Who should be Rich Franklins first fight at 205lbs? |
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MMA Sensei
Career record: 221-124
Season: 45-23 (#281)
Location: In the cheap seats.
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Posted by MMAcca
Give him some credit, he's a bit better than gatekeeper imo. He's at least the 3rd best MW in the UFC definately (possibly 2nd as he hasn't fought Hendo yet)
Posted by whardin19
Franklin is no gate keeper in my mind either. The guy is still a top 5 middleweight in my opinion. But, if he wants to jump up to 205 more power to him. He's a big 185 so why not try it out if he doesn't think he's gonna get another chance at 185. Whatever he wants to do I support him, I'm a big fan.
Right on.
Franklin would be too much for every other UFC Middleweight right now. Lutter is in trouble. After that, I could see Franklin beating Marquardt and Kampmann. If Okami wants another piece, I think Franklin would beat him again, probably more decisively. Regardless of who wins at UFC 82, I say bring on Hendo.
Last edited 2/17/08 11:57AM by AchillesHeel
Edit note/reason: n/a
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Post #16 2/17/08 11:56:22AM
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ocho-cinco
In Full Mount
Career record: 180-104
Season: 40-30 (#1511)
Location: Nelson BC
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Posted by hippysmacker
Posted by MMAcca
Posted by ocho-cinco
I dout Franklin will ever hold a belt again as long as Silva and Hendo are around, so he might as well try his luck at 205. If he stays at 185, he will just be going in circles. At 205 the UFC would be able to hype his fights alot better especially if he could get a few wins, and I think there are for sure some guys he could beat at 205. Anderson Silva made him look very average, so it's easy to forget that Franklin is still a very dangerous fighter. He will never wear the LHW belt, but it might not be such a bad idea for him to move up just to get some hype going.
Give him some credit, he's a bit better than gatekeeper imo. He's at least the 3rd best MW in the UFC definately (possibly 2nd as he hasn't fought Hendo yet)
I concur. IMO Gatekeepers are more along the lines of Leben or Lytle. Guys who are tough, and can make a fight difficult against most guys, but will generally lose to anyone top 15.
First of all I never called anyone a gate keeper. I thought I made it clear that I think Franklin is a very good fighter, just Anderson Silva proved he is on another level, and I think Hendo is too. I guess it may have been a bit harsh to say he will never wear the belt again, but I just don't see that happening as long as one of thoes two are around. I mean he can only have so many chances against Silva. If Hendo becomes the new champ, then he will get another chance, but if he loses that, and he would be the underdog, then he doesn't really have anywhere to go. I think Franklin is without question the 3rd best MW in the UFC by alot, but there is a good distance between him and 2nd as well, and I think a move to LHW could re-motivate him.
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Post #17 2/17/08 2:16:26PM
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MMAcca
Heavyweight Champ
Career record: 176-94
Season: 46-24 (#607)
Location: North East of England
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The gap between 2nd and 3rd is not as big as you may believe. Like somebody has already posted, Hendo is a much better match-up for Rich than Silva was imo.
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Post #18 2/17/08 3:38:19PM
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Pookie
Heavyweight Champ
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Career record: 203-92
Season: 52-18 (#56)
Location: 707
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Posted by MMAcca
The gap between 2nd and 3rd is not as big as you may believe. Like somebody has already posted, Hendo is a much better match-up for Rich than Silva was imo.
i honestly dont see how he could last 3 rounds against hendo. He was ko'd by a front kick of machida's. Hendo's punching power is on a different level.
But on a less subjective note, where could franklin keep the fight to have an advantage over dan. Hes a much less dangerous striker, with a much less durable chin. His wrestling doesnt quite hold water against dan's olympic greco. The clinch... we'll see how hendo neutralizes silva's. If he can then its not a big jump to say he's stronger in that area then franklin is as well. The main attribute i see franklin having over alot of opponents is strength, but even there he is out matched. Hendo out muscled rampage for a while in their fight. Rampage, who is phenomenally strong for LHW.
I don't see a single area where franklin isnt in danger, let alone capable of scoring points to grind out a decision.
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Post #19 2/17/08 3:54:24PM
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Have it!!!
Career record: 136-71
Season: 43-27 (#735)
Location: Newcastle, UK
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I dunno, dans obviously the more powerful striker but i think rich has better technique. Also, richs clinch game is alot better than people give him credit for, theres no shame in getting beat in the clinch by the guy who's possibly the best in mma in that position. Obviously, dans wrestling is on a whole other level, but i think rich will fair better clinching with him than he did Anderson. I think rich has got better jits as well, according to gurgel hes black belt level but refuses to move up. I dunno if thats just to confuse opponents or what not but thats what gorge says. As a rich fan, im obviously going to be bias towards him, but i think if they fought dan would control him on the ground and get a UD, but rich is so well rounded i think he might beable to pull it out. Id much rather see him stay at 185 and fight dan than move up at this point.
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Post #20 2/17/08 7:43:42PM
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loonytnt
MMA Sensei
Career record: 126-99
Season: 33-24 (#4027)
Location: idaho
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rich did fight ken at 205 so i dont think 205 would be a bad thing, but i dont think just because he cant beat 1 guy at 185 he would move up, i would not mind seein dan vs rich
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Post #21 2/17/08 11:51:33PM
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Mayhem13
MMA Sensei
Career record: 158-93
Season: 48-22 (#232)
Location: Ohio
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I dont know...but I think he should fight the winner of Leben vs Sakara at 185
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Post #22 2/17/08 11:51:38PM
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Graveyard Mod
Career record: 215-127
Season: 45-25 (#1157)
Location: Santa Fe, TX
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Posted by Mayhem13
I dont know...but I think he should fight the winner of Leben vs Sakara at 185
That would make for an interesting fight.
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Post #23 2/18/08 1:23:17AM
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NatedawgThaM
MMA Sensei
Career record: 150-91
Season: 44-24 (#1353)
Location: New Providence, Pa
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IMO he would get killed at 205. His biggest asset at 185 is his huge body that is ten times bigger then most MW's. He has a weak chin IMO not just because Anderson KO'd like 5 times in the 2nd fight but because even Tanner dropped him.
205 has much better strikers and he would be getting KTFO by people like Houston, Irvin, Cane, and shoot, even Soko would probably KO him. He was good at 185 because he overpowered people. He can't do that anymore at 205 so I don't think it's such a great move.
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Post #24 2/18/08 2:33:30AM
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cj_striker
MMA Regular
Career record: 91-62
Season: 33-24 (#3216)
Location: sebring, fl
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Franklin's best move is to stay at 185 IMO, Hendo would be a much better opponent for him. Even though Hendo wrestling is obviously much better and he may have a little more power in his hands, I completely agree with someone said earlier about his striking techinque (movement and angles are a lot more important than some people realize), clinch, and jiu-jitsu are better than Hendos. I love both these guys! I personally feel Hendo will beat Silva, Franklin will go on a rampage if he stays healthy and destroy his next two or three opponents if it takes that many to get a title shot. If he loses then to the champ or if he has to fight Silva to get a title shot and loses then I'd have to say he's pretty much done (at least with becoming champ again). Franklin is one of if not they most intelligent fighters in MMA and has massive heart and skill, he just ran into a bad style matchup with Silva, that's it. Mark my words Rich will get back to the title shot, but it's up to him to do something with it.
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Post #25 2/18/08 9:54:02AM
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SicJits
MMA Regular
Career record: 129-64
Season: 29-11 (#3659)
Location: Everywhere, but mostly at your mom's house
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Posted by NatedawgThaM
IMO he would get killed at 205. His biggest asset at 185 is his huge body that is ten times bigger then most MW's. He has a weak chin IMO not just because Anderson KO'd like 5 times in the 2nd fight but because even Tanner dropped him.
205 has much better strikers and he would be getting KTFO by people like Houston, Irvin, Cane, and shoot, even Soko would probably KO him. He was good at 185 because he overpowered people. He can't do that anymore at 205 so I don't think it's such a great move.
When I meet him he has got to be the biggest mw walking around. He had to be about 215-230 at the time, that's a huge cut to 85, but his strength at mw is one of his biggest advantages
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Post #26 2/18/08 9:59:52AM
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disturbed_fighter
MMA Regular
Career record: 147-95
Season: 38-32 (#3044)
Location: USA
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i think he would match up well against machida
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Post #27 2/18/08 10:19:23AM
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MMAcca
Heavyweight Champ
Career record: 176-94
Season: 46-24 (#607)
Location: North East of England
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Posted by Mayhem13
I dont know...but I think he should fight the winner of Leben vs Sakara at 185
Probably be a quick finish, ending in a submission for Ace.
Also, i think Franklin would defeat people like Alexander, Irvin at 205 (not saying he should move up though as he would have bother with the title contenders like Chuck, Wand, etc...)
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Post #28 2/19/08 1:49:33AM
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Pookie
Heavyweight Champ
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Career record: 203-92
Season: 52-18 (#56)
Location: 707
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Posted by MMAcca
Posted by Mayhem13
I dont know...but I think he should fight the winner of Leben vs Sakara at 185
Probably be a quick finish, ending in a submission for Ace.
Also, i think Franklin would defeat people like Alexander, Irvin at 205 (not saying he should move up though as he would have bother with the title contenders like Chuck, Wand, etc...)
Alexander and Irvin arent even top 20 though, of course he'd beat that calibre of fighter.
But what about the Wilson Gouveia's, The Babalu's, The Rashads, the Arona's, etc...
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Post #29 2/19/08 1:52:21AM
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tepid55
In Full Mount
Career record: 215-123
Season: 43-27 (#1095)
Location: Texas
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I would like to see him fight Lyoto Machida and try to avenge his only loss at 205.
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Post #30 2/19/08 11:58:59AM
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