Rich Franklin Does Not Sound Happy About Coaching TUF

by Michael Rome on Jan 6, 2009 5:16 PM EST in News Comment 33 comments

Rich_franklin_mug_lrg_medium

There's been a lot of confusion about who will coach The Ultimate Fighter opposite Michael Bisping if Rich Franklin defeats Dan Henderson. Rich Franklin only adds to the confusion at MMA Fanhouse:

I have not personally spoken to Dana, the UFC or any production people about the show. Six weeks in Vegas, I've gotten to the point where I could care less for staying in Vegas for that period of time. It's time away from my family and time away from doing the things I can do to make money. The show doesn't pay very well...But anything the UFC asks me to do, I'm always on board for.

I think this roughly translates to: I really don't want to do the show, so I want to show Dana that I'm on board for anything he wants so he'll be more willing to listen to my objections.

As I've said before, if Rich wins a coaching slot opposite Bisping at 185 pounds makes no sense at all for his career. If he beats Dan Henderson, he becomes a legitimate contender at 205 and really should only be a fight or two away from a title shot. Instead he will have to wait upwards of a year just to compete at 205 again. All of this goes away if Henderson wins, and Henderson is the favorite, but it strikes me that Henderson should really coach opposite Bisping either way. It's not like it's any less of an achievement for Bisping to beat Henderson if Franklin finds a way to do it at 205, it is still a huge challenge for Bisping.

0 recs | Comment 33 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

I could understand the UFC bullying him into it if it made sense for the UFC. But it doesn’t make any sense at all.

This is starting to scream out to me that the UFC hopes Henderson will win so they can make him a coach, because they don’t have any other decent options.

by Michaelthebox on Jan 6, 2009 5:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Franklin will KO Henderson in the 2nd.

by lbk on Jan 6, 2009 5:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

This is one of those incidences where I REALLY REALLY WISH the UFC would listen to bloggers and fans. The only idea that works at all for me is the Wand-at-185 option. Damnit, make it happen!

"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."

by AJB on Jan 6, 2009 5:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Rich Franklin

should be more than a little upset. He moves to 205 because the future champ at 185 abused him twice so if he has title hopes again then the move to 205 makes sense.
In Henderson’s case he’s asked to move to 185 because there is no real challenger to Silva. He does even though he didn’t want to. Then he’s asked to fight at 205 again.
Now they’re both at 205 with the winner getting on TUF to fight Bisping at 185. Makes little sense to me. Also Franklin is not cut out to be a coach he seemed disinterested on TUF 2 and looked uncomfortable trying to motivate guys. Not to mention his incredibly stupid advice to Matt Serra on TUF season 4.

by tylerdurden1 on Jan 6, 2009 5:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think the way he came across on TUF last time has soured him to the idea as much as anything else. No way I’d put myself in a position to be burned like that a second time.

by Benicio on Jan 6, 2009 10:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think he came off bad at all ...

I think Franklin has a great performance during his run on TUF and was a pretty good coach (disregarding that whole “take a knee because then they can’t kick you” spiel, which was obviously misguided). I take him at his word that he wants to stay close to his family. Putting yourself out there for a grueling reality TV show schedule is not something that someone of Rich Franklin’s stature needs to do (not to mention he’s probably already rich enough to call his own shots).

"It's like a flying knuckle sandwich." --Rogan
"And many men have eaten it." -- Goldy

by thetakeover on Jan 6, 2009 11:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

To be fair, I think his “advice” to Serra was meant to confuse the opponent…which it definitely would right before Serra would get stomped for following it. Amazingly bad advice. Wandy would be awesome and I think he needs to get out of light heavy anyway. Awesome fight potentials if he drops…

by NextAndersonSilva on Jan 6, 2009 5:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

meh

As a Rich Franklin fan and a Cincinnati boy, I dont want to see Rich coach TUF.. again. But who is there in 185 that can coach against Michael Bisping that is a big draw to the fans? This I don’t know. Too bad Nate Marquardt is fighting Wilson Gouevia, because Marquardt vs. Bisping USA vs. UK would be an awesome show.

by "Mr. NC-17" on Jan 6, 2009 5:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Rome as usual your assessment is correct… If Franklin wins its not a lock that he will be the coach.

The winner being the coach is only extra pr for the main event.

If Henderson wins it;s a lock.

If Franklin wins its a “Whats plan B”.

You never know… Robbie Lawler may be free by then. Im just sayin :)

by mmalogic on Jan 6, 2009 6:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I hear someone had a really good idea for a plan b. Name rhymes with Panderlei Wilva.

by Michael Rome on Jan 6, 2009 6:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

lol

by mmalogic on Jan 6, 2009 7:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That sounds made up.

by Blackout612 on Jan 6, 2009 7:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Correction

I believe it was Sanderlei Wilva.

"It's like a flying knuckle sandwich." --Rogan
"And many men have eaten it." -- Goldy

by thetakeover on Jan 6, 2009 11:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Robbie Lawler

has already been on the shelf since July if his contract issues are resolved and he works out a deal I’d assume he’d want to get back fighting. Being a coach on TUF would put him out another six or seven months I don’t know if he’d want to do that. It would be like taking over a year off in the prime of his career.

by tylerdurden1 on Jan 6, 2009 6:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It would be smart for him to just do it. It would turn him into a big name with UFC fans, and it would be a very good career move. I just doubt these issues will be resolved soon.

by Michael Rome on Jan 6, 2009 6:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe it would a good career move as far as the exposure goes, but in the end there would be little drama in the outcome of a fight with Bisping. Not to mention Matt Hughes would probably be picked as an assistant coach and his ego would force him to try and takeover coaching the team.

by tylerdurden1 on Jan 6, 2009 6:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Please no Robbie Lawler...

Then he would bring in Matt Hughes as his wrestling coach and we would have to listen to Matt’s ass all season.

by steveoc24 on Jan 6, 2009 7:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The hell is he doing to make money in his free time?

Tutoring math students?

by Blackout612 on Jan 6, 2009 7:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Movies? Commercials? Sponsorships? Training seminars?

by Michael Rome on Jan 6, 2009 7:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

training to actually fight?

by Michael Rome on Jan 6, 2009 7:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I got jokes.

by Blackout612 on Jan 6, 2009 8:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

especially if there is a chance he might get another shot at Anderson.

by steveoc24 on Jan 6, 2009 8:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Bring In Cung Le!!!!!

by nitro on Jan 6, 2009 9:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

They should find the next Kimbo on the internet and bring him in.

by Dooda on Jan 6, 2009 9:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

It always kills me to see the UFC coercing and humiliating its loyal fighters, time and again.

by klown on Jan 6, 2009 9:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

LHW possibilities

The winner of Henderson-Franklin should fight the winner of Machida-Silva, for a shot at the winner of Evans-Jackson.

by klown on Jan 6, 2009 9:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

This does make the most sense if it’s Franklin. They want Hendo down at 185 to eventually fight Anderson.

by Michael Rome on Jan 6, 2009 9:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Meanwhile, Liddell can be matched up against the winner of Rua-Coleman. The winner of that fight would need to beat a Top 10er, followed by a Top 5er, in order to earn a title shot.

Say Liddell beats Rua, avenges Jardine and redefeats W.Silva – I’d say that gets you a title shot.
Alternatively, perhaps Rua kills Coleman, beats Liddell, and wins a rematch with Griffin – title shot.

by klown on Jan 6, 2009 10:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This standard doesn’t really apply in the real world. Chuck is two big wins away from a title shot really at any time. Especially if he beats two top 5 guys in a row, and Shogun will be around 5 or 6 if he smashes Coleman.

by Michael Rome on Jan 6, 2009 11:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Disagree

Nah, I think Shogun could get a shot if he avenges his loss to Forrest and beats another Top 5 opponent (the Coleman fight is a “freak fight” in my opinion and will have no affect on his standing, unless he loses, in which case he’s over).

"It's like a flying knuckle sandwich." --Rogan
"And many men have eaten it." -- Goldy

by thetakeover on Jan 6, 2009 11:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Upon further consideration

I may have misread your post. I thought you meant Shogun was 5 or 6 wins away from a title shot, though you might mean Shogun will be ranked 5 or 6 if he beats Coleman, in which case I agree (though I think he’s 5 or 6 now, and the Coleman fight won’t raise him and can only hurt him if he loses).

"It's like a flying knuckle sandwich." --Rogan
"And many men have eaten it." -- Goldy

by thetakeover on Jan 6, 2009 11:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What happens if Hendo wins?

If what you’re saying is true, then a Henderson win obliterates the significance of this match-up at 205. Hendo will drop to 180 to eventually face A. Silva, while Franklin will be derailed from his run at the title… it’s as if the match never happened – at least, not as far as the LHW division is concerned.

While I believe Henderson is the tougher fighter and will scrape through with a decision, I really hope Franklin wins. First, I dislike rematches, so I’m not excited about A.Silva vs Henderson II. Silva’s days are numbered and there are so many exciting prospects, especially at 205, that I’d hate to see one squandered on a rematch. And Silva won that fight decisively.

Second, while a Henderson win (especially a boring decision) knocks both Henderson and Franklin out of the LHW title picture, a Franklin win shakes up the LHW division and sets up a rematch with Machida, assuming he gets past T.Silva. The winner of Franklin-Machida would be the undisputed #1 contender.

Franklin, Machida, Jackson and Evans – a year or two ago I wouldn’t have dreamed this motley crew might soon sit on top of the most explosive division in MMA.

by klown on Jan 6, 2009 11:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

addendum

It goes without saying that a fight with Bisping (reality show or not), especially at the old weight class, is simply absurd, and possibly harmful to Franklin’s career.

by klown on Jan 6, 2009 11:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs