Rich Franklin Will Make Run at UFC Light Heavyweight Title

by Leland Roling on Jun 16, 2009 11:48 AM EDT Comment 39 comments

Rich Franklin isn't done in the UFC's light heavyweight division. Dana White stated at the UFC 99 post-fight press conference that the UFC wants to see the former UFC middleweight champion make a run for the title after successfully defeating PRIDE veteran Wanderlei Silva in a catchweight matchup via decision:

In all seriousness, the UFC president intends for Franklin to move right back up from the 195-pound catchweight fight with Silva and remain in the light heavyweight division.

"We want Rich to stay at 205 pounds. He's gonna stay in the 205-pound division and take a run at the title," said White, addressing a class that has seen its title change hands four times in the past two years.

Franklin's history with the company is surely a huge issue when we think about where he currently stands in the light heavyweight division. Fifteen of his career 29 fights have taken place within the Octagon, and it's a well-known fact that Franklin has always been in the good graces with the UFC brass as he's been a fighter who has rarely, if ever, complained about compensation, the way he's been treated, or how he's been marketed.

Franklin has only faced two opponents at light heavyweight recently with a successful return to the division against Matt Hammil and a loss against former PRIDE fighter Dan Henderson. Depending on who Franklin draws in his next matchup, it isn't inconceivable that the UFC immediately puts him in line for title contention following a win. After all, Franklin has been one of the most well-recognized fighters within the promotion.

Who will be his next opponent? It's tough to say. Wanderlei Silva is currently ranked #7 on our USA Today / SB Nation Consensus Rankings. If Dana White truly sees Franklin at that level of competition, my thoughts are that Forrest Griffin, Keith Jardine or Thiago Silva, Brandon Vera, or Luis Cane are all going to be waiting for a matchup. Griffin fights at UFC 101 while Jardine, Silva, and Vera are at UFC 102. Cane is the x-factor as he has the skill to thwart Franklin's chances at a run, so I'm a bit hesitant to believe the UFC will make that matchup. Fortunately for the fans, Cane is a solid up-and-comer, and the UFC really has no choice but to push his stock into better fights. That could be a solid matchup down the road.

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I personally just want to see him in big fights

While I like Franklin and think that he is a great fighter, I just cannot see him beating many of the light heavyweights. If he makes a run fot the title then great because he will be in big fights regardless, but I am honestly doubtful that he’ll get it (especially against Machida).

by chrisbboy82 on Jun 16, 2009 10:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think he has a prayer against Machida, but some bigger fights are warranted. I don’t think he’s going to be a world beater by any means at LHW though.

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by Leland Roling on Jun 16, 2009 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

lets not short sell Franklin

I’d give him an excellent chance against Forrest, Cane, Rashad, Jardine, Thiago Silva — basically everyone but Machida and Rampage.

"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"

by Kid Nate on Jun 16, 2009 10:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Why not rampage?

by spectaa on Jun 16, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

combination of power and technique

that will eat Franklin alive.

"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"

by Kid Nate on Jun 16, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Honestly, usually with Rampage this is more theory than reality. I’m a big fan, but if the Rampage in March shows up Franklin can win that fight. Same with the Rampage who fought Forrest. The thing about Quinton is if he doesn’t land that KO blow, he tends to have very close fights.

by Michael Rome on Jun 16, 2009 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

And if Rich isn’t fighting someone with a glaring weakness, he tends to have very close fights. Rampage isn’t a good matchup for Franklin.

by Hardcharger on Jun 16, 2009 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m not short selling, Franklin. I think he can beat Forrest, Jardine, Silva, and potentially be a problem for Rashad. I think Cane stands a good shot at him though because Cane is a stalking fighter who has some pinpoint striking. I’d actually like to see that matchup as a test for Cane, but the UFC probably has other ideas.

Machida and Rampage, I could see beating Franklin convincingly.

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by Leland Roling on Jun 16, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wasn't talking about you

"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"

by Kid Nate on Jun 16, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

snip snap

by subo on Jun 16, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really doubt he would beat Forrest, and I don’t think he could beat Rashad if he doesn’t finish him.

I think he’s pretty even with Jardine, but Thiago would probably find himself staring up at the ceiling despite Rich’s lack of power.

by bigweeze on Jun 16, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gimme

Ace vs Suga …………NOW!

by Riney on Jun 16, 2009 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

it’s too bad they’re rushing machida’s first defense, cus i’d love to see him fight shogun.

and as far as “big fights” go… matching him up with bisping and couture could be fun.. weight class differences not withstanding.

by woooburn on Jun 16, 2009 10:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don’t see him beating Machida, Shogun, Rashad or Rampage. I like Franklin but he is never getting that LHW belt around his waist. IMO He didn’t even beat Wandy. He only won the 1st round with Wandy taking 2 and 3.

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, growing up as a child Kimbo Slice was never given any bread with his meals. This is why he insists people... give him his bread."

by xFenixKnightx on Jun 16, 2009 11:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Took the words out of my mouth.

And another thing – Franklin = clock watcher.

Worked for him against Wanderlei (though I would have given Wandy the fight), didn’t work for him against Stephenson, and doesn’t exactly force you into a title shot when you win one round, come close on the other and lay’n’pray for the last.

I preferred him when he actually looked to finish guys. He’s no more than a gatekeeper right now.

If you see Mark Coleman in person, drop $5 on the floor and watch the fun as he tries in vain to bend down and pick it up.

by Ozzz on Jun 17, 2009 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

100% Agreed

Mike Goldberg: "You know Joe, growing up as a child Kimbo Slice was never given any bread with his meals. This is why he insists people... give him his bread."

by xFenixKnightx on Jun 17, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He can definitely make a run. And his standing game is significantly better than Cane’s, whose head movement problems have been exposed over and over. He’s outgunned guys but Franklin is a huge brick wall for Cane.

I think Franklin/Cane in Dallas in September would be a nice fight, though I could also see them giving him the Jardine/Silva winner. That’s a long wait though.

by Michael Rome on Jun 16, 2009 11:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Should mention I see him beating Shogun too, though Rashad is close.

by Michael Rome on Jun 16, 2009 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think he can beat Cane, but it’s a fight that could push Cane as well. I think Jardine/Silva winner or Cane is the best option right now.

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by Leland Roling on Jun 16, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What about Jon Jones? He’d be ready sooner than the Jardine/Silva winner, and my guess is his fight against O’Brien is going to be the first thing they show in extra time after the Mir/Lesner fight ends in 2 minutes again. That’d be a lot of eyes still on him at the biggest event in UFC history. The Bonnar fight was really entertaining and got a lot of attention.

by Stanlee on Jun 16, 2009 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn’t think about the prospect of Jones, but my thoughts would be that Franklin would get bumped ahead of the middle of the heap because of his exposure and recognizable name. Jones vs. Franklin would be a very tough test for Franklin, but Jones has still had problems with his gas tank by the third round. Franklin could beat him. That’s definitely an interesting idea though.

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by Leland Roling on Jun 16, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd kill to see this.

Jow Pwnz is one of my favorite fighters.

by inadvertentgroinstrike on Jun 17, 2009 8:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wanna see Cain/Franklin.

http://www.mmaforreal.com

by Kelvin Hunt on Jun 16, 2009 11:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Cane sure..

But Cain, mr.brown pride would be too big for him. :P

Okay, I’ll stop being an ass now. Haha. I hope he fights jardine. I think that would be a good matchup for both guys..

That’s if jardine, beats thiago silva.. If thiago wins, I want cane vs franklin, vera vs thiago, and jardine vs Forrest 2.

weoweoweo .deviantart .com

by Anton Tabuena on Jun 16, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You will never stop being an ass :-D

by subo on Jun 16, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree Leland- to me, Jardine/Silva winner is ideal for Franklin, and I think both guys present Franklin with a pretty good matchup. If not either of them, Cane.

by SMC on Jun 16, 2009 11:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think Franklin beats Silva pretty easily, but Jardine is a solid matchup. Silva’s just a bit too wild, and Franklin could capitalize off that. After all, Silva isn’t exactly a world beater. He’s been pretty lucky in his ability to recover from huge shots, and then luckily land a huge blow to win. Drwal and Mendes had some success against him.

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by Leland Roling on Jun 16, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why can't he beat Shogun?

Anyone is beatable. If he has a good game plan he can beat anyone in the LHW division. I think he makes a better Middleweight, though.

by mightyhokie on Jun 16, 2009 12:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Was watching UFC unleashed last night when he fought Tanner. Franklin is in decent shape now, but is nowhere near what he was during his reign. For some reason Rogan likes to talk about his top notch cardio often, even though it isn’t really.

by bigweeze on Jun 16, 2009 12:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What?? Rich has incredible cardio. Stick to watching TUF. Rich is well known for his training regime and how intense it is. He always looks like the fresher fighter in the Octagon.

by Stay Down on Jun 16, 2009 2:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Not always.

That being said, this is the fucking mutant shark tank of MMA – the UFC 205 division. One through six (arguably two through seven if you love Machida or three through eight if you heart Rampage) is a giant goatfuck – everyone can beat everyone. Shogun can beat Cane can beat Evans can beat Forrest can beat Jardine can beat all of the above. Rich was a great champion – I put nothing past him. This, however, is a tall, tall order.

by subo on Jun 16, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs

I read this whole thing nodding, then suddenly was compelled to read it again and ponder the significance of the term “giant goatfuck”. Compelling writing, my man.

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

by AJB on Jun 16, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks!

I have my moments.

by subo on Jun 16, 2009 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Use reply… I thought I said he had insane cardio for a second. I know I wouldn’t throw that in there.

Follow my analysis of all things MMA on BloodyElbow.com

by Leland Roling on Jun 16, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Franklin vs Liddell

It’s an epic match-up. It doesn’t really expose Liddell to a high likelihood of a devastating knockout. And it’s a good next step for Franklin as he moves up the LHW ranks. With wins over Liddell, Wanderlei and Hammill, and a razor-thin decision loss to Henderson, I’d give Franklin a title shot.

by klown on Jun 16, 2009 3:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs