Awesome. I am so glad. I say he goes up to LHW and fights Bisping until the UFC gets more middleweights. He can beat every middle weight except Anderson. He would pound Bisping

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071022/SPT/710220343/1078/COL02

better article on rich

And he shouldn’t. Ace is an excellent MMA fighter with great all around skills. He puts together strong training camps and has the mental discipline needed to win fights. Unfortunately, Silva has his number but hey in this sport there are a bunch of guys out there who just can’t beat another guy. I’m glad Franklin and his team see that retirement is not the way to go.

I’m looking forward to plenty of great fights (and wins) from Franklin. What a class act. One of the few remaining old school UFC boys.

Franklin will always be one of my favorite MMA fighters.

[quote comment="188601"]http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071022/SPT/710220343/1078/COL02

better article on rich[/quote]

Yes, much. I made the change. Thanks for the heads up.

[quote comment="188608"]And he shouldn’t. Ace is an excellent MMA fighter with great all around skills. He puts together strong training camps and has the mental discipline needed to win fights. Unfortunately, Silva has his number but hey in this sport there are a bunch of guys out there who just can’t beat another guy. I’m glad Franklin and his team see that retirement is not the way to go.

I’m looking forward to plenty of great fights (and wins) from Franklin. What a class act. One of the few remaining old school UFC boys.

Franklin will always be one of my favorite MMA fighters.[/quote]

You’re right. Wanderlei has Rampage has Liddell has Ortiz etc

Rich Franklin vs Ricardo Almeida ??

Why would anyone think he was going to in the first place? Even if there was a report, it still seems extremely far fetched that he would retire. There is literally only one man in that division who is better than him. Franklin owns the rest of them. He still has plenty of gas in the tank and plenty of people to knock out.

[quote comment="188624"]Why would anyone think he was going to in the first place? Even if there was a report, it still seems extremely far fetched that he would retire. There is literally only one man in that division who is better than him. Franklin owns the rest of them. He still has plenty of gas in the tank and plenty of people to knock out.[/quote]

Great point. What’s he gonna do? Be a math teacher? I doubt it.

I agree that he can beat all the middle weights, except for Anderson Silva. Going up to 205 would be a good idea. He had a fight at 205 against Shamrock and we all know that he destroyed him. He’s a huge at 185 and 205 is closer to his natural weight, although I think he looks like he weighs like 220.

One think Rich might consider is a whole new approach. He needs to take it to another level if he’s ever going to compete with Silva, and he won’t get it by sticking with the same system. I don’t see Rich stepping up a class, as he’s said he doesn’t think he fits there. I don’t either.

The real question in my mind is what will they do with Silva. Who is there for him to fight? Unless Henderson drops down, there are no big-time fighters to challenge him. Rich is clearly #2, and he’s lightyears behind Silva. Frankly, I’d hate for any of the hacks the UFC has behind Franklin get a shot. One of them might get lucky ala Serra and catch Silva and win the title. Would anyone like to see an overrated Bisping step down and get a shot? I wouldn’t. That devalues the championship, IMO, because a guy like Serra or Bisping or any other guy who hasn’t proven himself should never get a shot.

If I’m Dana, I’d do whatever it took to get Hendo to agree to step down a class and challenge Silva. That’s a fight I’d pay $40 for all by itself.

[quote post="3658"]Great point. What’s he gonna do? Be a math teacher? I doubt it. [/quote]
Good one Jackie.

We won’t see Franklin against Silva again (not for a very long time at least) and I don’t see The Spider going anywhere anytime soon either. Franklin could go up to 205 but that would make him a small LHW. I agree with Mahde, that leaves Ace as the #2 MW beating up on everyone. He will get some big paydays, but never see the strap again while Anderson is in the mix. It is just a testament as to how much more stacked in talent the UFC is compared to just one or two years ago.

Anything can happen in MMA, but I see Silva retaining the MW strap until he retires or resigns.

Franklin is an excellent fighter, it is just that Anderson Silva is that much better. I remember when David Loiseau was tearing through everyone and got his chance to fight Franklin.
I thought that it was going to ba a hard and difficult fight for Franklin, but he The Crow wasn’t in his Franklins league, neither was Evan Tanner when they fought, and these two were two of the best in the division. Franklin is the second best fighter in that weight division he is the same level above the rest of the fighters in that division as Anderson Silva is above him. Silva is just too good,it’s amazing

I think it’s time to bring back Matt Lindland, it will at least make things a little more intersting than they are at the moment in this division.

yea but whats next for him really ? i mean really ?? he can’t win the belt in that division.

He needs to dump that spare Gurgel as his trainer. The only reason he still gets UFC fights is because he is so firmly attached to Rich’s nuts. He only has one win, and that was against Danny Abbadi, quite possibly the worst fighter ever to be called a professional, and that went to a freaking decision. All Gurgel can do is exactly what he did on Saturday, which is to show Rich how to get his face smashed in. Rich is a great fighter and will always be one of my favorites. He deserves better than what he’s getting from Gurgel.

I have said it time and time again what is the deal with these fighters not knowing what the hell to do against the clinch. He got his ass tore up from the clinch again and he has no answer for it. He needs to learn how to use it and how to defend it cuz that is the only way anyone will beat him. Give him a taste of his own medicine!

Rich should go back to training with Matt Hughes. Matt’s new gym is supposed to be first-class. Also, stop training so much with machines. Do more technique, more caveman work-outs, hook up w/ a track-and-field coach or something.

[quote comment="188764"]He needs to dump that spare Gurgel as his trainer. The only reason he still gets UFC fights is because he is so firmly attached to Rich’s nuts. He only has one win, and that was against Danny Abbadi, quite possibly the worst fighter ever to be called a professional, and that went to a freaking decision. All Gurgel can do is exactly what he did on Saturday, which is to show Rich how to get his face smashed in. Rich is a great fighter and will always be one of my favorites. He deserves better than what he’s getting from Gurgel.[/quote]
Danny Abbadi is the man.

[quote comment="188714"]
neither was Evan Tanner [/quote]

Now we know why Tanner drinks so much. I could hear that conversation…..between Dana and Evan Tanner “Dana You want me to come back and face who?…..are you drunk Dana?”.

In all seriousness though, Franklin is a very good fighter who just does not match well with Sylva.

Excellent points about Gurgel – what a tool that guy is – Rich needs better company. Matt Hughes could take Anderson

The Oracle has spoken

Good points about Gurgel – complete tool

Matt Hughes could take Anderson

The Oracle has spoken

Rich should stick around because Silva may get bored and leave the UFC, and then maybe Rich can be champ again.

Silva’s speed and accuracy is unhuman. Too bad for Franklin he is going to be another stepping stone, until he fades away to teaching high school, we won’t see Rich for a long time after he fixes his broken nose, Again !!!

Silva is insane..can he make 170??? Franklin is sick but cant beat Silva duhh but i say he goes up to 205 for a bit..he can match with guys better there cuz they’re not as fast as Silva and Franklin would contend well in LHW and won’t have to cut much weight…

[quote comment="188775"]I have said it time and time again what is the deal with these fighters not knowing what the hell to do against the clinch. He got his ass tore up from the clinch again and he has no answer for it. He needs to learn how to use it and how to defend it cuz that is the only way anyone will beat him. Give him a taste of his own medicine![/quote]

A well-executed thai clinch is nasty, dude. It’s difficult to get out of and damage comes very quickly and savagely. I thought Franklin did a pretty decent job of getting out of some of them and defending the others even if it forced him to take some knees to the legs. If I recall correctly, only a couple of clinches did most of the damage.

But that’s how they go. When a good muay thai practitioner has you in a solid clinch, it’s pretty frustrating. And you know the next few seconds are going to hurt.

Also, it’s difficult to use the clinch very well like Silva does. It takes time to learn and some guys never get it because in an odd way, it requires a lot of finesse as well as strength. A lot of guys tighten their necks then quickly drop their heads to slip out but that’s dangerous. I personally like the elbow straight down on the bicep defense but if you don’t do it immediately, you will take a knee to the ribs on your exposed side.

Like I said, thai clinches are nasty.

Ever hear the chant;
“We’re number 2. We’re number 2! We’re number………”?

I can see it now. Big foam hands with TWO fingers up, brought to you by American Fighter.

I think he’d get torn up at 205 too, unless he went to the center of the octagon and takes a knee so nobody can kick him.

Comeback anyone?

Rich is the man and he can beat silva he just needs more work and maybe needs to look to just take on the ground he can’t winning fighting with punches from the outside

Yeah I agree as well.
I had mentioned it in other posts, Franklin should definetly move up to lhw.
It looks pretty unanimous across this board.
I mean at this point where else can he go being ranked # 2 in the middleweight division until he retires and I although both fights we’re exciting I don’t think anyone wants to see part 3.
I see Franklin being a real big contender in the lhw
I think he could win over chuck/rashad/bisping/hamil/jardine?
plus franklin-vs-machida pt 2 maybe he could avenge the only other person to beat him.
Franklin against Tito could be good-hopefully he would BEAT ortiz.

anderson silva is the best all around fighter out there….he brings it all to the cage….muay thai….jiu jitsu….wrestling….he can do it all….thats what makes him so dangerous….everyone has obviously seen his striking….when he fought nate marquart….however you spell that….he used good wrestling technique….he used a switch technique and proceeded to beat him up….he showed his jiu jitsu against lutter….and as him not making weight….he knew with way than enough time that he was fightinf 4 the title….also the fact that the nogueira brothers are his jiu jitsu instructers….anderson is not going to lose for a very long time

i’d like to see rich fight marquardt, that would be a great fight…if not marquardt than mcfedries or maybe even terry martin, some kind of striker that would stand with him and give rich an opportunity for a highlight reel ko and a chance to gain back a little bit of confidence and credibility…

“Rich is the man and he can beat silva he just needs more work and maybe needs to look to just take on the ground he can’t winning fighting with punches from the outside ”

If Rich can’t beat Silva the second time,He’ll never beat him!.They could fight hundreds of times and, Silva will still smash his knee through Rich’s face. Silva has Rich’s number, I think another skilled grappler will beat Silva, I am thinking Hendo but, I think anderson will stay on top for a while He a very skillful fighter, muay thai is sharp!

every time people say that somebody is invincible…they get beat though. EVERYBODY is beatable…they just havnt found the right guy yet. i say get hendo to drop down because he has the best chance against silva right now. he can wrestle which i didnt think silva could, considering that travis lutter took him down at will, until the marquardt fight. he’s just like st. pierre was when he got his title, everybody thought it was impossible. we’ll see what happens, who should get the title shot next? any thoughts?

I admire Rich as a fighter he is very honorable,has a warrior spirit! but, don’t think he should fight silva again.I think Silva has his number, he needs move to another weight division.

Okami maybe ,but his contract is expiring and, i don’t think dana is impressed with him.I guess we will have to see.

It’s got to be very frustrating for Rich to be where he’s at. He can’t beat Silva and working his way back up will take sometime, as it should. I think the 185 division wasn’t solid until now. Not knocking who Rich took out before Silva, but lets face it. No one was a real threat. They will have to bring in Filho and work on getting Cung Le. Rich should consider amove to 205 with all the crazyness in that weight class.

Dana must push for Hendo to fight Silva

[quote comment="188832"][quote comment="188775"]I have said it time and time again what is the deal with these fighters not knowing what the hell to do against the clinch. He got his ass tore up from the clinch again and he has no answer for it. He needs to learn how to use it and how to defend it cuz that is the only way anyone will beat him. Give him a taste of his own medicine![/quote]

A well-executed thai clinch is nasty, dude. It’s difficult to get out of and damage comes very quickly and savagely. I thought Franklin did a pretty decent job of getting out of some of them and defending the others even if it forced him to take some knees to the legs. If I recall correctly, only a couple of clinches did most of the damage.

But that’s how they go. When a good muay thai practitioner has you in a solid clinch, it’s pretty frustrating. And you know the next few seconds are going to hurt.

Also, it’s difficult to use the clinch very well like Silva does. It takes time to learn and some guys never get it because in an odd way, it requires a lot of finesse as well as strength. A lot of guys tighten their necks then quickly drop their heads to slip out but that’s dangerous. I personally like the elbow straight down on the bicep defense but if you don’t do it immediately, you will take a knee to the ribs on your exposed side.

Like I said, thai clinches are nasty.[/quote]
Yeah he did a pretty decent job getting knocked out. There is a lot of truth in what you are saying but think about this. Shogun has one of the most dangerous thai clinches in mma, Rampage will tell you that. Forrest Griffin seemed to know what to do against the guy. Some people get it and some people just don’t and it’s pretty obdvious that Rich just does not.

[quote comment="188914"]i’d like to see rich fight marquardt, that would be a great fight…if not marquardt than mcfedries or maybe even terry martin, some kind of striker that would stand with him and give rich an opportunity for a highlight reel ko and a chance to gain back a little bit of confidence and credibility…[/quote]

Yeah i agree, i also think Franklin wouldn’t last at 205, he would win until Machida Franklin 2, The boy out the Back house are something else, Franklin vs Marquardt would be awesome

[quote comment="188807"]Good points about Gurgel – complete tool

Matt Hughes could take Anderson

The Oracle has spoken[/quote]

Matt hughes wont get past serra, the guy crumbles when he gets hit, I never like hughes, but after watching tuf6 i hate the man, i want him to fight silva so he take a brutal painful beating, god i hate that guy! Matt hughes is a joke he is washed up, he cant hang with the top 170 anymore, but i never liked him i always though he was a cocky prick, and its a disgrace when that belts around his waste.

[quote comment="188764"]He needs to dump that spare Gurgel as his trainer. The only reason he still gets UFC fights is because he is so firmly attached to Rich’s nuts. He only has one win, and that was against Danny Abbadi, quite possibly the worst fighter ever to be called a professional, and that went to a freaking decision. All Gurgel can do is exactly what he did on Saturday, which is to show Rich how to get his face smashed in. Rich is a great fighter and will always be one of my favorites. He deserves better than what he’s getting from Gurgel.[/quote]

EXACTLY… time for a change, if Rich wants just bring Jorge along like he would his dog… keep him around as a pet.. hell Jorge can benefit from Rich’s new trainers. Rich REALLY needs to focus on WRESTLING OFFENSIVE TAKEDOWNS (much like GSP has)…. this is where he can make the most gains… 2yrs of practice and he’ll be doing just fine. However, Rich has never taken a punch all as well as many tough UFC fighters, I don’t think that part is possible to fix.

[quote comment="188914"]i’d like to see rich fight marquardt, that would be a great fight…if not marquardt than mcfedries or maybe even terry martin, some kind of striker that would stand with him and give rich an opportunity for a highlight reel ko and a chance to gain back a little bit of confidence and credibility…[/quote]

That sounds like a pretty good fight but also want to see Rich fight Kaumpfmann(or however you spell it) I think it would make for an exciting fight. Lutter might be an okay fight too.

i just think from rich being an extremely strong middlewieght that it would be a nice but not easy transition to LHW and i think he could beat a lot of guys and that would get his confidence up to fight some of the better opponents

Rich is a will be a laughfing stock if he goes up to LHW Division.  he won’t last.

Let’s be honest… Rich is 20-something and 3. He may not be on top of the division but he still commands respect. Everybody has their kryptonite. Look at Chuck.

I think Rich would be a serious threat at 205.

I don’t know why everyone expects these guys to retire after they suffer a bad defeat. They were saying the same thing about Chuck too, granted Chuck is older. Franklin can still make a lot of money in this sport. Plus, he won’t have to get destroyed by Silva anytime soon. He’s got it pretty good if you ask me.

Im glad Rich still wants to fight. I knew he would lose, and I knew he would still fight.
Dudes got HEART!!

[quote comment="188857"]Rich is the man and he can beat silva he just needs more work and maybe needs to look to just take on the ground he can’t winning fighting with punches from the outside[/quote]

I have to seriously disagree with you. Did you watch either one of the fights? Rich has my respect and is one of the great MMA fighters today, but did you see the look of bewilderment in his eyes in the clinch? In both fights Silva had Rich looking like a deer staring into headlights. It was just a matter of time before Franklin went down after that devastating punch late in the first round.
Silva looks unstoppable in the MW Division at this point.

[quote comment="189509"]I think Rich would be a serious threat at 205.[/quote]

Rich would be a smaller LW definitly not a serious threat in that division. The pool of talent there would be a serious threat to Franklins health.

Franklin Quarry II now that is what I would pay for.

[quote post="3658"]Franklin Quarry II now that is what I would pay for[/quote]
word

Franklin’s stock has dropped, stick a fork in him he’s done. (Unless) He starts to power lift (weights) to get ruffer. He has to be the bully in the cage, the same way Holifield handled Tyson. Speed run on a treadmill to improve foot speed. When training for your future fights don’t overtrain, train to peak for fighttime. Quicken your reflexes, spend more time on the headach bag. When you spar (Boxing) change to a fresh sparring partner every 1/minute, they must try to knock you out. Add this to your training, an you’ll be back on top.

People can blame this loss on Gurgel all they want, but let’s be honest people … Gurgel is NOT his Muay Thai instructor! Why isn’t anyone throwing the blame in that direction? I mean, he has had the same trainers for a long time. His Muay Thai trainer was there with him the night he lost his first fight to Silva, and he was there again this time. I will agree 100% that Gurgel has not shown his best performances in the UFC, he is definitely capable of more. But had that fight gone to the ground, and had that been where Rich lost the fight, then Gurgel could have been to blame.

Silva is a badass fighter, and I think that he is a very bad match for Franklin!