Rich Franklin Will Fight (Almost) Anybody, Wants That UFC Light Heavyweight Title
by Kid Nate on Jul 19, 2010 9:58 AM EDT
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Rich Franklin talks to MMA Torch and makes the usual "I'll fight anybody" remarks, but it's more interesting to note who he doesn't want to fight -- training partners:
"I've never gone to the UFC and asked for a specific fight. Never, in my career. They've offered me people and I just say yes," Franklin said. "As a matter of fact, I've only turned one person down in my entire fight career, and that's when I fought Matt Hamill. Before they offered me Matt Hamill, they offered me Reese Andy. I told them I didn't want to fight Reese because he had actually helped me get ready for my two fights prior to that when I was up training in Seattle, and he was basically one of my current training partners. So I said 'I'd really rather not fight him.'"
"Of course they came back with Matt Hamill. I knew Matt, and that wasn't the best [option] either, but I kind of painted myself in a corner with that so I told the UFC, 'take it to Matt's camp and if they want the fight then I'll take the fight, but it's definitely not my second choice.' And that's exactly what happened."
There's also this bit where he talks about who he'd like to fight next, note who he does NOT mention:
"I've heard the fans talk about Forrest [Griffin] and I, I've heard the fans talk about Tito [Ortiz] and I. I know there's some fan interest out there for some particular fights, and I know that Dana is particularly interested in building fights that fans want to see, so if those guys are healthy at the time that I'm ready to return and that's a fight he wants to put on then yeah, I'm not going to say no to something like that."
No, Rich isn't thinking Lyoto Machida. It would seem that beating the ex-champ and avenging his first loss in MMA would be on Franklin's mind, but apparently not.
It makes perfect sense, while a shot Tito and Forrest Griffin are both big-name, big-money, low-risk fights for Franklin, Machida remains an enigma that few fighters care to face.
I'll have more on the UFC's struggles to book fights for Machida later today.
And before you start howling, I'm not accusing Franklin of ducking anyone or trying to pick his opponents. Rather, I'm pointing out that even for a company man like Rich Franklin there are going to be fights that the UFC will offer that he'll turn down and other fights that are potentially on the horizon that he won't lobby for because there's very limited upside.
The fight game has a lot of moving parts. These are individual human beings trying to do what's best for their careers and what feels right to them. MMA promotion isn't a video game where you just call up the fights you want to see and get it on, not even for UFC matchmaker Joe Silva.
UPDATE: Jamie Penick of MMA Torch points out that Franklin DID mention Machida during the interview, and in fact would prefer to fight him over Forrest Griffin:
"I'd be interested in taking any fight that they offered to me. Forrest and I, we're somewhat of friends, and I like him, I like hanging out with him, so of him and Machida I'd particularly want to try to avoid that one, but this is business. I've done it before. Chuck was a friend of mine, Matt was a friend of mine, I have a good professional relationship with pretty much everyone I've everybody I've ever fought both before and after the fight, so it wouldn't stop me from taking a fight with Forrest."
When I first heard the interview, I misunderstood Franklin to mean Machida when he said, "so of him and Machida I'd particularly want to try to avoid that one" but apparently he meant Forrest.
That's exciting, I'd love to see a rematch of Machida and Franklin.
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Machida did come up, not part of this quote
Hey Nate,
In the full audio of the interview (which I’ll have up today) Rich actually said he’d prefer a fight with Machida over Forrest because he’s friends with Forrest. I had asked him if either of those fights interested him, but all he had said on the Machida front was that of the two he preferred that one. With Forrest and Tito he was commenting on fights he’s heard people talk about. Just to clear that up.
That's right
Griffin was an assistant coach for him on TUF 11
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
by donkeypunch on Jul 19, 2010 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions
ah thanks for clearing that up!
was just listening to the interview now.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
No problem
I put the actual quote below where he talks about Machida if you want to add that.
by Jamie Penick on Jul 19, 2010 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions
He had no problem beating up Matt Hamill
Cause there's only one, and that's me
You understand? for all that fighting, you understand
That sucka think he good, that sucka think he can whoop me
And i know he can't whoop me, Ay boy, the n**** whole style is chump
by S.C. Michaelson on Jul 19, 2010 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m a big Franklin fan but I don’t see him taking Machida. I love the Griffin fight but could give a shit about him fighting Tito or Tito fighting anyone for that matter.
A match that makes sense is Franklin vs. Bones. The timing would work nicely.
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
I think the risk reward of a fight with Bones doesn't look too favorable...
Neither match up is favorable, but a win over Machida could score him a title shot or at minimum put him one fight away. Plus he avenges a loss. Does a win over Bones do that for him?
I agree with you the risk is high to fight Bones. I’m looking at it more from a step up in competition for Bones after he beats Vlad.
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
by donkeypunch on Jul 19, 2010 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions
There will be a few names in play for title shots in the next little while.
The match making can largely decide who gets looks as well.
Griffin, Machida, Franklin and Rampage all need bookings
I still think Griffin vs Franklin and Rampage vs Machida make the most sense.
Both of the winners will be close to title shots.
Bones vs Vlad
Little Nog vs Bader
Brilz may sneak his way in there against Tito…
Then again the whole thing switches if the do an interim title.
There are lots of interesting fights on the horizon.
Good times
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
by donkeypunch on Jul 19, 2010 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Very nice
Nothing like a Schwetty Weiner
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
by donkeypunch on Jul 19, 2010 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Schwetty balls!
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Fightlinker.com
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 19, 2010 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Personally I would expect to see Jones fight Thiago next
He is in that next tier that could be considered a step up (at least on paper) that also includes Rampage, Franklin, Couture, Griffin, Bader (who it will not be), Little Nog and the like.
I put Rashad slightly above that group, but below the true elite of Rua, Anderson and Machida (none of whom I believe would be at risk against any other LHWs, aside from Jones).
I really don’t think the UFC would have Jones crush one of their top drawing “name” fighters who might take the fight (Franklin, Griffin, Couture) or who would likely decline it (Rampage, Rashad).
I see T. Silva as having the right mix of rank, name and UFC willingness to sacrafice to make him the ideal next opponent for Jones to ruin…
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." -Author Schopenhauer
"The fox devises many strategies, the hedgehog only one, but he uses is very effectively." -Archilochus
by BigDNotDallas on Jul 19, 2010 12:59 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Jones would absolutely ruin Franklin
I can’t see the UFC doing that to such a loyal soldier.
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." -Author Schopenhauer
"The fox devises many strategies, the hedgehog only one, but he uses is very effectively." -Archilochus
by BigDNotDallas on Jul 19, 2010 1:24 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The absence of a certain Anderson Silva also seems conspicuous
With Anderson’s move to LHW imminent, I don’t think Rich wants any part of him either. He would do well to steer clear of him.
Everyone would do well to steer clear of him
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
by donkeypunch on Jul 19, 2010 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't think that's a fight that interests anyone
The fans, the UFC, Anderson and of course Rich.
"I thought I was getting raped by Freddy Mercury."
- Tank Abbot
on his decision loss to Dan Severn in 1995
No mention of Machida
So not sure why it is relevant for this particular article.
I am looking forward to the Machida plague article, as I’m sure it will be interesting.
Personally think a Forrest/Franklin fight would be rather entertaining to see.
Franklin / Forrest would be an entertaining fight... A great three round striking battle.
One of the guys gets built up towards a title shot if that is how the UFC wants to play it.
The winner could face the Bader / Little Nog and be sitting right in the title picture.
That's what I was thinking
The Forrest-Franklin fight just makes sense at this point with both coming back from injury. It would also give Forrest an extra couple of months of recovery time if Rich is out until December or January, and you’re spot on about the Bader-Nog winner as the next fight as well.
by Jamie Penick on Jul 19, 2010 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Rich would pick Forrest apart. He’s faster and more technical, and Griffin doesn’t pose much of a KO threat. Forrest would need to turn that fight into a grappling match (either up against the cage or on the mat) if he wanted to walk away the victor.
Forrest has very good striking, just no power behind the punches.
He tends to do well in volume striking matches.
Forrest is a big boy
Absolutely gigantic at 205. That durability gives him a chance, in my mind. However, I should’ve picked Rich via technical striking over Chuck just like I did over Wandy, so I’ll make that pick here.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Fightlinker.com
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 19, 2010 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Forrest’s size is why I said he should turn it into a grappling match. Both guys are competent grapplers, but Forrest’s monstrous size advantage would certainly create problems for Rich on the mat or up against the cage.
This is an interesting point...
…coz I remember a lot of talk about the big size advantage Forrest was gonna have over Anderson Silva, but when I watched the fight I didn’t see it myself. Rich was a huge MW, as big as Silva I’d wager. Would Griffin really be that much bigger than him?
Travis Lutter is not the Michael Jordan of BJJ
Rich said that he doesn’t cut much weight at LHW. He’s probably around 215 in the cage. Forrest is probably 15-20 pounds heavier.
"...ride life straight to perfect laughter,
it's the only good fight there is."
by dancingChicken on Jul 19, 2010 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Rich is really a smaller better Griffin with KO power
Ride the Tiger!
by doonerthesooner on Jul 20, 2010 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Here's the Machida passage in question
I forgot to add this quote in the story, so this should clear that up a bit (and it’s been put in the main piece now as well:
“I’d be interested in taking any fight that they offered to me. Forrest and I, we’re somewhat of friends, and I like him, I like hanging out with him, so of him and Machida I’d particularly want to try to avoid that one, but this is business. I’ve done it before. Chuck was a friend of mine, Matt was a friend of mine, I have a good professional relationship with pretty much everyone I’ve everybody I’ve ever fought both before and after the fight, so it wouldn’t stop me from taking a fight with Forrest.”
It is actually Jamie, Nate! If you wouldn’t mind switching that on the main post it’d be greatly appreciated!
by Jamie Penick on Jul 19, 2010 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions
No worries
You’re not the first, won’t be the last! I just like to clear that up when I can.
by Jamie Penick on Jul 19, 2010 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions
He’s supposed to fight Machida
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
by donkeypunch on Jul 19, 2010 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Which kills me.
Are the inmates running the asylum? Who decides who fights who? Fighters have the ability to just say, “No, I don’t want to fight him, find me someone else”?
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
by Geno Mrosko on Jul 19, 2010 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Why wouldn't fighters have the ability to say no?
Especially against a guy like Machida who’s hard to beat, isn’t that much of a name, and who often makes his opponents look bad, boring, or amateurish? And he isn’t even champion anymore so you have much more to lose by fighting him. For top of the division guys with solid wrestling skills, Shogun has gotta be the far more preferrable matchup.
by Trust Doesn't Rust on Jul 19, 2010 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions
A healthy Shogun is preferrable to noone
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
by donkeypunch on Jul 19, 2010 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions
that’s a good question. it seems like the fighters have a great deal of say as to who they’re going to fight next, which doesn’t seem right.
Quinton has been quoted as saying that he doesn’t want to fight Machida “next.” that he prefers a more “exciting” matchup (ideally where he can stand and bang w/someone). Or, to read between the lines, “I want no part of Machida, he’d own my a**.”
"she told me she was on the pill." me
It doesn't seem right that a fighter has some say in
who they are locked in a cage with to fight until one of them is rendered physically unable to continue? What?
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
Most… actually, all NFL quarterbacks are expected to start every game, even if there’s a chance the defense will hurt them. If you want to ride the bench for this one, well, we’ll find a guy that wants to be there week in and week out.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Fightlinker.com
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 19, 2010 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Cool non sequitur, bro.
UFC contracts have built in provisions for people who turn down fights anyways, which I’m sure you’re thrilled with.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
I'm not
Funny how I don’t agree with the UFC on every little thing.
Right now, either Manny is turning down Floyd or Floyd is turning down Manny. I’d love it if neither one of them had a choice.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Fightlinker.com
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 19, 2010 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions
It wasn't a shot at your general support
but the fact that right now you’re implying they shouldn’t have options. Care to elaborate on what you don’t agree with?
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
lol
this is insane.
Should you sign a slave labor contract to be an MMA fighter?
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
Being a slave < fighting the fighters the fans want to see you fight.
There’s no actual way to “make” them fight, but what you can do is publicize the turn-down and let public opinion ostracize the guy. Make it about “we give title shots to guys that fight all comers, because that’s what champions do.”
Should Brock have been able to turn down Shane and say " fuck it I want a rubber match with Mir"?
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Fightlinker.com
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 19, 2010 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
So it’s ok to treat them like slaves when they have the belt, but not until they get there.
You can see how this is confusing to me and I’d rather them just not duck fights.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Fightlinker.com
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 19, 2010 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions
correction
I said a “great deal of say”
you responded by saying that i said/implied “some say,” which I didn’t.
of course fighters should have some input, but ultimately I feel that it should be DW and Joe Silva’s decision at the end of the day, regardlesss of a fighters unwillingness to fight a friend or someone who he may happen to train with.
"she told me she was on the pill." me
I think its in the UFC's best interest to give some leeway to fighters
Otherwise instead of declining fights ahead of time there is the risk they would miss due to various injuries and/or “injuries”
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." -Author Schopenhauer
"The fox devises many strategies, the hedgehog only one, but he uses is very effectively." -Archilochus
by BigDNotDallas on Jul 19, 2010 1:03 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Fighters can say no, but Joe Silva can always counter with ‘the road to the title runs through Machida’. If you don’t fight Machida, you don’t get a shot at the belt.
There's also needling with the possibility
That if they choose to duck Machida on their way to the title, then he’ll just slot Machida into the next title shot to take it “back.”
Howling?
How dare you sir!
Perhaps my best years are gone. When there was a chance of happiness. But I wouldn't want them back. Not with the fire in me now. No, I wouldn't want them back.
Ultra-disciplined counter-strikers are annoying to fight
even if i was the most talented fighter in the world, I wouldn’t want to fight Machida unless he had the title. it’s probably maddening as hell to fight him. Has anyone ever just stood in the center of the Octagon without pushing forward against him. i mean isn’t his style to back up and counterstrike? so wouldn’t you be able to make him look like an ass by just taking the center and not going after him. has wanyone ever done that and has he ever actually stalked someone rather than goading them into stalking him?
a life: it's the shit that happens while you're waiting for moments that never come -Lester Freamon
by eastcoastatlas on Jul 19, 2010 10:20 AM EDT reply actions
no
Rashad tried to counter-strike Machida. If you don’t press him and control the space like Shogun did, he’ll just lunge in and hit and kick you and then dance away. Over and over again.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
Yep.
I don’t know why he has this reputation as strictly a counter striker. Just because he is quick with his counters? He is constantly moving in and out on guys. I wish someone would stand in the middle of the octagon against him. They would get clowned and embarrassed.
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
by Geno Mrosko on Jul 19, 2010 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions
Didn't Shogun use counter strikes?
It’s not just pressing, otherwise you end up like Thiago Silva. From what I recall of Shogun’s formula, it was press forward, use leg kicks, and time Machida’s strikes so that every time he comes in, you make him eat a punch. Shogun also covered up his head as well and left his midsection exposed, willing to eat the shots like the one that felled Tito.
by Pantherhare on Jul 19, 2010 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
exactly
Shogun pressed forward but forced Machida to strike first. In the first fight he answered with lower body attacks. In the second, he went for the kill right away.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
The other thing to notice that's more in depth
is how he timed Lyoto’s footwork. That’s what set up all those leg attacks. Nobody else hit Lyoto because of how quickly he appeared to be out of range. What Shogun noticed is that instead of being two steps to one direction it was a half step back half step to the side, which clowned most opponents. By gathering the timing and position of Lyoto (which he did insanely well in the first fight for having only tape and sparring partners to go off of) he was able to make a great defensive habit into a liability.
Oversimplifying a little bit, but that’s the general idea behind the first fight it seems.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
exactly
it was a brilliant tactical performance by Shogun. I’ll be very interested to see how Machida rebounds. Not many fighters will be able to implement Shogun’s game plan, but it’s there for all to see.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
Shogun actually mentioned a couple of weeks before the 2nd fight
That he had noticed and trained for some of Machida’s nuances, including the situations when he consistently dropped his hands.
This flaw, ingrained in Lyoto’s muscle memory, is one of the reasons I keep saying Machida will have a hard time re-training that to get past Shogun. Of course, Anderson is probably the only other LHW capable of exploiting that flaw, so…
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." -Author Schopenhauer
"The fox devises many strategies, the hedgehog only one, but he uses is very effectively." -Archilochus
by BigDNotDallas on Jul 19, 2010 1:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
As a flaw? Hmm
It reminds me of the stereotypical MMA wrestlers when it came to takedown defense… but it also seems to be “a karate thing.”
It’ll be interesting if Jones can exploit this too, he probably has the reach for this.
Eh...
I think Machida is the perfect guy to take Bones’ “unpredictable” striking and turn it into “technically deficient” striking. Combine that with very heavy hips to prevent the throws and I can see Bones getting frustrated and outpointed.
Then again, who knows. He could go-go-gadget punch Lyoto square on the chin and then sinning elbow him into oblivion. I just think it’s a nightmare style matchup.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
For both
That is one fight at LHW (aside from Anderson-Rua) that I could easily see as being very 1-sided for either guy, or a great, highly competitive fight down to the wire.
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." -Author Schopenhauer
"The fox devises many strategies, the hedgehog only one, but he uses is very effectively." -Archilochus
by BigDNotDallas on Jul 19, 2010 1:30 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
One of those partners was a karateka who was adept at imitating Lyoto
It wasn’t Dida. :) While he “only” had tape, it’s a LOT of tape — and ironically, all those decisions gave Shogun MORE tape to go off of; moreover, he had the strategic initiative in that he was going to come in as a ‘newly disciplined’ striker who was also a serious ground threat.
Regarding the choice to use ONLY the first fight as training tape for the second fight, I guess he or someone in his camp realized that Lyoto would “narrow it down” (his focus) to the first fight as well.
Glaube Feitosa
a life: it's the shit that happens while you're waiting for moments that never come -Lester Freamon
by eastcoastatlas on Jul 19, 2010 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions
No, it was another
7-time Paraná state karate champ João Gilherme Bendly, selected by Shogun out of ten Paraná karateka for the task:
I memorized Lyoto from the top to the bottom so that I can impose myself in front of Shogun, because what he needed was the karate’s timing, the defense techniques of Lyoto. This timing is different and requires years of practice in Karate and that’s exactly what he needs. I adapted my game to Lyoto’s and did what he does in front of Shogun to do this specific trainingShame that the credit for what he did went to Dida instead in the UFC 113 Countdown.
nice, man
i guess feitosa was just brought in to coach
a life: it's the shit that happens while you're waiting for moments that never come -Lester Freamon
by eastcoastatlas on Jul 19, 2010 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
The winner of Bader/Silva seems right for Franklin
But that’s a ways off
RIP Phil Harris. I'll miss you man
by II SMASH II on Jul 19, 2010 10:20 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Bader Lil Nog?
When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, and he looks you crooked in the eye and he asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail." - Jack Burton
by donkeypunch on Jul 19, 2010 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions
I have a good professional relationship with pretty much everyone I’ve everybody I’ve ever fought both before and after the fight
Sounds to me like Franklin is an admirable human being…
by truck on Jul 19, 2010 10:21 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
The "pretty much" intrigues me
Who hates you, Rich?
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Fightlinker.com
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 19, 2010 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions
If I'm remembering the Machida-Franklin fight
Lyoto took it to Rich. Finished him with a big knee, if I’m thinking right. Machida would still be heavily favored in a rematch but I would be down to see it. Both guys are much later in their careers.
Also, it greatly pains me to hear him say that he would rather not have to fight Forrest. That’s a fight that I would absolutely love to see. I’m curious, Kid Nate, as to why you find that to be a low risk fight?
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
Forrest will forever be the underdog
They guy is rarely considered a threat due to the lack of power in his fists.
Most people think he is very overrated… ( I am not one who think so… but have stopped defending him in my circles after the Silva fight…)
It would be an enjoyable fight,
Although I am among those who consider him (and Rampage) as the most over-rated LHWs.
Both are still great fighters, just not among the very best in the division…
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." -Author Schopenhauer
"The fox devises many strategies, the hedgehog only one, but he uses is very effectively." -Archilochus
by BigDNotDallas on Jul 19, 2010 1:12 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
ya Lyoto def took it to Rich
"Players are gods, the stands are the pews, football is the new religion."
by DamnSevern on Jul 19, 2010 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Wasn’t the knee. It was the big left that rocked him and then the right head kick. Beautiful. He’s fucked so many people up with that straight left.
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
by Geno Mrosko on Jul 19, 2010 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
Unfortunately for Machida
The use of the straight left as his bread-and-butter was one of the things that Shogun’s camp noticed.
Franklin's last top 5 shot?
I think the stage is set for him to make one more go at a title contention. The buzz is set after his last match against Chuck and he said the right thing by saying he “would fight anyone”.
Now, he just has to get the right opponent.
Tito would be a good one to start, but wouldn’t move him closer to top 5.
Semper Fi
Rich seems a future Zuffa executive in the making
Like Vice President in charge of fighter relations or something like that. Like what Bob Watson is to MLB or even what Gene Upshaw was to the NFL.
by Trust Doesn't Rust on Jul 19, 2010 10:36 AM EDT reply actions
I think that’s awesome that Rich will fight anyone, even a friend or buddy. But the reality is that had he picked and chosen his opponents from the get go, he could still have had that MW belt strapped around his waist (or at least defended it longer). Rich could have ducked Anderson Silva for years before having to fight him. He could have also turned down the numerous catch weight fights that did nothing for his progress in the light heavy weight division. I find nothing wrong with a fighter ducking opponents; in fact I think it is a smart strategy and just part of the overall game. It would be stupid for Franklin to call out Machida, especially when there are other fighters out there who have better name recognition with the casual fan base and are nowhere near the threat level that Machida presents. If Rich wants to make a legitimate title run than why not travel the path of least resistance?
I like the Griffin matchup, but:
A win over Machida puts him right into the title picture.
A win over Griffin will need to be followed by a win over Bader / Nog or Rampage for the same effect.
I go w/option B. Option A (if he loses, which he most likely would) would put him back in gatekeeper status, or close to it. He’s hot right now, coming off of the Chuck KO. He should be matched up w/the winner of the Bader/Nog fight. I just don’t think he needs to win another fight before getting a chance the winner of that match. But to make things interesting/entertaining, I’m fine w/a Forrest or Page fight in December/January.
*
What’s the deal w/Rampage lately anyway, is he still doing the publicity stuff for the A-Team overseas?
"she told me she was on the pill." me
see no reason why Franklin would take a machida fight he has no chance.
Goldberg on Leben: One thing's for sure--he really did break that door on the Ultimate Fighter.
Rogan: uh...yeah.
Come on man
I’d favor Machida but to say Rich has no chance is completely wrong. This is mma, a sport in which anything can happen, and Franklin is a dangerous fighter
Completely agree. The problem at LHW is there are 4 guys that NO ONE else wants to fight
Unless its for the title. Rua, Anderson, Machida and Jones are the elite at 205 and I don’t see anyone else who has a decent shot at beating one of them. Rashad, Bader and at some point Phil Davis could be somewhat competative with Rua and Anderson, at least initially.
Beyond them, no one else really has anything to offer them.
My guess – Thiago Silva is made a sacrafice for Jones, Machida will face whoever Joe Silva can strong-arm into fighting him and then Jones and Machida will fight. Machida IMO is the single most dangerous LHW for Jones (after Maty +1 more), so idk how that one goes…
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." -Author Schopenhauer
"The fox devises many strategies, the hedgehog only one, but he uses is very effectively." -Archilochus
by BigDNotDallas on Jul 19, 2010 1:21 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
You're nuts
Rashad Evans is elite at 205 and anyone that believes otherwise is a mark.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Fightlinker.com
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 19, 2010 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Actually I am nuts,
But that doesn’t have anything to do with my comment. You’ll note I listed Rashad seperately, below Rua, Anderson, Machida and Jones, but above all of the others at 205.
Who exactly among those 4 do you think Rashad has a reasonable chance at beating and why?
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." -Author Schopenhauer
"The fox devises many strategies, the hedgehog only one, but he uses is very effectively." -Archilochus
by BigDNotDallas on Jul 19, 2010 1:35 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Rua – sucks at wrestling, knees may be done at this point, cardio issues remain
Jones – best win is Brandon Vera, let’s not crown him as the Second Coming yet
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Fightlinker.com
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 19, 2010 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Rua does suck at wrestling, and has shown to be remarkably easy for a good wrestler to take down, but I think the combination of his sweeps / reversals + Rashads lack of dominant top control spells trouble for Rashad. Rua’s cardio no longer seems suspect IMO, although with the new injury…
As for Jones, true its too soon to crown him, but the guy has pwn’d Rashad over in training (I know, the gym is not the cage). I find it highly unlikely Rashad would ever agree to fight him, unless its a title fight.
Assuming Rua returns healthy, I can’t see Rashad getting past any of these guys.
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." -Author Schopenhauer
"The fox devises many strategies, the hedgehog only one, but he uses is very effectively." -Archilochus
by BigDNotDallas on Jul 19, 2010 2:02 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I can't get Rua gassing against Coleman out of my head
Give Mark a real training camp and he wins a decision there. The jury’s out on those fights, but to call Rashad anything but elite smacks of disrespect to me.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Fightlinker.com
by Derek Suboticki on Jul 19, 2010 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
You know else he didn't mention...
William Shatner. I’d fight Shatner.
Anyway, two points:
1. If the UFC is struggling to find opponents for Machida, I suggest they talk to Jon Jones’ camp. He’s probably be willing to fight Machida on Leben Rest after this next fight.
2. I bet Franklin would say no to Jones.
"Daydreams of a 'fair' world which would treat him according to his 'real worth' are the refuge of all those plagued by a lack of self-knowledge." -- Ludwig von Mises.
False...
All of that nonsense you decided to write to start this blog was false. He talks about what the fans would like to see, and clearly states in every interview he will fight anyone. I do believe that he should go after fights like Tito and Forrest, rather then Machida just for his own health, no one I know would pay to watch Rich and Lyoto fight, it would be a 3 round beating. I would love to see Forrest and Rich fight, they are both skilled and put everything in the ring. But Machida is just a bit too much for Rich to be thinking about. I know he made comments about the Title, but there is no way he will ever beat Machida or Shogun, I don’t even believe he would have a shot at Rashad right now. He is passed his prime and needs to step into the fights he knows he has a shot at, don’t dis a great fighter who if asked will fight anyone, that’s just dumb. Go Rich, you’re awesome.
did I dis Franklin?
no.
1) You agree the Machida fight makes no sense for him.
2) I explicitly said I wasn’t bashing Franklin
3) I corrected myself when I was told that the “that particular one” he didn’t want to fight was Forrest and not Machida.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
Can’t really blame Rich, or any fighter for that matter, for not wanting to fight their current training partners IMO.
Tito, Forrest, Lyoto…I guess the easiest fight for Rich would be Tito IMO. Lowest risk, and would probably do some decent PPV buys, though I don’t think a win over Tito helps him rise in the rankings.
Rich Franklin has proven in his career that he ducks no one and will bring the fight to anyone period to even question that at this point is truly reaching.
"they mad at me, I keep going hard reppin/
cause what's your Rampage to Rashad Evans/"
-Joe Budden (Something To Ride To)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/76866807deabe3c1/
yeah
that’s why he wouldn’t fight Reese Andy.
I explicitly said in the post that I wasn’t accusing Franklin of ducking anyone. The point of the post is that fighters have latitude about who they fight and even the ultimate company man like Rich Franklin will now and then throw a curveball at Joe Silva.
THAT was the point.
I sometimes wonder why I bother having a point.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
of course guys have latitide of who they fight that is no surprise but Rich would have fought Reese if he was forced to, and your post read like you were accusing him of ducking Machida whether it was inteded or not.
"they mad at me, I keep going hard reppin/
cause what's your Rampage to Rashad Evans/"
-Joe Budden (Something To Ride To)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/76866807deabe3c1/
by Nightwhistler on Jul 20, 2010 1:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Rich Franklin
The UFC real go to guy,whenever the UFC need a guy to step up Franklin is always there to bail the company.I myself has called Franklin a company man,but I must say he’s a real team player.
by TERRENCEFROMSOUTHEAST on Jul 19, 2010 9:11 PM EDT reply actions
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