UFC Quick Quote: With Couture on the horizon, Rich Franklin looking for one last title run
by Jesse Holland on Mar 18, 2010 12:16 PM EDT
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"It’s not signed yet, but we’ve been working Randy now for a while. We’ve talked June, then we talked August and now we’re talking June again. I think we’re having problems with Randy’s scheduling. So I really don’t know what the plan is at this point. I’m at a point now where I’ve fought enough fights and it’s time for me to make a title run again and see where that takes me. That’s where my focus is now. The last show I went to was New Year’s Eve and I happened to be sitting next to Randy that night. We’re sitting there joking around. He and I went to the Middle East together. It’s not somebody that you necessarily look to for fighting. My standard answer when they say, `Hey we want you to fight so and so?’ is I say `How does Randy feel about that?’ If he’s cool with it professionally, great. That doesn’t mean we’re not going to be friends when it’s all said and done."
Former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin (25-5) talks with the Boston Herald about making another run at division gold while negotiating a possible June 12 fight against living legend Randy Couture at UFC 115 in Vancouver. "Ace" was stopped in the first round of his main event fight against Vitor Belfort at UFC 103 and has remained on the sidelines ever since. A bout with "The Natural" could be entertaining -- but do any fantasy matchmakers out there have a better opponent in mind?
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inevitable failure in this venture
good on him for still going for it. but still… Rich vs any top 5 LHW sounds like a disaster to me.
Fedor with a gun... ULTIMATE DANGER!!!
by Spinning Fat Kick on Mar 18, 2010 12:19 PM EDT reply actions
good thing Randy isn’t a top 5 LHW. I like this matchup. Nice job, Joe Silva.
On a side note, I actually think Rich would beat Rashad or Rampage rather handily.
Anderson Silva is p4p the greatest fighter of all time, Fedor and GSP fear the mighty Spider
i see franklin beating rashad, but i think rampage vs franklin would look alot like rampage vs hendo.
I'm old school hating Lesnar, I've been hating Lesnar since '08
Rashad vs Rich would be a great matchup. Rampage vs Rich would end bad for Rich, Page has too much power and is a better boxer.
there's still something so unifying about sport in it's purest form, when athletes rise above themselves and touch greatness and in doing so remind us all that we also have greatness inside of us.
Hmmm...
I kind of disagree. Of course Rampage could knock out Franklin but I see Fanklin being smart and not trying to brawl. With that said, Rashad would be much faster than Franklin and could take it to the ground as well.
by Edgecrusher71 on Mar 18, 2010 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Rich will beat Randy!
Rich better NEVER set foot in a cage with Page!
Rashad vs. Rich would be co-main event worthy for sure!
Would really like to see Rich vs. Thiago Silva
I'd like Rich Vera, but that'd have to be Vera winning vs Jones, and Randy beating Rich for that to happen.
Thiago would kill Rich.
My breakout fighter for this coming year: Terry Etim
Upset of the Year: John Hathaway over Diego Sanchez
you think Rich would have a bigger shot at beating Page ec71? don’t think so. Page is a much better striker than Rich is and he would absolutely outmuscle him.
there has never been and will never be an opponent who can hit and run from Rampage in a fight, the defensive skill and the counter punching he has would make that impossible, and if it happened to be possible he’d only take it to the ground.
there's still something so unifying about sport in it's purest form, when athletes rise above themselves and touch greatness and in doing so remind us all that we also have greatness inside of us.
Didnt forrest pretty much hit and run all night when he beat page??
Its not impossible to think rich could win that fight.. He is more technical than forrest and has more power.. Specially if page doesn’t check those kicks! he could be in for a tough fight..
"The Red-eyed Jedi...holds a 7th degree Black Belt in Bonghitisu"
by ItsNormlToSmokePot on Mar 18, 2010 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions
well Rich will have to fight at least one top 5 guy to get at the title...
it’s not like WW, they aren’t short of contenders.
Fedor with a gun... ULTIMATE DANGER!!!
by Spinning Fat Kick on Mar 18, 2010 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Shogun didn't
He lost to arguable Top 5 Forrest, and fought unimpressively against Coleman and honestly not so impressively against Chuck (who wasn’t TOP 5) till he got that big punch. He hadn’t beaten a Top 5er when he got a title shot and look how good he did against Machida! Beating Randy is worth at least as much as beating Chuck and Rich is a former champ, and as we’ve seen lately, it all comes down to scheduling. If other guys are tied up with injuries, rematches, grudge matches etc, anything’s possible. I’m with John G. I think Rich vs Thiago is an awesome matchup, I like Rich vs Rashad too.
While I do think
Rich will beat Randy. What will he beat Rashad or Rampage with A Bat? cause thats the only way lol.
BTW Fedor scared of Anderson LOL.. and Losses to chinese guys dont make you number being Undefeated and beating everyone put infront of you does.
Wayne Gretsky, Michael Jordan, Joe Montana, Muhammed Ali, FEDOR EMLELIANKO
by The real ZACK on Mar 18, 2010 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Number 1
Number 1
Wayne Gretsky, Michael Jordan, Joe Montana, Muhammed Ali, FEDOR EMLELIANKO
by The real ZACK on Mar 18, 2010 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions
err I hate AS I lost a bet to David, who clings to Andy’s nuts.
Anderson Silva is p4p the greatest fighter of all time, Fedor and GSP fear the mighty Spider
OHH
because that quote smacked me in the… thats how outrageous it is. Number 1 being Fedor is not scared to fight anyone and neither is GSP.
Wayne Gretsky, Michael Jordan, Joe Montana, Muhammed Ali, FEDOR EMLELIANKO
by The real ZACK on Mar 18, 2010 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions
It was the most obnoxious thing that I could come up with
That’s what happens when you bet on Bisping.
"Not a lot of professional sports down here (in Australia)"
"We just had our best season (of TUF) last season and it was season 10"
"Nogueira is probabaly the best HW of all time"
Dana White, proving that he's clueless about Australian sports, has never heard of Fedor and is still trying to hype up TUF 10.
by David W-S on Mar 18, 2010 7:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Franklin vs Liddell
Couture vs Belfort (who said his injury was healing faster than expected)
I'm old school hating Lesnar, I've been hating Lesnar since '08
naw im absolutely pumped for this one
Both are fantastic and extremely well spoken men that are great for the sport. I don’t want either to lose, and I’m think Randy will be the favorite thus making me have to throw some money down of Ace, cause I really don’t know how anyone can say this is a gimme for either fighter. Truth is this is a very tight match up and it definitely has the potential to go either way.
I really can’t wait. Highly anticipated fight in my books.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Mar 18, 2010 12:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
i think money on ace is a good bet worbs.
dont see randy subbing him, i can see randy taking him down but i think rich will be able to get back up. watch for lots of body kicks from jim carey, too. I love couture, and i hate going against him, but rich is also one of my original favorites and i see him pulling off the decision in this one.
by Andrew Keller on Mar 18, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions
ya like i said i really will not be surprised
…to see either win at all. Unless its by flash KO I won’t be shocked at all. But I still feel ill be very entertained. Ya just gotta throw down money on whoever the dog is and I expect it to be Ace. Too close. I aint calling this fight.
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Mar 18, 2010 1:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
If Rich fights smart it’s his to lose. He is a far better striker than Randy, and if Rich keeps his distance he can beat up Randy with kicks and quick combos, just the way Vera should have.
The weather is here, I wish you were beautiful
I think Randy will use his Vera game plan and smother Rich for the decision victory.
Friends and lovers lie endlessly, caught in the web of duty. Only enemies speak the truth.
-Stephen King
Vera’s dumb ass played right into Randy’s hands. He tried to grapple and clinch with him and gave the judges an opportunity to give Randy the fight, which they did.
The weather is here, I wish you were beautiful
Agree 100%
Rich is crafty enough to be able to stay out of trouble in Randy’s clinch. It’s not like Randy’s dirty boxing is as dominant as A. Silva’s muay thai clinch which we all know Rich couldn’t handle…I see this being a close competitive fight i.e. Rich-Wandy with Rich having a good game plan and craftily negating Randy’s strengths.
by Captain Ernesto on Mar 18, 2010 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Can Rich avoid the TD? I'm not so sure.
Much less that he could get off his back if Randy gets him there. Tito couldn’t and he’s stronger than Rich. Vitor couldn’t and he’s quicker and has better jitz.
All Class . . . .
This would be so interesting to see. Two of the sports classiest guys. The crowd would not know who to cheer for. Really looking forward to seeing these two legends throw down.
Truth
I think Iwould have to go for rich, be about 60/40 for me…….
Oh, yes, Meg, yes-yes yes, everything was going swimmingly for you until this. Yes, yes, THIS is the thing that will ruin your reputation, not your years of grotesque appearance, or your awkward social graces, or that Felix Ungerish way you clear your sinuses, no no no, it's THIS. Do you hear yourself talk? I might kill you tonight.
I would have to go with
Rich as well just because he seems more of a threat to the belt and more relevant that Randy does.
by Edgecrusher71 on Mar 18, 2010 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Love the matchup
2 old school guys fighting while they still have something left in them.
tough fight to pick, hopefully rich can keep the distance and win on strikes
Loyality before Reality
Agreed
I kind of see Rich as a gatekeeper now though. I don’t think he’ll ever be relevant in title talks anymore.
Franklin and Couture looking for making money. Both won’t get success running for the title.
"Once Flamengo, Flamengo until die"
Agreed, EC.
Friends and lovers lie endlessly, caught in the web of duty. Only enemies speak the truth.
-Stephen King
ya can you imagine a fighter or any worker wanting money?
Assholes!
worbanizer
by daniel worby on Mar 18, 2010 1:36 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
This could end up like the Vera-Couture fight
if Rich isn’t careful. Rich fights southpaw as well, and has a great left body kick. He’s WAY more aggressive than Vera though, and if he dropped Randy like Vera did, Rich would be able to finish him. However, I do see this potentially being a classic Wall ’N Stall from Randy UD. I love both guys, been fans of both guys from the get-go, but I think Rich has better match ups available in the future. Go Rich by TKO.
I liked Rich vs Chuck better than this
My breakout fighter for this coming year: Terry Etim
Upset of the Year: John Hathaway over Diego Sanchez
Rich doesn't have Vera's Greco skills.
If Randy gets him in the clinch, his only defense is knees and that sets him up for Randy to take him down. I love Rich and consider him a much better fighter overall than Vera, but it was Vera’s greco that saved him from Randy’s usual GnP and Rich doesn’t have that. If Couture gets hold of him, he’s in trouble.
Repeat story
This is actually a repeat story from the past few years. They just changed the opponent’s name in the headline.
I think they might be able to make the story work again in about 2 years.
we shall see
i like both fighters but Randy has to be about done. Im pulling for ace
Open up the Shit Gates and God Bless Marv
I do think Franklin/Liddell is more interesting than Franklin/Couture
Because Rich and Chuck have similar skillsets and will bang it out. Rich has never faced a wrestler anywhere near Couture’s size or skill. It’s possible he has hidden skills he’s never had to use, but I think the odds are against him having any answer to Randy’s GnP.
don't get mad at me cause your boy only has like 2 fights in him and thats it
Open up the Shit Gates and God Bless Marv
at least randy doesnt cry like a bitch when he looses
by CoutureisKing on Mar 18, 2010 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions
don't force me to throw shots at Randy cause i like him
so have some respect for your king
Open up the Shit Gates and God Bless Marv
He should
b fighting forrest griffen or tiago silva or maybe the winner of jones/vera.
Nate r u retarded stupid dumb or blind? dana and chuck both said that it was a rumor about ace n liddel. Open your eyes
by hehehe hahaha on Mar 18, 2010 1:51 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Hope they get it on, both cool guys, and I think it would be a war. Rich won’t let Randy hold him against the cage for a 15 min snoozefest like Vera did. Think Randy would win though, but would love either to finish the other. Win Win
If I'm free it's cos I'm always running - Jimi Hendrix
by Jimi_kiss the sky on Mar 18, 2010 3:18 PM EDT reply actions
What Vera did was amazing
How many guys has Randy clinched with and not been able to take down? Rich may be a better fighter than Vera, but he doesn’t have the Greco background or the size to avoid Randy pulling him down. Unless Rich’s scramble is as good as Chuck’s was 5 years ago, his only viable game plan is Machida-style-hit-n-run. If he tries to stand and bang with Randy, it’ll be a short trip from the center of the octogon to the wall to the floor.
Fair point
Guess I was watching it as more of a spectator
If I'm free it's cos I'm always running - Jimi Hendrix
by Jimi_kiss the sky on Mar 19, 2010 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
anyone know what the odds are on this fight?
I get my ass kicked for money, all you gotta do is talk motherfucker.... Rampage Pride GP03
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