UFC 88 Could Feature Rich Franklin In Light Heavyweight Bout
After suffering a second crushing defeat at the hands of Anderson Silva, many thought that the middleweight road ahead would be too bumpy for Rich Franklin to bother walking through yet again. And so it seems Franklin has in fact decided to give light heavyweight another go, however his opponent is far from determined at this point.
From MMAJunkie.com:
“Former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin (23-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) will restart his quest for another title shot this fall – most likely at a UFC 88 event in Atlanta – though it won’t necessarily come at 185 pounds.
A source closed to the Sept. 6 event tells MMAjunkie.com that Franklin has been targeted for the event, and the search for an opponent “is in full swing.” However, when contacted for comment, J.T. Stewart, Franklin’s business manager, said nothing definitive has been decided and that he had no other comment.”
The article added that Franklin’s return to the 205 pound weight class could only be temporary, and that “Ace” and his to-be-decided opponent would serve as the co-main event for UFC 88. Franklin defeated Ken Shamrock with ease in his last venture into the LHW division, which was in April of 2005.
As awesome as it was witnessing the hypnotic beatings Anderson Silva layed upon Rich Franklin, you had to feel just a little sympathetic for the guy who could seemingly defeat anyone and everyone, save for the pesky Brazilian who took his strap and repeatedly re-arranged his face. Luckily for Franklin, there really doesn’t seem to be anyone quite like “The Spider” in the LHW order (except perhaps for Silva himself if he remains at light heavyweight). If Franklin does decide to make 205 pounds his new home, he just might get back into contention for that precious UFC gold. Not to mention that at only 33 years old, I feel like the former high school math teacher still has plenty of highlight reels left in him.
Tags: Rich Franklin
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He has to go somewhere. He can’t beat Silva at 185.
I hope he does well at 205
SWEET THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE HIM ALSO ON THE 19TH.
LOOKING FORWARD TO SEE RICH IN LWH. DON’T KNOW HOW GOOD HE’LL DO BUT IT WILL BE INTERESTING
Dan Henderson vs Rich Franklin, that’s what the people want!
What’s with all these MW jumping to LH, I blame the Bisping factor !!! Seriously though, some great matchups on the cards in LH, that division is sooooo stacked.
Wow…the lhw division is just gettin stacked…theres soooo many good fighters in this division…This next year should interesting for fights in that weight class..
FOR REAL JPM. THERE ARE SO MANY FIGHTERS IN THAT DIVISION IT COULD BE YEARS FOR FIGHTERS TO GET THERE TITLE SHOT
I like Franklin… but he’s between a rock and a hard place – The UFC 185 division made him look good until Anderson Silva arrived! He’ll not do much better at 205 Against the upper tier guys.. can anyone really see Franklin beating –
Wandi, Machida, Rampage, T Silva, Chuck, Shogun, Griffin…
He might do OK against Jardine, Bonner, Hamill… but whats the point??
DAN P THE GUYS YOU MENTIONED ARE ALL TOP 10 GUYS OF COURSE NOT RIGHT AWAY.
Imagine if he actually beat Anderson one day at 205.
Franklin just moved into Silva’s new division. I don’t understand why he would do this. It’s great that the LHW division is getting stacked with talent but I don’t get it…..Franklin should drop down to 145, join the WEC and fight Faber.
yzfoxracing
your spot on mate, you look at fighers like Karo, Diego Sanchez, Fitch…..how long have these guys been waiting for their title shots? And in divisions that are no way near as stacked as LH
DIETRICH,
It would be pretty cool to see what would happen with Silva vs Franklin at LHW. My gut feeling tells me Silva would handle Franklin the same way. I seriously do not understand this move at ALL. Why would a one time champ move into the same division as the guy who destoyed you and your whole division?
rich is a big guy already he will have to cut weight to make 205 so he wont be that out of place there. he has already fought at 205 already and did very well so i am not too worried about him there. he will be alot stronger than he is at mw. adb yes I believe that he can beat those top teir 205 pounders.
when A door shuts in your face you have to find another way it just so happened that a knee shut in rich franklins face so he is going around it.
as for the spyder he is just looking to be what dan henderson is pride a duel champion. which would be the ufc first which would be great
Im really surprised more LHW’s don’t drop to 185….it’s prob the weakest division in the ufc…especially if you take out silva…I mean has Wandi ever fought at 185?…I know hes only like 5′11 so the weight wouldn’t be an issue…He would tear thru that division like a fat kid in a candy store..
IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE WANDI IN MW BUT HE WANTS TO FIGHT CHUCK AGAIN.
i hope rich fights at ufc 88 mainly because i got tickets and i like rich i know they wont do it because the card is looking like it is going to be stacked but i sure would like to see rich vs. w.silva that night
Cole,
I think he has talked about it before, but I think he decided against it for whatever reason. He would dominate at 85 for sure!
i like franklin, but i think he’s done. he didn’t even look that good in his win against lutter.
Look good or not he still won…
When I think of Franklin I don’t (yet) think of him in the Evan Tanner, Jeremy Horn, Matt Hughes category.
He is an exciting fighter and is still one of the faces of the org.
He ran into one juggernaut named Anderson Silva…
KELVIN YOUR RIGHT HE REALLY DIDN’T. HE GASED OUT IN THE FIRST ROUND AND LUTTER WAS AT ONE OF HIS ANKLES AND FRANKLIN BARLEY COULD PUNCH.
Obviously he’s doesnt want to get owned by Bisping
Seriously 205 is a bad move for him – and fighting Anderson there would be a joke
Give him Lyoto. that is what both need. Rich has to want redemption, and Lyoto wants to be taken seriously.
I like Rich at 205…maybe not as much as 185, but i think he beats Machida..in fact, i hope that they give him Machida since nobody else wants to fight him, and I dont think Rich would let him run away.
And for Cole, I think that Wandy was talked to about dropping to 185, but he didn’t want to at this time.
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE A RICH AND MACHIDA FIGHT… THAT WOULD BE AWSOME. IM STOKED THAT RICH WENT TO LHW…
kelvin,
WTF
kelvin what do you mean that he didnt look good he put on some sweet jits and dominated the fight I am I missing something????
Machida owned Franklin in their first fight….I really would like to see number 2.
That could be an interesting fight.
UFC WILL PROBABLY GIVE HIM AN EASIER FIGHT LIKE THEY DID WITH ANDERSON
He will fight David Heath i’ll put money on it.
Give me a break. Franklin would get crushed at 205. Who did he really beat? (no heart / no train)Lutter, (boozer)Tanner twice, (old and off roids)Shamrock, (head case & kicked out of UFC) Loiseau, (big Spike reality losers) Dewees/Rivera/MacDonald ???? C’mon, this is new generation UFC he looked good against stiffs… any of the top 8 will crush him if he moves up to a heavier weight and including Henderson and Amir at Middleweight… I hate Jock sniffers.
YZFOXRACING,
Irvin is no easy fight. I actually have him winning this fight. I agree that it would be easier than Machida, but dont take Irvin lightly, the dude has the Iceman’s knockout ability. Franklin did dominate Shamrock at 205….but its also Shamrock. This will be fun.
Will,
you seem intellegent…Amir…cmon.
FixXer,
OK, Amir MIGHT be a reach but what a about the stiffs he beat? Anyone top notch? Oh, (slow but strong) Okami…
Machida vs. Franklin would be easier??? alright genious you got to be kidding me. How would be beat Machida; on the ground or standup??? what a joke.
DAM WILL YOUR SMART AND KNOW YOUR STUFF LOL HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
jock sniffer… yeah, he’s popular, the Ace, and stuff BUT again who has he fought????
It will be interesting to see who the match him up with. One thing though, if Silva’s moving up, why would he move up as well. It’s not like there aren’t any good fights left for him at 185. Ov course everyone wants to see Franklin-vs-Henderson, but I also want to see him fight Bisping, Almeida, and Marquardt as well. Never the less, he’s moving up to 205 and we know there are tons of potential great match ups for him there. Either of the following guys would be good stern tests for Rich at 205…Stephan Bonner, Keith Jardine, Houston Alexander, James Irvin, or Matt Hamil. I think Rich will get over powered at 205, plus I’m not to sure about his chin (I think it may be a little suspect)…Maybe be they will set up a rematch between him and Machida so he can avenge that KO lost from Rumble on the Rock years ago.
Will,
Ok dude…anytime your record is 23-3…and 2 loses are from the same guy…then you are a good fighter. Especially fighting in the UFC. If you want to say he is not a great fighter…then you have to say the same thing about Anderson Silva. If all them guys u have mentioned are indeed chumps…then Anderson has only beaten Dan Henderson…..and he rated the best pound for pound fighter. Your logic makes no sense to me.
again FixXer 23-3 but who has he fought… 1-2 again good competition (Okami)… let’s fight reality losers and bulk up my record… don’t forget he got beat down by Machida in Pride…
will
Ha ha ha, your like mma genious!!!!! i know most people on this site are a lot more clued up than me but c’mon dude, your embarrasing yourself
Silva beat Nate, a very good fighter and I also look at international experience. Silva had a lot of tough fights before the UFC.
FOR REAL WILL. DUDE YOU NEED TO JUST STOP LOL HA HA HA HA HA YOUR CRACKIN ALL OF US UP LOL
Yeah, im done arguing whether or not Rich Franklin is a good fighter. What about Anderson Silva….who has he fought? Has he not proved himself good enough for you Will??
Keep sniffin Ace’s jock jpm and wait till he get mauled by Hamil, Thiago, or even Houston… he’s not going to 205 though. Has to run from Anderson.
Anderson Silva is a bad mofo, no doubt. deadly striker and good ground. he’s vulnerable: mounted by (no train/no wind) Lutter and Henderson inflicted some damage in rd.1 … i think Thiago takes him out badly. Machida would be an interesting match up I’d like to see him stalk and maul him…
HOW THE HELL IS HE RUNIN FORM ANDERSON WHEN ANDERSON IS GOING UP AND SO RICH. THEY PROBABLY HAVE A BETTER CHANCE TO FIGHT EACHOTHER IN LHW YOU IDIOT. DUDE YOUR SH1T DONT MAKE SENSE MAN
trust me, that’s a rumor. Ace is not fighting LHW unless Silva goes back to Middleweight.
Ace will never, ever fight Anderson again you moron.
ALRIGHT WILL ALRIGHT MAN…
KEEP GOING
besides, Ace has a whole new crop of middleweight reality losers to prey on: CB, Matt Brown, Patrick Shultz, Cale… he can have 30-3 record and then he’ll be real good right, FixXer??
will – your making a fool of yourself c’mon read back some of the stuff u just wrote and tell me its not stupid. U call Silva good but not franklin who got submitted by Ryo Chonan in pride. look who franklin has lost to the pound for pound best guy in the world and Machida who no1 in the LWH devision wants to fight.
o and btw Matt Brown has dropped to 170lbs
ok how about Dante? that was tongue and cheek don’t be so literal you geek… please answer: who has Franklin beat??? that’s all i’m saying. What does losing to Ryo have to do with anything, he is a complete badass…
I think Will is just trying to get a rise out of people. Either that or he does not realize his lack of knowledge in comparison to the regulars here.
the “regulars” can’t answer a simple question. i’ve been watching and participating in MMA for over a decade. I’ve been to Japan to watch Pride fights. I trained in Thailand and workout in the same gym with several MMA fighters (not UFC but on the cusp) who give me REAL info… c’mon Ace going to LHW? Get a life regulars.
Franklin has fought tanner former middleweight champ, nate quarry, yushin okami, travis lutter and loads of others. If they were really that bad why are they in the ufc. Franlkin has lost to 2 poeple anderson silva who no1 has beaten in the ufc and lyoto machida who no1 has ever beaten
Will,
Just as I said, you are rtying to get a rise out of people. Look back on the posts like someone else told you to. Even I said Franklin moving up made ZEROsense to me. You are going about this in more of an arguement fashion than conversation. What makes you think because a guy trains in a gym he knows more then the media or fans? I have svereal friends who compete in StrikeForce, Elite and Shooto……I give them news more often than they give me. Most likely because I too often visit MMA sites….just making a point. I respect your opinion. Just calm down.
KOuch
That Will sounds like he’s got little man syndrome, have you considered that perhaps he’s a dwarf or midget?
i mentioned Yushin was a descent win. Let’s not even discuss the Lutter fight, please. Quarry, a reality loser, very stiff and limited and his claim to fame is beating an old Shoney while being juiced up. He beat Tanner in 2003!!! The UFC is a completely different world in 2008. In 2003, wrestlers and straight jitz guys had titles. tanner in 2003 would look the same as his fight with spider. don’t you “regulars” remember the 2003 caliber fighters??
will
its quite clear u dont like franklin and anything anyone says to try and justify your just going to call “stiffs” and “reality losers” so whats the point of arguing anymore
JPM,
I did not consider that but it sounds about right. It’s really rare people get angry the way he did here. I snapped over being offended once before but took my warning and been cool ever since. Will is just angry. It is really Dana white’s fault. Had he just made he announcement of the two new divisions for dwarfs and midgets, Will would not be so jealous of Franklin.
Will,
I must tend to other things but before I go I just suggest you stay on topic. You successfully got a rise out of a few people and now you are headed off topic. Franklin moving up still makes no sense to me. Good day.
hey will u like to wind people up dont u haha rich will be good at LHW if this is true, i haven’t read all the post so dont no if some1 has already said this but some guys just have people they cant beat like a.silva and rich but rich is still the cream of the crop an ide back the guy against most people at 205 or 185, but i wanted to see hendo and franklin or the count an franklin.
cute JPM… after Franklin’s fight with Henderson I’ll mail you Ace’s sweaty jock
Maybe Will has been suckin too much dick…I hear that tends to piss people off…especially if your a midget.
Yeah Cole Miller, you resemble that skinny, scrawny, thumb dick, reality loser, sucking Jeremy Stephen’s dick
havnt u been participating in mma for years now will y arn’t u in the ufc, obviously not skinny, scrawny, thumb dick, reality loser, sucking Jeremy Stephen’s dick
yeah will if u really are an true mma fighter you wouldn’t be getting so pissed off about all these coments, my guess is u got bullyed at skool so ur trying to act tough it dunt suit you get a life!
WILL DOG JUST SHUT UP ALREADY MAN. EVERYONE HATES LOL… DO YOU EVEN WATCH MMA MAN. FROM YOUR KNOWLEDGE I WOULD THINK NOT HA HA. YOUR SAYING ALL THIS SH1T TO GET A REACTION OUT OF PEOPLE AND YOUR PROBABLY JUST SITTING LAUGHIN AND WERE ALL GIVIN YOU THE ATTENTION YOUR ASKING FOR. EVERYONE JUST STOP TALKING TO THE IDIOT… FOR REAL MAN
Everyone- you need to stop with the childish insulting of other posters. I don’t know why this is such an issue but it needs to stop. If you feel the need to troll and leave nothing but insults in the comments section you will get banned. There is no excuse for that kind of behavior and it will not be tolerated. Lets get it together people, I think we are all above this sort of B.S.
Also YZFOXRACING- again, there is no need for all caps all the time buddy.
I live about 1 mile from Miletich training center and know most of the fighters there. Most the fighters get the information on whats happening in the UFC or anywhere else from places like this. They basically know what we know.
Eric,
I agree…I post here because of the intelligent convos we have had in the past with regulars like myself….now that its growing we insults and know-it-alls are rising….i guess its inevitable.
Hey I am sorry for franklin!!! Silva is following Franklin to light heavy weight, he’s trying to end his career. lol
LOL WHATS THE BIG DEAL WITH THE CAPS MAN…
YZFOXRACING-caps are like yelling, its one of the oldest online etiquette points and its just unnecessary. please do us a favor and leave them behind. thanks man, mmafrenzy.com appreciates it.
WORDS IN ALL CAPS MAKE MY HEAD WANT TO EXPLO…*head explodes*
From Dana’s mouth: “I want Bisping/Franklin, bad!”… Franklin is not going to fight Henderson, both cannot afford to lose, both are very popular. The road is to Bisping. Both are getting softballs for the next fight: Pete Sell, The Spider, Macdonald, McFredries… basically anyone but Kampmann and Nate M. then Franklin/Bisping …
Kouch,
Yeah its pretty much a fanboy bizzare outcome of MMA type thing. I don’t know why he would move up because 185 is dying as a division. I know this will raise some eyebrows but I would like to See Doug Marshall try 185.
Franklin in the LHW division I seriously don’t see him beating Liddell / Quinton / A Silva, Silva can handle this division but Franklin ,not a big fan of this move , I’d like to see Franklin at Welterweight, Franklins alround game is a good test for any1 , he’s a weak LHW / Strong MW / Really Strong WW, and yes Franklin is a good fighter maybe second in middle weight behind Silva or third behind Henderson, Probably 11th – 9th at Light Heavy Weight that division is crazy
Wow, Franklin and Hammill at UFC 88, hot. Go hammill.
Dan Henderson vs Rich Franklin is a fight I’d like to see.
http://www.fromthecage.com
who do yall think will win the franklin vs. hamil fight.
be a very close fight but i give the edge to rich, as long as he can avoid the takedowns i think hes has the stand up to knock hammill out, be good to watch tho
NICE HAMMILL VS RICH… GOOD MATCH UP. THIS IS A BETTER FIGHT IN LHW FOR RICH THEN ANDERSON SILVAS FIGHT.
this fight i heard is a rumor, they are pretty tight. if it does happen, it’s Dana handpicking a fight for Franklin: someone with a descent name (another reality loser) who is slow and can’t crush your skull in the clinch which is Franklin’s only real strength. Also, they avoid expert jitz guys for Franklin who is only descent on the ground. Think Okami…. there is nobody in the middleweight division that meets the criteria: Nate, Henderson and Kampmann will beat him, so go up for a fight then come down for a big hype fight with Bisping…..
how can u avoid hammills take downs isnt he an all american? Matt hammill is way underated in my opinion
All American for the Deaf. it’s like 1 out of 7 people in his weight class… big difference from Collegiate D-1 All
just because hes a good wrestler doesn’t mean hes gunaget a takedown look at matt hughes vs alves and tito vs the runaway man haha
Franklin will do fine on the ground… Hamill will take him down but what then? He has minimal submission skills and Franklin has good ground defense… Franklin will be too active for Hamil and will hurt him against the cage…
but will franklin be able to snuff the takedowns?
and how active is he really going to be with a huge 205 guy just lying on top of him?
I think he will just be a little slower but he has enough experiance to make a tough fight and I think he has better hands that Matt.
Hi guys, this is my first time posting and i’m probably reviving a dead thread but I have to agree with Will on this one. Franklin really doesn’t have a very impressive resume if you look at it closely. We’ve seen this before from fighters who have nice looking records but no QUALITY wins (i.e. Jason Black, among others).
I like Franklin a lot and think he’s great for the sport, but he hasn’t really been pushed/tested yet. The MW division was very weak and he was able to easily win his fights there because of that. He’ll find a lot of competition in the LHW that will determine how good a fighter he really is.