Franklin vs. Hamill at UFC 88

by Mike Fagan on Jul 2, 2008 9:08 AM EDT

MMARated.com has learned that Rich Franklin will face Matt Hamill at UFC 88 at the Phillips Arena in Atlanta, GA on September 6, 2008. This fight will mark Franklin's return to the 205 lbs division.

MMAJunkie.com first reported that Franklin was considering moving up to the light heavyweight division yesterday. Today, MMARated.com was able to confirm the switch as well as his opponent.

Seems like a fairly easy showcase fight for Rich. Hamill is a fairly one-dimensional fighter who has cardio issues. He might be able to take the first round with his wrestling, but as the fight goes on, I expect Rich to be able to keep it standing and dominating with strikes.

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Comments

Right, this is a pretty easy win for Rich. After this they can put him in against a big name like Wanderlei Silva, Shogun, or Forrest in early 09.

by Michael Rome on Jul 2, 2008 3:09 AM EDT reply actions

I called this

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2008/7/1/562701/matt-hamill-vs-rich-frankl

Kelvin Hunt

I'm like those boyz on the sidelines...cause I ain't playing...

by Tha Realness on Jul 2, 2008 6:47 AM EDT reply actions

Didn’t wanna make a whole new post for this, but it’s Franklin related. Check it:

* June 29 *
Rich Franklin showed up in a house we are staying. I heard he is [J]orge’s pupil. As soon as he arrived, he was glued to Playboy. In this house, there are nothing but playboy magazines. I asked him, “Do you like Playboy?” He said, “I love it”.

I have heard someone say, “There are no playboys who love Playboy.”
- Mach Sakurai

by Chris Nelson on Jul 2, 2008 9:12 AM EDT reply actions

I disagree. Hammill is a tough matchup for Rich. Hammill is an animal with excellent takedowns. He beat the piss out of Boetsch, who is an animal himself. Hammill can take a shot and keep coming as well.

Tough fight for Rich

by Hardcharger on Jul 2, 2008 9:53 AM EDT reply actions

Is there a commission in GA? This seems absurdly lopsided to me, in terms of experience if nothing else. And really, there’s plenty else.

by FRANKIE on Jul 2, 2008 10:19 AM EDT reply actions

I don’t think there are even phones yet in Georgia!

Sorry, I joke I joke!

by mythbuster on Jul 2, 2008 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions

This seems absurdly lopsided to me, in terms of experience if nothing else

???

I think this should be a pretty competitive fight, actually. Hamill is not some guy with no abilities or experience getting in the cage with Franklin, and it marks a move up in weight for Franklin. Franlin should definitely win this fight, but it doesn’t look like the kind of matchup that should have people calling for commission-intervention or anything.

by Kierkegaard on Jul 2, 2008 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions

This fight calls for Vince McMahon to step in! It’s too “good guys” going against each other. Makes no sense. Although I don’t believe that MMA needs to have a protagonist in every bout, it seems strange to pit these two against each other. Hamill is on his way up the 205 ladder and they give him someone who still has loads of competitive fights at 185 (Hendo, Leben, Bisping).

Actually, I think the UFC misconstrues Hamill. He’s got a hero’s story and more heart than most of their fighters. They’re putting him against Franklin to expose him when they should be building him up. Just because he has a beef with their UK poster boy doesn’t mean he’s got to be taken out.

That said, I’ll be rooting for Hamill and I think he’s got a chance in the fight via GNP.

by Jaydoggydog on Jul 2, 2008 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Is Hamill a babyface?

From what I remember, they portrayed him on the TUF show as being very egotistical. Didn’t he refer to himself as the king and what-not? I seem to recall that. They could easily sell this as Franklin (good guy, former teacher, etc) teaching a lesson to the new-comer about respect and humility.

by mythbuster on Jul 2, 2008 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Hamill > Bisping

They wouldn’t have given Bisping a fight with Franklin at Middle weight and he won TUF. But Hamill is somehow ready to fight champions? They should be grooming Hamill for a climb to contender status. He’s a feel good story that would make a big splash if the UFC got wider exposure (a la a network deal). Instead, they’re setting him up to play the villain. I’d argue it’s because he’s “different,” but I can’t really back that up. Maybe some of you out there are feelin me on that. Anyhow, this matchmaking sucks. Franklin should fight Bonnar or Gouveia and Hamill should be going up against Reljic or Houston Alexander. My two cents.

by Jaydoggydog on Jul 2, 2008 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions

“The State boxing Commission of Georgia took over regulation of all MMA in May of 2007”

by Chris Nelson on Jul 2, 2008 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Franklin will have his work cut out for him…Hamill has retard strength and granite chin…his only downfall maybe his cardio in this fight.

Kelvin Hunt

I'm like those boyz on the sidelines...cause I ain't playing...

by Tha Realness on Jul 2, 2008 10:44 AM EDT reply actions

It’s an interesting match, I wonder if fighting people who are the same size/weight as Franklin is going to affect him after being away for so long.

by pr0cs on Jul 2, 2008 10:51 AM EDT reply actions

I like this matchup. I’m curious to see what Hamill will do against Franklin.

by monkeyfightclub! on Jul 2, 2008 11:07 AM EDT reply actions

Yea this should be a good match. Hamill is bigger and stronger and could be quite a challenge for Franklin at 205. Honestly the 205 division today is much different then when Franklin was in it.

by Yasnian on Jul 2, 2008 11:14 AM EDT reply actions

I think this will be an interestiing fight…Franklin has the opportunity to score an exciting victory here…If Franklin wins, i would rather see him drop back down to 185 and smack around Bisping, that is if Bisping gets past Leben…

by Kel on Jul 2, 2008 11:19 AM EDT reply actions

My money is on Hamill.

by IHateMMA on Jul 2, 2008 11:20 AM EDT reply actions

As soon as Anderson Silva moves to LHW so does Rich…

by goo on Jul 2, 2008 5:20 PM EDT reply actions

Anderson isn't...

...moving there for good. He is still going to be fighting at MW. This is a “for good” move for Rich.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

"The reason a lot of people do not recognize opportunity is because it usually goes around wearing overalls and looking like hard work." -- Thomas Edison

by Brent Brookhouse on Jul 2, 2008 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions