Outcomes of Franklin vs W.Silva

by klown on Feb 25, 2009 1:12 AM EST Comment 15 comments

This was an unexpected match-up, and it's refreshing to be surprised like that. At first I felt uneasy about it but it's grown on me. The catch weight wasn't the issue; Franklin seems to have not much problem oscillating within that range, and it's a graduated weight loss for Silva. The point is these are two excellent, highly-ranked strikers with the potential to contend in both the LHW and MW divisions. However both fighters are considered to be in decline and feel pressure to assert their relevance. A victory by each fighter would be significant in its own way. A loss would be devastating.

Scenario 1: Franklin wins

via img.thesun.co.uk

Significance

For Franklin: Catapults him to the top 5 of the LHW division. If Rampage and Machida get the next 2 title shots, the 3rd could be determined by having Franklin face the winner of Liddell-Rua

For Silva: If he decides to continue his career, and continue the weight drop to 185, Silva must realize he begins at the bottom of the heap. Silva can be pit against gatekeepers like Leben for some fireworks. But a loss there would mean the end for Wanderlei

Scenario 2: Silva wins

via www.mmaweekly.com

Significance

For Silva: He is immediately at Top 3 MW, behind A.Silva and Henderson. If the next title shots go to Leites, Bisping, and Okami or Maia, there is plenty of time for W.Silva vs Marquardt for #1 contender. And if W.Silva strings together knockouts or decisions against Jardine, Franklin and Marquardt, there is no denying him a shot at Anderson

For Franklin: His biggest win at 205 is against the barely-ranked Hamill, with 2 losses against Top 10 LHWs. Franklin would have to test himself against up-and-comers like Cane to prove his continued relevance

The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Bloody Elbow readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bloody Elbow editors or staff.

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Read More: wanderlei silva, rich franklin

Comments

I don’t agree with either victor’s circumstances in your description. Wanderlei wouldn’t be a top 3 185er before even entering the division (this is a catch weight bout, remember) and the same applies to Franklin. Both individuals, in losing, would be effected by perception, in that they’ll incur consecutive losses; Franklin would lose back-to-back for the first time ever and three losses in five fights, whereas Wanderlei would lose back-to-back and five of six. Rich has been in 185-205 limbo for awhile, so his loss would be more forgiveable. Viewers are likely to provide him with more slack in that he’s yet to settle in at 205, redevelop his natural light heavyweight build and find his comfortable day-to-day weight. Wanderlei, on the other hand, is precariously close to losing relevance. Many (most) UFC fans are largely uneducated about his legacy and just what it is that makes him so highly regarded. Losing five of six overall and three of four within the confines of the octagon could be a major blow to his credibility at 185 (and overall), and I really don’t believe a win does that much for him in a title picture that is suddenly as crowded as the division he’s exiting (if not more so, truth be told). Personally, I’m rooting for Wanderlei because I think Franklin can overcome the loss. But the best case would be that they have an absolute war, with as many eyes on them as possible, so that they come out looking like there was no loser. Of course, those outcomes are few and far between.

"I hit [Evensen], and you could just see it in his head. He went, 'Oh, man. We don't have to do this anymore. I'm good. Thanks for having me. I'm going to go home now." -Pat "The Real Techno Viking" Berry

by Blackout612 on Feb 25, 2009 2:21 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

If W.Silva enters MW with a win over Franklin and a loss to Henderson, that means he deserves a spot among the MW elite. What do you think of matching him against Marquardt? I think it would be a great fight, and the winner would have a serious case for a title shot. Wins over Jardine, Franklin and Marquardt would be pretty damn impressive…

I’m rooting for Silva for the same reason – I don’t know if his career can survive another loss, especially a knockout or TKO.

by klown on Feb 25, 2009 10:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

How does a loss to Henderson, at Light Heavyweight no less, lead you to conclude that Silva should be ranked amongst the Middleweight elite?

Additionally, I think it’s difficult to say a fighter should be ranked a certain way at Middleweight if he’s competing in a catchweight bout. It’s one thing if a fighter misses the weight classes’ limit by a couple two or three pounds. But when two fighters are competing at a weight that is 10lbs. between the next lowest and highest weight class, I’m not sure you can say with any certainty how the fighters’ performance would have been similar or different at another weight class.

In the eyes of the fans, though, I think it’s true that the winner of the fight will be seen as having improved his stock, while the loser will move in the other direction. Still, in terms of objectively ranking each fighter, I wouldn’t be comfortable doing so with any certainty, particularly in Silva’s case, as he’s yet to so much as weigh in at 185lbs. for an MMA fight, let alone compete in the division. At least Franklin has fought at 205lbs. of late.

"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard

by Brett Jones on Feb 25, 2009 10:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Franklin will use his superior striking to put Wand away.

aw yeah

by mmafiend on Feb 25, 2009 2:27 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I’m not sure if losing to Rich – a former champion and someone who has only lost to three people ever – puts anyone “at the bottom of the heap.”

by Simco on Feb 25, 2009 3:46 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

If W.Silva enters MW with losses to Henderson and Franklin, it means he’s not an elite MW. It doesn’t mean he sucks, it just means he doesn’t get to leapfrog other contenders. He must begin the climb at the bottom of the mountain, and start against one of the gatekeepers, like Leben.

Who would you match W.Silva against at MW after a loss to Franklin?

by klown on Feb 25, 2009 10:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You seem to forget there’s a rather large area between a contender and the bottom of the division.

by Simco on Feb 25, 2009 12:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wandy vs Marquardt would be awesome

by brad23 on Feb 25, 2009 4:22 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

sorry but no..

http://weoweoweo.deviantart.com/

by Anton Tabuena on Feb 25, 2009 7:42 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Franklin has lost twice to Silva & once to Hendo by a razor close decision,

so how exactly is that considered him declining? lol
Neither one of these guys is going anywhere even with a loss.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Feb 25, 2009 8:49 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

No one is questioning Franklin’s current rank as the #3 MW after A.Silva and Henderson. But some people believe Franklin has peaked and it’s all downhill from here. I’m not sure that’s true, but I do know Franklin has never beaten anyone stellar. His greatest career victories are a boring decision against Okami at MW, and a TKO of Hammill at LHW.

If he gets past W.Silva, Franklin certainly deserves a shot at Liddell, which would be a marketing “superfight” and a great set-up for a title shot for one of these guys. If Rua beats Liddell, Franklin vs Rua would also be an intriguing #1 contender match-up. I’d say victories against Hammill, W.Silva and Liddell/Rua certainly would qualify Franklin for a title shot at 205.

by klown on Feb 25, 2009 10:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I understand, but I just disagree

with the statement a loss would be devastating. Sure Franklin is probably not on the upside of his career, but his only recent losses are to Silva (no one beats him in the UFC) & a close decision to Hendo. His wins in the UFC are not his fault as he can only face who is in the division at that time. If Wand comes out & absolutely beats the shit out of him, that would be devastating, barring that he will be around as long as he wants to.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Feb 25, 2009 10:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Tired argument

Franklin TKO’d Evan Tanner for the UFC middleweight title when Tanner was 25-3 and a top 3 185er in the world. Why do people constantly overlook that fight?

by Blackout612 on Feb 25, 2009 1:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs