When former light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell was forced off the UFC 85 card with a hamstring injury, the organization scrambled to find a main event-worthy bout to take the place of his scheduled showdown with Rashad Evans at the O2 Arena in London, England.
Several possible fights were discussed, including a middleweight tilt between former UFC middleweight champion, Rich Franklin, and former Pride FC dual division belt holder, Dan Henderson.
In fact, according to a Yahoo!Sports.com report, “Ace” had to turn down the opportunity because he “felt after such a hard training camp that he wouldn’t be able to peak again so soon.” Franklin just dispatched of Travis Lutter via second round technical knockout at UFC 83: “Serra vs. St. Pierre 2″ on April 19.
The interesting thing here is that even though the fight won’t take place on June 7, it is expected to go down later on this year.
That’s a fantastic match up — Franklin is proving that he is perhaps the second best 185-pound fighter in the world, defeating all comers since 2003 with the exception of Anderson Silva (lost twice).
On the other hand, Hendo needs to re-establish himself as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters on the planet. He’s lost two straight albeit to talented champions Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Silva.
And it wouldn’t get any easier with Franklin, but it would create some fireworks in a division that sorely needs them. It’s a nice clash of styles between two of the best in the sport.
This is going to be a hard one to predict if and when it goes off. Can’t wait.
Sidenote: Matt Hughes stepped up to take on Thiago Alves in the UFC 85 main event, as well as Michael Bisping and Chris Leben … not to mention James Irvin (he’ll take on Evans).
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2nd
I broke this story yesterday. Where’s my props??? LOL
Yesterday’s post: Didn’t have any time to come to the site today since I need to get a new hard drive today….
But I had heard some news regarding the London PPV. Hughes and Alvez is the main event of course. But do you know what the other options were? The top two options were GSP vs Fitch, but GSP feels that he injured his hand against Serra and wants to heal. The other fight was Henderson vs Franklin. But they decided that they did not want to rush such a BIG fight. But the UFC said that they do plan on having BOTH of these fights take place some time this year.
That is all according to Dave Meltzer.
So I believe that Hendo/Franklin is in the beginning stages. They just need to figure out when and where they want to stage this blockbuster.
Tomorrow morning I’m hoping to be all over the site during the AM. But the way this week is going, you may not see my at all…..
Just so you know, I was kidding about ‘my props’…
QUESTION: What part of Rich’s game is stonger than Hendo’s? That is very hard to think of. The only thing that I can think of is perhaps Franlin has slightly better standup since he’s a little more refined.
Maybe I would give Rich the edge in the stand up. But I honestly think Hendo could punch Rich’s head off.
Hendo’s chin can hold up against Franklin’s bombs, but I doubt Rich’s chin will hold up after Hendo’s left hook, or his Nasty right cross.
How do you want it Rich? YOu can have the “Left Hooker” or the Right “Cross Dresser”…Either way Rich gets KTFO!!!!Lol!!!
I think Rich’s technical striking (punching and kicking) will be better than Henderson’s, while Henderson has the KO power that Rich lacks. I think Rich’s cardio will be better, although I don’t know that it will really come into play in a 3-round fight. And while Henderson is definitely the superior wrestler, Rich has excellent BJJ. My initial thoughts — Rich outworks Henderson on the feet to take a 29-28 decision. This fight should settle once and for all the ongoing debate about who is really the second-best MW in the UFC.
Rich will get KTFO, lol.
for real man, but I still like him and think he’s good fighter.
I personally do not want this fight to happen, I think Dan would destroy rich in the octogon and in the process destroy his confidence to want to fight again, by rich knowing that he is not able to win against the elite. And I like rich franklin and would like to see him fight again.
I would like to see dan go back up to lhw to fight and beat top 5 opponents like lidell, or machida or rashad. Then rematch quinton if he still has the belt. and everyone knows dan would much rather fight at 205 anyways so I dont think hes all that excited about the prospect of facing franklin.
Dan is on the last leg of his career he needs to make a final press to cement his legacy as one of the greatest fighters ever.
If everything works out well for him he could recapture the lhw belt and drop back down to rematch silva as the fight of the decade to become the first fighter in ufc history to hold two belts at the same time which would also garentee him a spot in the ufc hall of fame as well
first things first he needs to win his next fight regardless of who it is because like someone said going 0-3 will result in being released and no matter what other success he may have in any other organization he will be the guy who couldnt win in the ufc like mirko
I don’t think Franklin has anything on Hendo. The only department that he matches up or may slightly edge Hendo is in the cardio…
I love rich franklin to death, but I think henderson is going to win this one, if it does happen.
i hope these guys fight, and i hope Hendo wins just so he doesnt lose 3 straight and lose his marketing value cause this guy is a monster! saw him on “king of queens” yesterday and he really kicked some ass!
Hendo would win. Rich is a great fighter and an even better person but there is no way that Rich can beat someone that went five rounds with Rampage. I like both Hendo and Rich and wouldn’t care who won either way. I just don’t see Rich beating Hendo. Hendo is a great wrestler and has an iron chin. The only way Dan can be beat is to get submitted IMO.
I agree, I just can’t see dan loosing to rich. I think rich will be the underdog going into the fight as well, but I wouldn’t be surprised if rich pulls out a victory either.
This might be a perfect fight for UFC 87 in Minnesota.
This is where we will see Frankiln’s ground game exposed. Hendo will take him down and maul him like he did to Silva the first round, but Franklin doesn’t have Silva’s Jiu Jitsu, so I see Hendo GNP TKO
Exposed like when he escaped Lutter’s crazy ass armbar or he escaped Shamrock’s ankle sub? LOL
that sounds about right. Poor Franklin. Where will he go next?
Rich did not look like the Rich of old at 83. He didn’t have that hunger in his eyes and his body language spoke for him. Also he looked a little gassed which is not Rich. His cardio is usually top notch. I dunno what to say. Hendo in 2 tko.
Will UFC be making a Silver coloured belt for this fight so that the 2nd best middleweights have something to fight for whilst Anderson Silva stays in this division?
UFC 88: Franklin V Henderson – Not Quite Good Enough
I would like to see Hendo get another shot at Silva. Those guys are 1 & 1a if you ask me. If they fight 10 times, it would probably 5 to 5.
Silva’s an animal and he deserves all the recognition he’s getting, but let’s not act like Hendo wouldn’t have a chance of beating him.
Hendo needs to win this one, if not UFC will cut his contract too
I disagree. If it was any regular fighter, Dana would bounce them in a heartbeat if they lost 3 in a row. Dana loves Hendo and knows he has been fighting the absolute best guys the UFC has to offer. I don’t think he would terminate the contract.
I also don’t think we’ll ever know. I don’t think he’ll lose 3 in a row.
I know Rich is talented, but he seems to have a knack for turning fights down or having excuses not to fight. Remember the interview where he said he wanted to spend holidays with family, now he won’t be able to peak 2 months later. I can see if he was in some type of war or something, but he barely broke a sweat against Lutter!
Not good news for Bisping as I see Henderson demolishing Franklin. I just Hope Silva kills Hendo again and Bisping goes through someone like Okami instead of The winner of this fight. (yes he has to get through Leben first)
That’s not fair, Kevin. Franklin is nearing the end of his career and he knows that most people will not want to see Franklin v. Silva III. Therefore, he is picking his spots with his last few fights.
Unfortunatley, I think Hendo is too much of a bull for Franklin to handle. Hendo by TKO.
Life isn’t fair my friend, but I know what you mean. I haven’t been to work in 6 weeks and going on 7 and I’ve still made 10k..so what’s the point of going right? by the way that 10k is take home. So I guess everyone picks when to work. LOL
Damn. If your company is hiring I will send you my resume.
LOL
Great fight, if Hendo lost, he would most likely leave the UFC. I’m sure he has a clause in his contract, and with the purging of fighters, Dana would let him go if he went to 0-3 in the Octagon. I feel that Franklin is in a lose lose situation. I believe that he could win this fight but he has no place to go afterwards. Fighting Silva again makes no sense, so unless the Spider loses, or relinquishes his title, Franklin is stuck. The UFC is really trying to bolster the appeal of the Middleweight division. Maybe they could put their differences with Lindland behind them and bring him back. I dont feel that his age will factor because he still competes at such a high level. In addition maybe they could lure the Middleweight Grand Prix winner in for a bout with the Spider(Not gonna happen, but a hope),, that is unless he decided to box(ugh).
Henderson will destroy Franklin! His clinch is just as good as Anderson Silva’s if not better. He hits like a ton of bricks and he will use his wrestling skills to drop and dominate Rich on the ground. I see Frankling getting hurt very bad if this matchup comes to pass!
that is a bold statement my friend. Silva’s clinch may be the best in the game, inside or outside the octagon. Very bold
Awesome! This fight will be great, but I give the win to Hendo. Franklin has more techincal stand up, but Hendo has a chin like not too many other people in MMA, and he can KO the best of them. Hell, I think Hendo beats Anderson as long as he can avoid the submission. But yeah, Franklin clearly doesn’t have the chin like Hendo, and I think he would end up being KO’d.
Hendo by a sad knockout of Franklin.
If it happens what does the winner get?
These 2 are defo the 2nd/3rd best in this division but are you tryin to tell me that if Hendo wins he deserves a 3rd title shot in 4 UFC fights?
I fink they should give a fight or 2 to Hendo before this then have it as maybe a contender match up
To people thinking Hendo will be cut..
Who’s the last fighter you saw who got 3 title shots in a row?
He is a warrior and one of the best, the UFC would be really stupid to let him go back to Japan.
totally agree. losing to rampage and silva only means to me that he isnt afraid to fight the best unlike some other fighters i wont name right now. hendo is still top 5 all around in my books. UFC would be really stupid in letting go one of the best in the world.
Agreed, like I said above….I don’t see any way Dana would cut Hendo. This is a fighter he really likes and respects. He also needs him at MW right now.
If Hendo wins he definitely deserves 3 title shots in 4 fights. He held both Pride belts coming into the UFC (only man to do so) and the two UFC champs were both former Pride fighters. If he beats Rich he is clearly the 2nd best fighter at 185, so why not give him a second chance immediately after the Franklin fight.
Is there a chance Franklin-Hendo could go down in Cincinnati? UFC 88 or 89? Even though he’s lost in Ohio twice, he’s still a huge draw? I’m hoping for it anyway.
Should be a classic!! I figure a Sept or Oct main event. Sad thing is, where will the winner go..they both got beat by Silva..I’m certain Hendo would like another crack at Silva, and can take him again…but for the meantime, Franklin is a good match up and no pushover. Still, there is no one in the MW div that can take Silva out, or even in his league…except for Hendo vs Silva II, but that won’t be until next year.
They should give Hendo someone other than Franklin/Okami for now, the guys needs to string a couple wins
Give him Herman or Macdonald, 3 losses would be devastating.
Wow, what a powerhouse fight!
Both guys are incredible fighters. I would probably pull for HENDO on this one. He needs a win more than FRANKLIN coming off those 2 losses.
Can’t wait for this one!
Man cant Henderson get an easier fight! Not an easy fight but come on. Who wants to see him possibly 0-3 in UFC. Besides they cant have all their good fighters fighting to their competion when they loose. If Henderson loses again who does he fight? Liddell? Seriously. I like Bisping, but he’s not top tier yet, thats the level Henderson should fight next. Get a win, confidence and better than that, he wont go 0-3 or worse. Sometimes I dont get Joe Silva. He may not be the greatest fighter but Kongo should have had a shot for the belt and then they booked Herring and Herring beat him. Now really who’s the contender in the HW division. Same with Karo, these guys string together some wins all for not. Now if Fitch loses and Alves loses to Hughes ( and I think thats the odds) is it Hughes/GSP 4? Honestly! Give the good fighters Title shots and let them fight easier guys when they lose.
lol… good points. some guys are getting jacked while others are getting special treatment. I’ll be pissed if Florian gets another title shot after beating Huerta. That division is too deep to be stalling the other guys.
hendo takes this one…
franklin by tko rnd 1. not likely i know but hope he can pull the upset.
Yes Sign that fight =) for both fighters an awesome fight to establish themselves (maybe a bit more for hendo then franklin) but yes sign sign sign !
I see it being more of a war then you all are describing, but the eventual outcome the same, Hendo wins.
Whether Franklin wins or loses he should go to Lightheavy Weight. He can mix it up with some awesome fighters and it’s not like he’s not big enough. Whether he wins some or loses some, he should just fight good guys where he has somewhere to go. Silva/Franklin III isn’t likely to happen for a while, if ever.
Franklin seems like a nice guy but I was not impressed by his fight with Lutter. He got dominated the first round and basically won because Lutter gassed out. Therefore he has better cardio but not as much skill.
(Even Lutter put up a better fight against Silva then Franklin did).
Hendo will take this one.
beautiful
Yeah I agree DrHarry.
I also agree Hendo will probably win but Rich Franklin can beat him. People say he’s reaching the end of his career when he’s only 33. I would hate to think so.
But whether he beats Hendo or not, I reckon he should go against the Lightheavies.
lol , rich denied the chance to fight hendo if you read the blog post , he said he was not ready to fight so soon after a strong and long hard training camp for lutter bout. he’s such a pussy
Well it’s always good to see fighters accept as many fights as they can but if they don’t, then so be it.
Besides, he may have to work on some of his game, as everyone has noticed he seemed to gas slightly against Lutter, and considering Lutter was completely spent Rich should have smashed him to the ground and finished him in a little more style with more efficiency.
He won, which was good, but against Hendo he’ll need to be much better of course.
Franklin by a brutal TKO in 1st round!!
THESE ARE MY TWO FAVORITE UFC MW FIGHTERS AND I WOULDNT WANT TO BET AGAINST EITHER OF THEM!!!!!!!!
Dan henderson by a first round knock out. Franklin does not have a strong enough chin to match hendos power.