Randy Couture-Rich Franklin Main Event Being Discussed for UFC 115 in Vancouver
by Scott Haber on Feb 11, 2010 10:40 PM EST
in MMA News
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Even at 46 years of age, UFC Hall-of-Famer Randy Couture is planning on fighting more often than nearly anyone else in the UFC. Fresh off his decimation of Mark Coleman at last weekend's UFC 109, Sherdog has word that "The Natural" is in discussions to take on fellow fan favorite Rich Franklin at UFC 115 in Vancouver on June 12th. The bout would serve as a co-main event alongside the third meeting of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz.
Randy Couture, fresh off his submission win over fellow hall of famer Mark Coleman may be heading back to the Octagon this June to take on former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin, according to a source with knowledge of the discussions. The fight is in the early planning stages and it is not clear whether either fighter has verbally committed to the bout.
Couture, Franklin, Liddell, and Ortiz all on the same card could bring in some impressive PPV numbers for the UFC. If this one pans out, the rumored UFC 115 card would now include:
- Randy Couture vs. Rich Franklin
- Chuck Liddell vs. Tito Ortiz
- Carlos Condit vs. Rory MacDonald
- Tyson Griffin vs. Evan Dunham
- Pat Barry vs. Gilbert Yvel
- James Wilks vs. Peter Sobotta
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assuming this isn’t effected by the vitor thing, this makes the most sense. legitimate name for randy to fight (for a potential title shot) that doesnt threaten his chin as much as the younger/faster guys at LHW would.
would be happy to see rich play spoiler and get outta weightclass limbo.
Rich Franklin has plenty of power to test Randy’s chin. If this stays standing Rich will pick him apart. My guess is Randy tries to Vera Rich. I’m still taking Ace though to outpoint him.
The man known simply as "Christmas Cheesesteak"
I hate it when two fighters I love might fight. I’m sure many others won’t like this fight. I mean, the fight is good from a neutral perspective, but I just hate seeing two fighters I love fight. I don’t know what to do during the fight.
You’re a Cubs fan! Surely you know how to deal with disappointment, a weird mixture of emotions, and a rollercoaster of depression and optimism.
by Kwisatz Haderach on Feb 11, 2010 7:20 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
It’s tragic really. I saw the Mars Volta play in Chicago on the night Steve Bartman caught the foul ball. I got off the train near Wrigley and watched 10,000 miserable, drunk Chicagoans all slumped and trudging down the street like someone had just killed their dog. One of the saddest sights I’ve ever witnessed.
by Kwisatz Haderach on Feb 11, 2010 10:01 PM EST up reply actions
I would have
snickered with joy, but I have alliances with a different Central team.
My team is
in a small market but we always seem to be near or at the top. The Cubs HATE us for it.
We might take Cecil back right now! Our genius first baseman drinks himself into a stupor with the opposing teams pitchers before big games. We’re going to start 2 or 3 rookies or near rookies this year. Our All-Star third baseman is a career .250 something hitter whose strikeout ratio is higher than his OBP. And we’re paying Magglio 18 million clams to play right field, and hit .300 with zero power. But hey! we have some of the best pitching in baseball:) And maybe Johnny Damon and his Sean Sherk-like throwing arm! It’s good to remember the glory days. Jack Morris anyone? Willie Hernandez! The lightning speed of Darrell Evans. Dave Rozema’s career ending excuse for a push kick during a brawl! Trammell/Whitaker. Ahhh, the old school Tiger butter. Lather in it!
by Kwisatz Haderach on Feb 12, 2010 12:51 AM EST up reply actions
Die hard Tigers fan here.
Grew up in Toledo, so the Mud Hens were really convenient and then I had great memories of the old Tiger Stadium. I personally would give up anyone for Prince Fielder just so I can relive my old memories of my favorite player (even though he and his dad had a falling out- I’m going to ignore the gambling problems for my own sake)
by MMAWrestling on Feb 12, 2010 2:14 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah I would love to have the Prince. We could definitely use him. I don’t mind getting Damon. I do mind paying 7 mil a year to a part-time DH who can’t really fill in for someone in the outfield anymore.
by Kwisatz Haderach on Feb 14, 2010 7:19 AM EST up reply actions
UFC 115: We can go older
The Seattle Times linked to my website in June 2009. I wasn't aware of this until January 2010.
by SSreporters on Feb 11, 2010 6:40 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
Can they?
The average age on the 109 poster was 37,5
Follow @MMARocks and @tjmarciniak
by greco-roman airlines on Feb 11, 2010 7:13 PM EST up reply actions
I’m definitely not attending the Vancouver card is headlined by this And Ortiz/Liddell 3.
http://www.twitter.com/TB_Money
No Interest in this card
"Frank Mir had a horseshoe up his ass. I told him a year ago. I pulled it out of him and I beat him over the head with it." Brock Lesnar
No interest in seeing Barry-Yvel? That fight will be a crazy slugfest.
How did I end up on this bandwagon and why does everything say property of Chael Sonnen?
That fight alone isn’t worth the price of admission. Vancouver is getting screwed IMO. The only guy that is relevant in the Main event and co main event is Randy. And with Vitor hurt who knows he could be off of this card as well.
"Frank Mir had a horseshoe up his ass. I told him a year ago. I pulled it out of him and I beat him over the head with it." Brock Lesnar
Maybe he will get replaced with Thiago Silva. I think that fight is a lot better than Randy-Franklin anyway. While I don’t have a lot of interest in seeing Chuck-Tito the fight does give the Vancouver fans a chance to say they saw two legends fight and who knows, maybe the TUF buildup will make the fight compelling by the time it comes around.
How did I end up on this bandwagon and why does everything say property of Chael Sonnen?
I think they know people in Vancouver will see any fights they put on the card so they are putting on big names rather than big fights.
It will be sold out as fast or faster than the Montreal card, regardless of who is on it.
Agreed
But being from Vancouver myself, this depressed me. I wanted relevant fights, despite the odds being stacked against my wishes. At least Carlos Condit’s on the card. Yay for tiny victories.
http://www.twitter.com/TB_Money
You’d be making a mistake.
I’ve been to a shit ton of UFC events. Randy Couture fights are routinely the best live experiences (with the exception of the Vera fight).
Going to UFC live is about the emotion and crowd reaction. These fights are going to have huge atmospheres, you should go and enjoy.
by Michael Rome on Feb 11, 2010 7:52 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I’ve been to events before in Vegas, I know all about that stuff. I agree with the atmosphere and all that. It’s not exactly old hat or anything, it’s just sort of “been there done that” in my case. That’s precisely why I want relevancy now. I’ve evolved into the hardcore fan that wants to see serious fights, not just go for the experience. Randy/Ace doesn’t do that for me. Neither does Liddell/Ortiz 3.
I hope that didn’t come off as douchey, it wasn’t my intention. I am happy the UFC is finally coming to my city. But I’d still rather fly to Vegas or wherever to see an awesome card. For instance, going to Sacramento for WEC 47 is on my agenda.
http://www.twitter.com/TB_Money
Yes they know that Dana has said himself some of the most insane hardcore crowds are from Canada. But he is somewhat exploiting that fan base by putting out a so/so card knowing they will gobble it up no questions asked. I think they could give one more solid fight to help boost this card.
"Frank Mir had a horseshoe up his ass. I told him a year ago. I pulled it out of him and I beat him over the head with it." Brock Lesnar
Way to steal my ideas again, Joe Silva.
I like this fight and will happily watch it as a co-main event.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
I'm sure a lot of the heads of UFC/WEC/Strikeforce read websites.
I know the WEC head reads and post on MMA Junkie.
by snakecharmer1340 on Feb 11, 2010 9:41 PM EST up reply actions
would have liked a title fight for Vancouver...
but I will gladly shell out money to see this. Heck, for the first Vancouver show, I would have paid to see monkeys fight.
You have to be the man... you have to be very, like, alpha male with her. You know? Decide what you do and everything. So, show her who's the boss, you know? - GSP
It will be another Rich three-rounder war
Close fight. If the Rich from the Wandy and Hamill fights shows up with sterling stand up and power, he really should eat Randy alive. Then again, Franklin struggles with opponents that close the gap on him – Silva ate him alive with the clinch, Hendo ground him down, and Vitor stormed him. If Franklin can strike with distance and get on top he will win, but Randy’s close in clinch game has proven to be a weakness of Franklin.
Couture will win
Franklin hasn’t looked great in a while, an Randy’s clinch will ruin his game. Couture’s striking is getting better still so an interesting match up.
I got Couture in this one. Franklin’s takedown defense has never been all that, and I think Couture’s got the boxing to get it to the cage where he will begin going to work en route to a decision victory.
Not that I condone facism or any ism for that matter. Isms are in my opinion, not good. A person shouldn't believe in an ism, he should believe in himself.
I quote John Lennon, "I don't believe in Beatles, I just believe in me". Good point there, after all he was the walrus. I could be the walrus. Wouldn't change the fact I have to bum rides off of people.
Liddell vs. Ortiz is not interesting NOW.
After a whole season of Chuck and Tito talking shit, you’ll be ready for Chuck to blast Tito.
by snakecharmer1340 on Feb 11, 2010 9:56 PM EST reply actions
There's no way Franklin takes this
He couldn’t handle Hendo pressing him against the cage, how does he expect dealing with the KING of greco?
Couture via UD.
"couldn't handle"?
You act like that was a dominant win by Hendo. It was a very close decision.
by Scott Haber on Feb 11, 2010 11:51 PM EST up reply actions
I was pulling for Hendo..
Because in mma land, Hendo was supposed to be on the show, beat Bisping, and rematch Silva. Most of that happened..
Even with all that mind, I still thought Rich could have stolen that decision. Especially the third round, even more so if it wasn’t plagued with illegal blows.
I see this as being a tough fight. Rich bulks up real well at 205, I could see him dealing with Randy’s wrestling alright. I think Rich will pick him apart.
by Miketsi on Feb 12, 2010 12:06 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I don’t see Rich being able to handle the best clinch fighter in the game. Randy Is going to walk into the cage 15 pounds heavier then Rich.
Randy says he’s been walking around at 217…so Rich is gonna come in at 202? I think not. They’re actually about the same size.
http://www.twitter.com/TB_Money
I think thats two great fights. I don’t get it
by KING FEDOR on Feb 12, 2010 12:05 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Here we go again everyone is already questioning Randys age again
He ’s on a 2 fight win streak. Sure coleman didnt look great but come on he was fighting Randy. I think he lost to Vera but it was damm close. It was a good fight, and Vera is no sloucht.
Well I like this card. All five fights are very fun, especially seeing how I want Ortiz to get knocked out pretty bad. I could handle his bullshit once, but no longer.
Not that I condone facism or any ism for that matter. Isms are in my opinion, not good. A person shouldn't believe in an ism, he should believe in himself.
I quote John Lennon, "I don't believe in Beatles, I just believe in me". Good point there, after all he was the walrus. I could be the walrus. Wouldn't change the fact I have to bum rides off of people.
A smorgasboard of has beens...
I dunno, how good could the PPV numbers be?
Bob Arum thinks I'm a white Nazi skinhead even though I'm a brown grad student (with hair)
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