Wand vs. Franklin

[DueceDiggla]

Most of the people over at Sherdog seem to think Franklin is going to finish Wand with a KO or TKO. I don't see this happening at all. Wand has been KO'd by studs and Franklin doesn't have KO power.

I think it's the other way around. Franklin has the weak chin and Wand has the KO power.

I think Wand takes this by brutal KO.You?

[Pappy Knuckles]

Re: Wand vs. Franklin

That's a pretty sweet matchup. I don't really think it's fair to say that Franklin has a weak chin. This is pretty much a pick em to me, but I'd probably roll with Rich to take it.

[boxboy99]

Re: Wand vs. Franklin

After thinking for a big, I think Franklin probably does have the advantage. Really other than Anderson, which I got to see live the second time, who else has stopped Franklin. Hendo didn't finish him, and without looking I think Machida was his only other lose, never seen that fight, but I didn't think he was KO'd. I know the clinch may be Franklin's weakness, and Vandy has a good clinch game, but I don't think it will cause the issues that Anderson persents from the clinch. Franklin's game is based on perfect attack angles. Where I can see Vandy getting in trouble is because his brawling style may get him caught by Franklin's ability to take advantge of angles.

I think Vandy needs to test Rich in the clinch early and attack with knees. I see some of the fighters coming from Japan having issues in the UFC and think some of the reason is in Japan they were not testing for the Juice. Look at Vandy when he was dominate, he was a monster. Then he comes to the States for Pride 33 and gets KTFO by Hendo. Anyways I like Rich and Vandy...... all I can say is this should be a very good and interesting fight. I think I will actually be pulling for Vandy in this fight. Rich used to be a favorite of mine, but I really dislike some of his trainning partners and am not as supportive of him as I was in the past.

[MC Fatigue]

Re: Wand vs. Franklin

Honestly - as great as Silva was in Pride - he's done. Aside from the Jardine fight, he hasn't won a fight in 2 1/2 years. Like Liddell, he needs to step down and accept that he's no longer a relevant fighter capable of doing what he used to do.

[SHO]

Re: Wand vs. Franklin

Wand by rape choke.

[sven]

Re: Wand vs. Franklin

Ace by *** kicking!

[mgoblue]

Re: Wand vs. Franklin

I'll have to go with Franklin just with what I've personally seen. I know Silva has a great history and was amazing in Pride, I just haven't seen any of that myself. I've seen him beat Jardine and that's not that awesome an achievement. Everything else has been a kinda slower guy getting knocked around by everyone.

Silva really needs to impress in this fight or else people will think he's lost it ala Chuck.

[Thrash13]

Re: Wand vs. Franklin

and Franklin doesn't have KO power.

I take it you didn't see the Franklin/Quarry fight? Franklin is definitely capable of knocking people out, he is just a very strategic guy. He never gets in a hurry, and that will benefit him greatly against Wandy. I just wish Rich would show the world his ground skills because he has them. He just likes to stand up with guys, and that was his major downfall against Anderson Silva.

I'm looking forward to this fight more than any other right now, and it could honestly go either way. That being said, the guy above was right about Silva being done. I think Franklin outpoints him and wins a decision. He might get the TKO, but the decision is more likely.

On a side note, Machida finished Franklin by TKO. It was pretty brutal, but that was many years ago.

[youngkrz]

Re: Wand vs. Franklin

Wand all the way. Rich is on the bottom of the entire UFC light heavy. He's not gonna get better, and hes not that talented. Theres too many young and talented guys coming. If Franklin loses say "bye-bye" to his career

Then again if he gets a few wins in a fow(which wont happen) He might make a comeback

[allBthere]

Re: Wand vs. Franklin

I don't know at all. The only thing that pops in my mind is this; hasn't franklin had a big layoff? I could be wrong, but I don't remember hearing about him fighting in a good while. If that's the case, I'll give Silva some benefit of the doubt - I'm a bit out of the loop on this one though - I though Silva wanted to move down to middleweight no?

I think Franklin might have a nice reach advantage and keep him on the outside and decision it - but if Silva can bum rush him and go crazy on him like he did to Jardine (top tier guy) - sure, he might be able to knock Rich's arse out.

[sven]

Re: Wand vs. Franklin

If that's the case, I'll give Silva some benefit of the doubt - I'm a bit out of the loop on this one though - I though Silva wanted to move down to middleweight no?

This fight is at a catchweight to help Wand get used to the cut to 185. I think they are fighting at 195.

http://mmajunkie.com/news/14151/ufc-99-announced-rich-franklin-vs-wanderlei-silva-set-to-headline.mma

[DueceDiggla]

Re: Wand vs. Franklin

Wand all the way. Rich is on the bottom of the entire UFC light heavy. He's not gonna get better, and hes not that talented. Theres too many young and talented guys coming. If Franklin loses say "bye-bye" to his career

Then again if he gets a few wins in a fow(which wont happen) He might make a comeback

Are you serious?

[Scoop_Brady]

Re: Wand vs. Franklin

I don't know at all. The only thing that pops in my mind is this; hasn't franklin had a big layoff? I could be wrong, but I don't remember hearing about him fighting in a good while. If that's the case, I'll give Silva some benefit of the doubt - I'm a bit out of the loop on this one though - I though Silva wanted to move down to middleweight no?

I think Franklin might have a nice reach advantage and keep him on the outside and decision it - but if Silva can bum rush him and go crazy on him like he did to Jardine (top tier guy) - sure, he might be able to knock Rich's arse out.

January was UFC 93: Franklin vs. Henderson so it's only been 4 month since his last fight. I wouldn't call that a big layoff.

This is a fight I'm not that thrilled about. I like both guys and the loser of this fight is in trouble.

[mgoblue]

Re: Wand vs. Franklin

January was UFC 93: Franklin vs. Henderson so it's only been 4 month since his last fight. I wouldn't call that a big layoff.

This is a fight I'm not that thrilled about. I like both guys and the loser of this fight is in trouble.

I wouldn't think Franklin's anywhere near trouble compared to Silva. Wandy's lost quite a few lately. Franklin's only lost twice to Anderson Silva and once to Henderson, pretty respectable.

Granted Silva's lost to quality competition, but 4 out of his last 5 is pretty bad.

[allBthere]

Re: Wand vs. Franklin

January was UFC 93: Franklin vs. Henderson so it's only been 4 month since his last fight. I wouldn't call that a big layoff.

This is a fight I'm not that thrilled about. I like both guys and the loser of this fight is in trouble.

when is this fight supposed to happen?

what is Wand can thai clinch Franklin?

More than anything, I just think this is a great match-up which could make for a great fight. I don't think Franklin can flat out KO Wand especially in the first round, so he won't get rampaged imo. But either guy can win really.