybe he might learn how to de-code the Spider and finally beat him…
by Caknakker on Apr 27, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Ovaries: I love Rich, but lets keep it real, MW division was very weak when Rich was kingpin. I mean his toughest opponent was probably the Crow. He fought guys like Quarry, Ken Shamrock, Dewees. Tanner was a great win for rich….I hate to say it and take anything away from such a classy guy like Rich, but If I am being honest, I think the division was crap when he was champ.
I will also agree that I think Rich was robbed of the decision against Hendo!
by john on Apr 27, 2009 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions
+1 Rich didn’t lose to Hendo. HOWEVER, it was a bad spot for Rich to win anyway. I don’t really like Hendo THAT much, but my scenario for Rich was to lose a split that could very easily gone the other way. That way, he doesn’t lose much face, and he doesn’t have to (potentially) fight Anderson again. Only plus would be to see him vs Bisping (I think it would’ve been a GREAT fight), but the positives outweigh the negatives. I’m glad the way things turned out.
by Synyster on Apr 27, 2009 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions
As usual, I agree Synyster.
John, I agree the division was weaker, but Hendo and Bisping are fighting for the right to challenge aderson and in our mutual opinion, he beat Hendo. Rich has such a cool skillset, combined with heart. And while he’s not a brutal KO striker, he does get his knockouts.
by Punch You in the Ovaries on Apr 27, 2009 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions
What they are doing is making the most out of a top 5 middleweight in the world who can’t fight for a title as long as Silva has it. No one wants Silva Franklin 3. So the only thing to do with him and to keep credibility is give him fights like this. You can’t put him in there with the up and commers because he send them all back down and the UFC will have no contenders.
by getrawbc on Apr 27, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m glad Franklin is staying to 205, but I would have liked to see him vs Marquardt, just to round out the rest of the MW division. Aside from him, and Maia/Leites, Franklins fought everyone at 185. Maybe a fight with the Crippler or Bisping would be good.
Speaking of Maia, Franklin has shown good sub defence in the Lutter armbar, and I think the Okami Kimura, and JMac almost had a weird inverted triangle on him. I wonder how Rich’s sub defense would hold vs Demian. Just food for thought.
At 205 I want Ace vs Iceman/Truth!!!
by Synyster on Apr 27, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I would rather see Franklin at MW and have Anderson go to LHW. That way at MW, there are a number of guys who could be champ at any givin time.
by JV on Apr 27, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions
I would love to see the Iceman vs Franklin too Synyster. In Chuck’s prime he would ko Franklin, but now I think it would be a great fight. IMO Franklin doesn’t have oun punch ko power so I could see them banging for awhile!
by brac on Apr 27, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree JV, but if Franklin became the MW champ again it would be lame. He’d be the default champ because he can’t beat the real champ. It’s a tough dilema the UFC is in right now!
by kevin on Apr 27, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Great…Frankiln’s learning how to not get hit and backpeddle….sounds like a plan. (rolling eyes)
by introvert on Apr 27, 2009 11:58 AM EDT reply actions
Rich’s diabolical plan comes to fruition… He uses the feud between Silva and Silva to train with Silva, find holes in Silva’s game during camp and adjust his style so that after this match with Silva he can reclaim his MW title from Silva and finally leave this mere shell of his former championship self behind recapturing UFC MW Glory.
by O damn he got caught on Apr 27, 2009 12:04 PM EDT reply actions
LOL!!! Nice theory. This doesn’t surprise me, because Anderson always had a ton of respect for Rich, and always said he was his toughest competitor even though he beat the snot out of him.
by LJ on Apr 27, 2009 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I wish these two would turn it in with the whole mutual respect lovefest thing they’ve got going on.
by attakdog on Apr 27, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions
LOL…that would be pretty clever. Although I dont think it would work. Silva is Franklin’s cryptonite.
by Stryker on Apr 27, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I think people read way too much into the recent statements made by Wanderlei and Anderson. As far Anderson Silva is concerned there’s no beef and he respects Wanderlei, etc. Maybe you guys need to check out the recent Tatame Anderson Silva interview because as far as he’s concerned there’s no animosity, just a misunderstanding . . . probably more lack of reading comprehension lost in translation.
“I’ll pretend that this never happened, because it’s ridiculous. Sometimes people make us say about some things, but I never said anything that was supposedly disrespect to Wanderlei. Indeed, I talked about Demian, because I think is a bit of pretension Demian commenting that wants to dispute for the belt. I’ve never done this, I always respect everyone. When I fought for the first time in the UFC, I didn’t ask for the belt, I deserved that. I’ve never challenged any champion, I think that with this I would be pretentious and wouldn’t be myself. But I’m ok, each one knows what to do. I wish all these people who are talking to be happy, I’m not worried about that. My job is well done and I’m not worried in doing gossip.” – Anderson Silva.
I guess fans want to write their own story, looking to add hype to a fight that has not been signed.
Rich training with Anderson? That sounds great. Maybe he will be able to pick up some great muay thai skills for MMA.
by Vee on Apr 27, 2009 12:26 PM EDT reply actions
Everyone check me out, I can write in bold!
by attakdog on Apr 27, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions
lol, I was impressed! I can’t do bold or smiley faces!
by kevin on Apr 27, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Smiley faces are dead easy Kev, bold on the other hand, now that is impressive!
by attakdog on Apr 27, 2009 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Seriously guys,how yall do those things?I’m no compu wiz,and i really don’t know how to do smiley faces,post a direct link,or write in bold!Do you use Words or something..?
by Alpha Male 360 on Apr 27, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
links are easy, just rt click and copy the link! then paste it!
smileys and bold…I have no idea!
by kevin on Apr 27, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Type in : followed by – followed by ) That should give you a nice smiley face! :-)
by attakdog on Apr 27, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
If that was a joke,i’ll say..as usual your really funny?
by Alpha Male 360 on Apr 27, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions
: – ) Delete the spaces and hey presto, one lovely shiney yellow smiley face. Come on guys, keep up!
by attakdog on Apr 27, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Well done Kev. Substitute the : for a ; and you’ve got a winking face ;-)
by attakdog on Apr 27, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions
wow, I learned something new today. glad I got it out of the way early…now I just got to do my good deed and then I’m ready for bed!
by kevin on Apr 27, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Damn!i’m sorry dude,i thought that you were making fun at me!:-)
by Alpha Male 360 on Apr 27, 2009 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions
nope, I’m not really that smart alpha, if it were a joke, it would have been funnier!
by kevin on Apr 27, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Kev,i wasn’t saying that to you!But thanks for direct link tip.Now you won’t be able to tell me that at least you got a direct link.Just,like the other day,i was trying to post you,funny pictures of chuck new job.I don’t know if you ever seen the pictures of BJ Penn project,by clicking on my name.But they are made by the same guys,and they are really good in what,they do.Anyway,one of them,was him lay down on the top off a desk.I try many times to post it when you make the joke about him for the UFC undisputed 2009 cover.Mania and their wisdom never post it.I don’t know why because i wasn’t saying anything bad. ;-)
by Alpha Male 360 on Apr 27, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Nice post Vee. Media is Media so I always take what they report with a grain of salt. Thanks for his post because it does help clear thing up.
by Machine on Apr 27, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Franklin is like Liddell—he should quit before he gets humiliated again. He’s a sad remnant of his past.
by Smarg on Apr 27, 2009 1:21 PM EDT reply actions
LOL I would love to see the sparring sessions, franklin must look like hannibal lector with a face mask on to avoid those knee’s LOL.
by nathan on Apr 27, 2009 1:32 PM EDT reply actions
Smart on Rich’s part. He may be best friends with George but he needs some good traing partners and I can’t think of anyone any better than Anderson Silva.
by brac on Apr 27, 2009 1:58 PM EDT reply actions
Franklin desperately needs a new training camp. Its fitting he is friends with Matt Hughes, two guys that refused to round out their game. Franklin TKO’d people so he didn’t think he needed to round out his training. Now he’s trying to catch up with lost time.
by DAMN! on Apr 27, 2009 2:05 PM EDT reply actions
Franklin desperately needs a new training camp. Its fitting he is friends with Matt Hughes, two guys that refused to round out their game. Franklin TKO’d people so he didn’t think he needed to round out his training. Now he’s trying to catch up with lost time.
by DAMN! on Apr 27, 2009 2:05 PM EDT reply actions
In every picture with these two, it appears Rich becomes more terrified the closer that Anderson gets to him.
by DirtyML on Apr 27, 2009 2:55 PM EDT reply actions
I wonder if Rich is gona challenge Anderso after cuz he knows all of his weapons. prob not cuz he’ll b getin ko 5 times a day wen they spar. War Ace
by Beast3000 on Apr 28, 2009 12:00 AM EDT reply actions
I’m going with Franklin on this one by KO or decision. Silvs chin has been cracked and he doesn’t have the option of pumping steroids into his system like in Japan. The fight will be similar to Silvs last fight with Rampage. Both fighters will be reluctant to strike, silva will swing wildly, Franklin will land one to the chin and then its good night Irene. I hope this time Wanderlei doesn’t get blasted in the face after he been knocked out though. Hardcore Silva fans must hate Cro Cop cos Silva has never been the same.
by Jez on May 29, 2009 9:44 AM EDT reply actions
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