Rich Franklin is one of the most recognizable faces in the history of mixed martial arts and a guy that to this day, remains one of the UFC’s most beloved former champions.
The day may come where “Ace” get serious consideration to be inducted into the UFC Hall-of-Fame, mainly due to his sixteen month reign as middleweight champion from 2005-2006, but for now that can wait.
At the age of 35 he has yet to show any visible signs of slowing down, however there is officially light at the end of the tunnel. He has now gone past the nine year mark in his storied professional career.
The ultimate goal is to eventually regain his titleholder status that was taken away from him by Anderson Silva at UFC 64 before he is forced to someday hang up his gloves for good.
The next step in his trek back to the pinnacle is a match up with former PRIDE middleweight champion Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva.
The two will tussle at a catchweight of 195-pounds in the main event at UFC 99 in Cologne, Germany on June 13.
This is a bout that many fans have been dying to see for some time now and one that is likely to produce fireworks in the form of a good old-fashioned slugfest.
Franklin took some time out of his busy schedule to talk Lyoto Machida, why he believes he beat Dan Henderson, his preparations for Wanderlei Silva including training with Anderson Silva and when he anticipates his career coming to a close.
Have a look:
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): I want to start with UFC 98. Lyoto Machida dominated Rashad Evans to take home the light heavyweight belt. Did you get a chance to watch the fight? What did you think of Machida’s performance?
Rich Franklin: I didn’t watch the fight. I rarely watch fights when I am preparing for a fight myself, unless I am watching video of my opponent. I will watch that UFC after my fight.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Machida’s a guy you fought back in 2003 in Japan. What do you remember about that fight?
Rich Franklin: I remember Machida being very elusive and much better than we had anticipated. At the time I fought him he only had three fights. I knew he would eventually find himself in the kind of situation he is in today.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Would you like the opportunity for a rematch against him at some point?
Rich Franklin: I would like to make a run for the 205-pound title. If he is in my path to achieving my goal I would be interested. Otherwise, I need to stay focused on what’s important.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): In your last fight at UFC 93 you lost a split decision to Dan Henderson. Before the judges scorecards were announced did you think you had done enough to win that fight?
Rich Franklin: I believe I won that fight. I dominated the stand-up war, and Henderson was unable to mount any damage while he had me down, let alone even keep me down most of the time. The only damage he did to me in that fight was an accidental eye poke and head butt.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Did the accidental head butt or the eye poke you sustained from Henderson in any way hinder your ability to be successful in that fight?
Rich Franklin: No, the head butt was more blood and the judges saw that and the eye poke was the last 30-45 seconds. I should have not been in that situation.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): So how big of an impact did they actually have?
Rich Franklin: None really.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Were you excited about the possibility to be a coach on The Ultimate Fighter season nine or were you less than thrilled about putting your career on hold and taking the time out to shoot the show?
Rich Franklin: I had the opportunity to coach the show before, so it was not such a big deal to me. I didn’t want to give up the time away from my family a second time to be honest.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): You’re now set to face Wanderlei Silva at UFC 99 in Germany. How has training camp been going? Where has it been taking place? Who are some of the coaches and fighters helping get you prepared for your upcoming fight?
Rich Franklin: I started my training camp at home in Cincinnati for almost two weeks. From there I went to Los Angeles to train with Anderson (Silva) for two weeks, followed by two weeks in Seattle. I returned home for my final two weeks of preparation before leaving for Germany.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): What was the experience of training with Anderson Silva like for you? Who approached who as far as setting that up? What was the motivation behind setting up that connection?
Rich Franklin: The big story here seems to be me training with Anderson for this fight. We have spoken several times about training together in the past, but schedules have been conflicting.
Anderson’s manager, Ed Soares, gave me a call inviting me to train in LA for this fight. They figured it would be helpful since Anderson and Wanderlei used to be teammates. I checked with my coaches Neal Rowe, Rob Radford and Matt Hume, and they all agreed it was a good idea.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Going back to Wanderlei, are you preparing for the former PRIDE middleweight champion or the guy that has lost four of his last five fights?
Rich Franklin: Despite his recent record, Wanderlei is still a dangerous fighter!
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): What is your game plan for attacking Wanderlei? What is his biggest weakness in your opinion?
Rich Franklin: I hope to be able to take advantage of the fact that I am finally fighting someone who may want to stand with me, unlike all the wrestlers I have recently fought. Game plan: Throw punches!
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Moving forward, are you going to continue to go back and forth between 185 and 205?
Rich Franklin: I plan on staying at 205. That is why this fight is negotiated at a catchweight rather than 185.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Are there any other fighters out there you have seen from a distance and would love to fight and match your skills up against?
Rich Franklin: I got one guy on my mind right now: Wanderlei!
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): How much longer do you want to fight? How many fights do you have left on your current contract?
Rich Franklin: I have two fights left on my contract. I always pictured myself retiring at the age of 36 or 37. I figure the UFC will negotiate one more contract with me, and that may carry me to the end of my career.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Have you achieved everything in the fight game you have set out to accomplish in your career?
Rich Franklin: No. If I had accomplished everything I wanted I would have no more reason to compete.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Can we expect to see you fighting for another belt before the end of your career?
Rich Franklin: I would love to capture the 205-pound title before I retire.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Before we go, is there a message you would like to pass along to your fans out there or any sponsors you would like to thank?
Rich Franklin: I love the fans I meet at appearances and I hope they will go to AmericanFighter.com and see what’s up.
Derek Bolender is a staff writer for InsideFights.com and has also been featured on CBSSports.com, FoxSports.com, etc… Look for future articles from him on MMAmania.com.
78 Comments »
War Rich. I can’t wait for this fight. Fight of the year
Same here, that’s all I can say. WAR Jim Carrey!! Wanderei aint laughin’ in this one!
you know, Rich has always been a great fighter, a class act and a fierce competitor win or lose. That said, I’ve never been a fan. I can’t say why, it’s just my feelings. I truly hope wand destroys him so we get an exciting MW title fight (for once). Wand will pressure Anderson like no one has before, unfortunately, I see that being a negative. I see Anderson KO’ing Wand in round 1! This is coming from a fan of both with no bias towards on or the other. I’m sure it’s a good interview (I didn’t read it), this kid Dereck seems to do a good job!
Yeah! That’s a nice fight right there. It has detonation written all over it. OK I guess Wanderlei winning ain’t that bad, hehe! anderson-wanderlei has detonation written all over it.
hey kev..just relax man!! uhm!! wel i also see spider koing axe..but all it takes is one punch from axe…u have said it yourself..its all pressure..
yeah, but all it takes is one knee, punch or kick from Anderson too and he has about a 95% better chance at landing those shots..
sorry syd but we are on the opposite fence this time…
war axe…
Rich is pure class
I like Rich, and I’d like to see him vs the top guys at 205. After Wand, I’d like to see him vs Vera, Chuck, Forrest, Shogun, Rampage, then hopefully a title shot.
Seriously…you really care about Vera fighting at all, ever? That guys is about as entertaining as ducks on a pond.
RIght, he says he wants to see him fighting the TOP guys at 205 and begins his list with Brandon Vera, LOLOL
Why don’t they just re-sign Vernon Tiger White and have Rich fight him too.
LMFAO seriously? Vera? What a douche. lol
I want to see rich fight guys like:
Forrest
Banha Cane
Thiago Silva
Jardine
and YES even Vera (stylistically it would be entertaining)
Win or lose against Wanderlei, one of those fighters is the next appropriate step for Franklin
Maybe Vera AND Tiger White vs Rich then
I think you guys are being too hard on Vera. I’ve been critical of his performances lately as well, but I think the big weight cuts he was making really affected him. He looked kind of sickly against Andy and Jardine.
Vera is an excellent striker, and his speed and kicks could make for some exciting fights, especially against a gamer like Rich.
u guys hate vera but lov cane, wat the fuck cane has terrible coditioning an dhas been ok so far..
You guys are laughing at Vera but I bet any one of you wouldn’t land a cean punch in 5 mins and also get KTFO in the process if you were to fight him. John’s right, he’s a nice match stylistcally. It has detonation written all over it.
john to respond to ur matchup i reckon forrest would outwork Rich and gain UD, couldnt call it between rich and banha, rich would beat thiago, and rich would outwork JArdine and possbily Vera…but all great fights if they were to happen – would love to see Banha vs Rich!
I think Rich would take Forest, because Forest can’t hurt him badly with his strikes and Rich’s conditioning is probably even better than Forest’s.
^…clean punch…
I have always liked Vera, He is a top fighter and if it’s become popular to be a vera hater on this website then you can all suck my b*lls. After he finishes Hamill and maybe one more guy you will see the same dudes who are dissing him now singing his praises. It will be exactly like the Machida situation because these lowlife wishy washy “fans” change their favorite fighters like the wind changes direction. Slim473, Dragon and even Violentmike, I will be lmao in 6 months when you guys change your tune. “Fans” like you guys make me laugh, and throw up in my mouth at the same time.
I was saying that could be his road to a title shot, littered with great matchups along the way. If he won all of those, who would deny him a title shot?
I didn’t intend to say that Vera was a “top” 205 pounder, but he will for sure be in the mix soon. I dont get all the hate on him. Sure he hit a dry spell, but based on his most recent performance I think that spell is over.
I’ve never really thought of myself as a Vera fan, Vera is a pretty exciting fighter to me when hes in shape, and I would definitely watch any fight hes in. So I guess I am a fan.
JRE, I have been loving Machida since his 2nd UFC fight against David Heath.
As for Vera, ever since his UFC debut when he called out Chuck and said he would be the first ever simultaneous HW and LHW champ, after beating who, Fabiano Scherner???? (not looking up)
Trust me JRE, I am not a bandwagon jumper – you can ask the regs. HOWEVER, my opinions are often biased towards my favorites and against my least favorites.
Also JRE, I’d be willing to wager (if possible) that I have watched considerably more MMA than you. Next time, come correct if you want to call me out. MAN, I wish I saw your backhanded comment earlier.
PS Machdida will be champ for a looooong time and you will be crying because you are one of the few that STILL think he’s boring.
Rich Franklin = Future Light Heavyweight Champion!!!
you heard it here first. rich has all the tools. i think he can give anyone a run for there money. if he stays focused i think he can be a serious title contender, as long as silva doesnt move up to 205 permentantly lol.
I like Rich F. I think he’s a great representative of MMA and talented fighter that’s getting better. He has a couple of great yrs left and may even get a chance to fight for the 205 Title, however, he’s never going to win the LHW Belt.
I dunno about that. The only fights he lost was against A. Silva, and a split that should have went the other way to Hendo in my opinion. He definitely has the tools.
I agree with you on the Hendo fight, but as for having the tools to win the belt, Lyoto says otherwise.
And to a certain guy called the Dragon or something…Ah, Lyoto Machida is his name.
I can’t wait until Machida gets KO’d and all the undue nut hugging starts to die off
I know, OD.
I mean, all the guy’s done is go 15-0 while never losing a round. He just destroyed the undefeated champion who’d never been knocked out. What are people so impressed with?
Know what I can’t wait for? Machida embarrasing and destroying Shogun and Rampage. Then I won’t have to read any more of your negative and biased posts about one of the classiest and most dominant fighters the sport has ever seen.
You’re a great poster man, but just man up and admit you were wrong about Machida. Then you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy his fights.
The nut hugging is necessary. Lyoto has proven that every true MMA fans should be dangling from his nuts. The one’s that aren’t, are just made because Lyoto either defeated thier favorite fighter, or they still don’t understand that the objective of a fight is to inflict maximum damage while taking as little damage as possible. The only other knock on Machida that he went to decisions to often. Well, now that he is also strength training, he is KO’ing fools with a quickness.
Rich’s game really hasn’t advanced all that much over the years, he is basically the same fighter that improves a little bit, and occasionally doesn’t have a black eye before a fight. However, since they fought, Lyoto has improved 10 fold. They fought so long ago, that Machida wasn’t even studying the majority of the fighting styles that make up MMA.
If Machida is champ, Rich has NO chance at beating him. A decent striker with no wrestling skills will NEVER beat Lyoto. It will have to be someone with Forrest length monkey arms, Rampage 1 punch KO power on a lucky blow, or a solid wrestler than can attempt to dry hump him to a decision win.
Been huggin his nuts since April 21st 2007. That makes me a 2.25 year nut hugger and proud of it!!!!
Not from me I will still be swingin’ on those giant Brazilian balls. lol
Lol JJ, unfortunatley my negative posts about Machida probably aren’t going to stop; I gave the man his props, never said he couldn’t fight or wasn’t a good fighter; but I’m not on the wagon. Basically whoever he fights, unless I really really can’t stand the other guy, I’ll be rooting for the other guy.
WAR OTHER GUY!!
All I know is that I have been a fan for even longer than VM, so I been swinging from his sack for over 2.25 year nut.
Franklin can compete with anyone at LHW. I wont ever say that he doesnt belong in the cage with anyone at 205 lbs…but he wont ever win the title. Sorry, im just keeping it real.
He is very well rounded, but so is everyone else in the division. I still think he is tough enough to be a contender in a Main event fight.
Hahaha, fair enough pal.
I guess I’ll try to stomach them until you either come to your senses or are forced (by Machida cleaning out the division) to hop on the Lyoto War Wagon!
If it wasn’t for a guy named Anderson, Franklin would be best suited to 185 pounds. I agree with John, he will be a perennial contender at LHW but never the champ. He is good at everything but great at nothing.
Besides, how do you know the guys classy all he ever says is:
“I drink my urine”
“I have the warrior spirit of the Samurai”
“No one can defend my style”
might repackage that and word it differently but what else does he ever come up with??
He seems to really appreciate the fans and the sport and is always respectful to his opponents after he embarrasses them.
Plus he wears a gi and drinks Brazilian Mountain Dew, which should solidify his awesomeness in the eyes of all doubters.
Sorry to end your silly debate. Its obvious that Machida is GREAT. tHERE iTS SEttled! Sily Debate over!!
Speaking of greatness, I got some very interesting stats on Fedor the GOd:
If you look at the UFC over history, if you include the interim heavyweight champions, they’ve had 17 champions in total (hw division). Mr. Fedor Emelianenko has done eight fights against UFC champions, against five different opponents. If we exclude his fights against Mr. Nogueira, who was a formidable opponent in his time, Fedor spent less than 15 minutes in the ring with these UFC champions and defeated them all.
Fedor has basically shitted on the UFC heavyweight title and the men that wore it at 1 time or another
LOL, you’ve been reading the M-1 guy’s invitation to Dana and co, huh john?
It is an awesome statistic, but you might want to cite that quote or put it in quotations if it isn’t something you originally wrote.
I can’t wait for Fedor to come into the UFC so he can finally lose. Every single HW fighter in the UFC has a chance on beating him.
Even more than the guy who is fighting fedor next.
I think his name is Barnett.
Btw, they are FORMER Champions for a reason.
The competition is a lot tougher now.
Bleh, that wasn’t really a debate, just a little bashing on my part lol.
Natas: “I think his name is Barnett”
I’m hoping thats sarcasm; otherwise I can’t even take that opinion seriously
your right o dam, if that guy dosn’t even know who he is talking about he should not comment cause barnett would be at the top of the ufc if he where there.
Dana White on Cro Cop’s one-fight deal: “I’ve never done this with anybody ever.”
What about Royce Gracie? Is it just me or is Dana completely full of shit again.
what is up with you homo’s expessing that your a fan by saying you “swing on his nuts” or “hug his Nuts”? Seriously what is that? Are you guys really openly gay or is it like a closet case situation? Or are you really staight and you just like balls? I just enjoy the fights and yes I am a big fan of alot of fighters but wtf does that have to do with nuts? maybe your all trying to be cool or funny or to fit in but I just find it childish. Which is it John? Violent mike? wtf is your guys’ obsession with male genitalia? There are so many ways of supporting your fighters, you guys just always focus on scrotal contact. LOL
Dana’s always full ‘o shite..
what Dana said what that he had never made a one fight deal with someone over the phone, so maybe that’s the truth…
About Machida, he probably won’t lose a round until he gets knocked out or submitted…
Tito was pretty close to winning round 3 against him, if it had not been for that knee but then he came back with a triangle so it was still close..
JRE: Please get off the horse (cocaine or high horse, whichever you’d prefer); just cause your miserable w/o a sense of humour doesn’t mean everyone else has to be. Your post oozes insecurity. It’s a JOKE, get off it; no one here is going to get down on their knees and start sucking d!ck just cause of a catch phrase. And even if they did and that was their preference who gives a sh!t; are you that concerned with someone else’s orientation?
JJ: Dana is completely full of crap again!
Of course I didnt come up with that Stat myself JJ! When I try to quote other sites or post a link, Mania usually doesnt post it….so I avoid doing it, especially since I bet anything that Mania will make a thread about it with in the next couple of days!
Yea Dana won’t do a 1 fight deal with Fedor though, LOL. I think he figured Royce had no chance of winning, so no risk involved, and then with Cro Cop if he loses Dana can cut him and if he wins then Dana can take it from there. Waiting for a reporter to jump on this and ask Dana “Why are you willing to do a 1 fight deal with Cro Cop, but unwilling to do the same with Fedor??”
JRE, little kids like yourself like to call posters that like a particular fighter a “nut-hugger”. So instead of waiting for the immature comments to come, I figure if I refer to myself as one, the comments won’t come.
And what do you have against male genitals??? Were you molested as a child?
I am comfortable with my sexuality. Straight and married. How you doin?
Odamn: I have been thinkingt he same exact thing. One of these reporters gotta get the balls to ask him.
sorry bobby i love rich but there is no way in hell he is going to be champ at 205..let me have a list of fighter that he surely can never beat even for his lifetime…
rampage
shogun
he has a shot against forrest,thiago,banha,vera,dean,sugar and yes even machida…machida is dubbed as a technical striker for what? for knocking out a slugger chute box boy in thiago? and knocking out a wrestler striker wannabee with very short hands! that kangaroo handed airhead doesnt have a chance in hell with the way he is doing..
Man i forget how close most of the fighters we love are close to retiring…wandy,chuck,hendo, silva, crocop, franklin, hughes, serra, coleman, randleman,F. shamrock. I hope he cant capture his belt before he cant retire. Like any other fighter…they all want to have great fights and at least a UFC belt before they retire. This is one of these fights that ive been wanting to see and hating for it to happen for a long time lol. I love both of these guys as fighters and as people. Wandy needs the win badly but if he loses its not as bad as losing while trying to rank. its a catchweight so it really shouldn’t affect their careers. Germany will know what it mean when you say…super brawls.
This will be a great fight! I expect to see Franklin win with a TKO. Good interview but it was too short!
Neither Franklin or Wandy can afford another loss. This makes for an exciting, interesting fight. Good interview but I wanted to know more about Franklin’s training with A Silva. I’d be very curious about how it was for Franklin sparring and training every day with a guy that handed him 2 lop-sided defeats? Did the experience convince Franklin at all that he could physically compete with A Silva, or did he get man-handled every day? Either way, I’ll be curious Saturday to see if Franklin has added anything new to his game.
How can rich not afford a loss??? he just lost a decision to Hendo that some say should have gone his way ( i have not seen that fight) prior to that he is undefeated for like his whole career except for anderson silva and machida.
He lost to Hendo, and never have a win over top fighters…just look at his record,
Wand TKO 1Rnd
CL, Rich is infamous for coming to his fights with a black eye.
If he comes to this fight with a mangled nose, we can guess how the sparring with Anderson went.
Okay, but still, do you think he gets his contract scrapped for losing a catch weight fight to Wandy. Its not exactly a do or die situation for rich is what I’m saying. Of course no one ever wants a loss.
Nice Mike.
Rich is 35. A loss to Wandy would mean he’d need a minimum of 2-3 wins vs top level guys to even be mentioned as a possibility for a title shot. Bare in mind Rich is a former champ. I’m quite certain his idea of success at this stage of his career means nothing less than being in the hunt for a title. This is why I believe he cannot afford losing to Wandy, not because his contract is in jeopardy or anything like that. Wandy’s situation is very similar. These guys are used to the lofty heights of the sport. Being aging gate-keeper types with UFC contracts will not work for either of them…trust me.
I have so much respect for both, I just can’t flat out pick one or the other. At this point I think the chances are 55/45 in Franklin’s favor but who knows. Its going to be a great fight for sure!! The fan can’t lose with this one.
WAR BOTH!!!!!!!!!!!
Wanderlei needs this win bad or his career is basically over. They might bring him back for another fight or two, but what’s the point??? If he keeps getting knocked out brutally like his last couple losses I don’t wanna see him fight anymore
I dunno about that. He killed Jardine. Not many can say they did that.
Franklin will win this one by a violent KO in the 1st.
Rich hasn’t won a fight in the first rd since Nate Quarry about 4 years ago; good luck with that prediction.
Wanderlei by total destruction
WAR SILVA!!
I am very inrigued by the fact that he doesnt even watch UFC events while he is in training camp!
I think maybe his lying, I mean a championchip match in your own division and dont even look at it…
Thats believable; most these guys are religious about “not looking past” whoever their fighting next. Makes sense that he wouldn’t want to divide any of his attention.
I wish he went into training with Anderson more. Rich seems like a great guy and it’s tough to root against him. With that being said; WAR: Wandy
Sorry guys but this fight will end uo like jardine´s fight
highly unlikely! but then again im gona be optimistic and say Rich via KO nate quarry style!
hope wandy wins although im a major franklin fan and not really a wandy fan i wanna see wandy vs anderson more than i wana see franklin fight non title fights at LHW! i think his time as a big name in the sport has passed and couldnt see him ever getting the LHW belt b4 he retires.
plus altho i see a chris leben style KO for Wandy waiting for him at anderson’s capable hands – the build up would be immense!
a draw would be ideal tho cus then both fighters would get what they want – wandy would move closer to a title shot and Rich would face stiffer competition at 205 earlier rather than later!
I think Rich is definitely gonna win, but I also think, without a doubt, that Wanderlei will definitely win, as long as he punches Rich in the face more than Rich punches him in the face. I think Rich has a better chance of punching Wanderlei, but chances are Wanderlei will try not to let him do it. I’m off to make some more brownies.
Any news on the setanta front?? Im so nervous that my ufc is gony stop!! Has Dana came out and said anything?? Maybe the ufc should start their own channel under a major corporation like sky!! It could be added similiar to that of a football channel on the network if sky dont want to put it on their 3 main sports channels, though i cant understand why they wouldnt???!!!!
id happily pay extra just to get my ufc, its all i like to do other than soccer!!!! Come on setanta sort this out!!!
This is just a great card, wish the british cards could get something like this, atleast our media dont trry and get the event cancelled!!!
I think Rich is gonna take this one, unless Wandy beats him.
i like rich, but i think silva will catch him for a quick knockout. wandy’s credibility is falling and it sucks. I want to see wandy sautomize(spelling?)anderson and get back on top.