"He had invited me to train at his gym in Las Vegas before this fight had been scheduled. I have...

"He had invited me to train at his gym in Las Vegas before this fight had been scheduled. I have enormous respect for Wanderlei Silva... I’m always in Vegas and intend to train at his academy after this fight. We’re great fighters but UFC wanted to make this fight."

Rich Franklin suggests to Graciemag that he plans to train with Wanderlei after their UFC 99 headlining bout.

almost 3 years ago Blackout612 8 comments 0 recs |

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Franklin has a long history of remaining friendly with his opponents. It will be interesting to see how Wanderlei, who is rarely as kind, behaves leading up to the June 13th headlining bout.

I poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on Apr 15, 2009 12:38 PM EDT reply actions

That was a cool writeup.

I think Wand has moved past some of that hardass stuff it seems, other than against Rampage I suppose.

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

by dnevil001 on Apr 15, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions

i doubt there's gonna be any bad blood though..

i think if ever wandy does that, it’d be just for show..

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by Anton Tabuena on Apr 15, 2009 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm not mad at him for being such a nice guy....

but damn does anyone else feel this takes away from the feeling of fights? I wish Rich didn’t say this before the fight, because now I see it as two guys who really don’t want to hurt each other. I hope we don’t wee that thing where they touch gloves after a nice exchange on the feet and crack smiles. Bugs the hell out of me.

by I Can't Feel My Face on Apr 15, 2009 2:29 PM EDT reply actions

He’s a spirited competitor, but a total nice-guy outside of the octagon. He doesn’t do the smiling at a nice strike, or between round locker room ass slapping. I’m no fan of that either. Shit usually goes too far and suddenly they’re behaving like “Hey, I know we’re punching each other, but I’m glad we’re friends!”. That’s NBA All-Star game behavior, not Game Five of the Western Finals.

I poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on Apr 15, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions

haha nice NBA analogy

so true.

by I Can't Feel My Face on Apr 15, 2009 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Personally, I love the way Franklin behaves.

He has total respect for his opponents, but has no problem trying to hurt them either. He was/is friends or training partners with Hamill & definitely did not hold back on him so I doubt he is going to hold back on a guy he had planned to train with.

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

by dnevil001 on Apr 15, 2009 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions