Rich Franklin Explains Why He is the UFC’s “Company Man”
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Rich Franklin Explains Why He is the UFC’s “Company Man”
prophecy033
10/22/12 2:37:33PM
If there was a list of fighters in the UFC under the Zuffa era that the company would always stand behind no matter what, a few names would surely be etched into eternity.
Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar would quickly get added after their fight helped launch the UFC to a whole new stratosphere during The Ultimate Fighter season 1 finale. Former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell will always be remembered for his title reign, and as the face of the company when they finally hit the big time.
Matt Hughes would likely gain the same kind of favor for his performances inside the Octagon and sticking by the UFC no matter what.
If there was another name that would surely be added to that list, it would be former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin.
On more than a few occasions, Franklin has stepped up when the company needed him.
Link
Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar would quickly get added after their fight helped launch the UFC to a whole new stratosphere during The Ultimate Fighter season 1 finale. Former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell will always be remembered for his title reign, and as the face of the company when they finally hit the big time.
Matt Hughes would likely gain the same kind of favor for his performances inside the Octagon and sticking by the UFC no matter what.
If there was another name that would surely be added to that list, it would be former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin.
On more than a few occasions, Franklin has stepped up when the company needed him.
Link
airkerma
10/22/12 2:51:46PM
I wish being "the company man" meant a permanent return to MW and being matched up with some top contenders...like Stann, Bizzz, or Belcher for that matter. I find a lot of fights at mw with Rich to be very compelling, for instance I wish we could have seen him fight Chael.
george112
10/22/12 3:06:31PM
I've always liked Franklin. 
Theoutlaw08
10/22/12 3:30:43PM
What a classy son of a bitch. Fan, and always will be. There needs to be a humble piece to the puzzle. Some many egotistical nut bags out there, glad he provides the balance.
Sir_Karl
10/22/12 3:37:59PM
Near the end of the article Franklin says "I’d never turn down a fight with the UFC," but earlier in the article he admits to turning down a fight with Gustafsson. Actions speak louder than words. Talk is cheap.
Poor_Franklin
10/22/12 3:42:17PM
Posted by Sir_Karl
Near the end of the article Franklin says "I’d never turn down a fight with the UFC," but earlier in the article he admits to turning down a fight with Gustafsson. Actions speak louder than words. Talk is cheap.
Text is Cheap too.
he didnt take Gustafsson on 2 weeks notice. How do you know he didn't mean he wouldn't turn down a fight in the UFC as long as he was given enough time for a full training camp?
frizzzlecake
10/22/12 4:07:41PM
I always liked Rich and always put a bet down on him since the Anderson Silva fights. He's HoF Company Man.imo He's got some great names on his wall, and Cung Le will just be another.
WAR MATH TEACHER!
WAR MATH TEACHER!
Bubbles
10/22/12 4:09:18PM
Posted by Poor_Franklin
Posted by Sir_Karl
Near the end of the article Franklin says "I’d never turn down a fight with the UFC," but earlier in the article he admits to turning down a fight with Gustafsson. Actions speak louder than words. Talk is cheap.
Text is Cheap too.
he didnt take Gustafsson on 2 weeks notice. How do you know he didn't mean he wouldn't turn down a fight in the UFC as long as he was given enough time for a full training camp?
or 4 weeks at the very least
Dberntson
10/22/12 4:17:54PM
He may not be the tougher teacher ever, as Baron Von Raske was a substitute teacher, but I would bet that he is the toughest math teacher in the U.S.
Chieftan1997
10/22/12 7:08:02PM
You gotta love Rich, he's a class act!!! Probably a good thing he turned down the Gustafson fight, I like Rich but I think Alex would be waaaay to big for him and murder him!!!
Manak
10/22/12 8:09:40PM
Posted by airkerma
I wish being "the company man" meant a permanent return to MW and being matched up with some top contenders...like Stann, Bizzz, or Belcher for that matter. I find a lot of fights at mw with Rich to be very compelling, for instance I wish we could have seen him fight Chael.
Rich is still elite too; so it would be a huge test for these guys. rich is gatekeeper who can win most of his fights vs contenders
bjj1605
10/22/12 11:50:42PM
Posted by Manak
Posted by airkerma
I wish being "the company man" meant a permanent return to MW and being matched up with some top contenders...like Stann, Bizzz, or Belcher for that matter. I find a lot of fights at mw with Rich to be very compelling, for instance I wish we could have seen him fight Chael.
Rich is still elite too; so it would be a huge test for these guys. rich is gatekeeper who can win most of his fights vs contenders
If Anderson Silva wasn't the middle weight champion, Rich Franklin could be a lot more than a gate keeper.
He's never been dominated by anyone other than Anderson. He has all the skills you need in MMA and he's got a great mind for fighting. I think there's a decent chance that he could capture the title if Anderson were to retire tomorrow.
Manak
10/23/12 12:14:36PM
Posted by bjj1605
Posted by Manak
Posted by airkerma
I wish being "the company man" meant a permanent return to MW and being matched up with some top contenders...like Stann, Bizzz, or Belcher for that matter. I find a lot of fights at mw with Rich to be very compelling, for instance I wish we could have seen him fight Chael.
Rich is still elite too; so it would be a huge test for these guys. rich is gatekeeper who can win most of his fights vs contenders
If Anderson Silva wasn't the middle weight champion, Rich Franklin could be a lot more than a gate keeper.
He's never been dominated by anyone other than Anderson. He has all the skills you need in MMA and he's got a great mind for fighting. I think there's a decent chance that he could capture the title if Anderson were to retire tomorrow.
completely agree, forgot to add i think he would still be champ if not for anderson.