UFC 99:FRANKLIN vs. SILVA

[kegray1]

UFC 99: Franklin vs. Silva
Date: Jun 13, 2009
Location: Cologne, Germany
Venue: Lanxess Arena
Broadcast: Pay per view (DSF in Germany)

MAIN CARD (televised)

* Rich Franklin vs. Wanderlei Silva
* Cheick Kongo vs. Cain Velasquez
* Ben Saunders vs. Mike Swick
* Marcus Davis vs. Dan Hardy
* Spencer Fisher vs. Caol Uno
* Mustapha al Turk vs. Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic

PRELIMINARY CARD (un-televised)

* Justin Buchholz vs. Terry Etim
* Dale Hartt vs. Denis Siver
* Peter Sobotta vs. Paul Taylor
* Roli Delgado vs. Paul Kelly
* Denis Stojnic vs. Stefan Struve
* John Hathaway vs. Rick Story

 

[kegray1]

Not alot of talk on hear about this one as of yet so I wanted to get the ball rolling.

I think Franklin is shot and Wanderlei finishes him.
Is that just me??

 

[crow]

I need to see Franklin's last bouts, but judging by his defeats to Silva, he's a B fighter at best and his chin never was there to begin with.

Wanderlei isn't far behind him, but shot vs shot, the axe murderer comes on top.

 

[layinwood]

Wow guys, Franklin shot?

He gave Hendo all Hendo wanted(i don't really think Hendo beat Franklin but he did more on the judges card). Besides that he's lost to Anderson S, there is absolutely no shame in that. I'm still not sure of who all can beat Anderson and I'm talking about in any weight class. Franklin has also lost to Machida, I'm pretty sure there's no shame there either.

For some reason I see Franklin taking this. Wandy is trying to change his style to fit the UFC, if it where old straight ahead and balls to the wall Wandy then I think he would easily win. I see Franklin picking him apart and more than likely going for a couple of takedowns that more than likely will get him the decision by the judges.

 

[Coach_K]

Wanderlei backers please come to my book and bet on him so you bring down the price of Franklin. I liked Franklin in this cout since the beginning and still do today. Wandy did look in great shape in Danas blog but I think Ace is just to good. I see Franklin as the same type of fighter as Wandy was, but now Wandy is beat up and only has a few more fights in him. His KO's were all bad and have to catch up with him, should be a good one, just wish Franklin was not -145.

Like Swick, Davis, Kongo, Franklin and Cael Uno in upset. Also like Cro Cop but those odds are obscure.

 

[kegray1]

Franklin did show more in the loss to Hendo than he did in the wins before.
I thought he looked flat and unmotivated in a win over Okami. The win over Hamill was nothing special to me as well.
I just don't think Franklin power is still there, but going 3 rounds with Hendo showed me his chin is still tough enough for this fight.
I put nothing into losses to Anderson because he just had no answer in either one of those fights.

Who knows with this one. Silva chin has been suspect and like Wanderlei said " Either Rich is gonna get knocked out or I am."

 

[kegray1]

Like Swick, Davis, Kongo, Franklin and Cael Uno in upset. Also like Cro Cop but those odds are obscure.

If you like Uno then you might as well take him to win by decision because nobody has ever submitted "The King" and Uno doesn't knock people out.
I think Spencer is too well rounded in this matchup and will be more active and get the decision.

As for the dog on the card, it may be and it hurts me to say it but Ben Saunders. I went to the same HS as Mike Swick and want to see him win,but Swick has not done enough to warrant such big odds from a gambling aspect.
And a sidenote on Swick, I am pretty sure Dana and/or Joe Silva aren't big fans of Swick as he never gets on any big PPV cards despite a 13-2 record. They deem him as boring.

And Cro "Crop" is -450.

Cro Crop is going to plow the fields with Al-Turk's face just for you Kick.

 

[The Sponge]

If you like Uno then you might as well take him to win by decision because nobody has ever submitted "The King" and Uno doesn't knock people out.
I think Spencer is too well rounded in this matchup and will be more active and get the decision.

As for the dog on the card, it may be and it hurts me to say it but Ben Saunders. I went to the same HS as Mike Swick and want to see him win,but Swick has not done enough to warrant such big odds from a gambling aspect.
And a sidenote on Swick, I am pretty sure Dana and/or Joe Silva aren't big fans of Swick as he never gets on any big PPV cards despite a 13-2 record. They deem him as boring.

And Cro "Crop" is -450.

Cro Crop is going to plow the fields with Al-Turk's face just for you Kick.

Kegray are u feeling well today? Swick boring? I think i saw him in one boring fight. Franklin is the one washed up? U nuts? i wouldn't touch Cro crop either cause i think he is washed up also. Al Turk the stiff is a stiff tho but to lay those odds is a bit troubling to me.

 

[The Sponge]

Wanderlei backers please come to my book and bet on him so you bring down the price of Franklin. I liked Franklin in this cout since the beginning and still do today. Wandy did look in great shape in Danas blog but I think Ace is just to good. I see Franklin as the same type of fighter as Wandy was, but now Wandy is beat up and only has a few more fights in him. His KO's were all bad and have to catch up with him, should be a good one, just wish Franklin was not -145.

Like Swick, Davis, Kongo, Franklin and Cael Uno in upset. Also like Cro Cop but those odds are obscure.

i feel the same way Coach. If Franklin can with stand the early Silva rush i think he picks him apart. Not a betting fight for me tho.

 

[kegray1]

Kegray are u feeling well today? Swick boring? I think i saw him in one boring fight. Franklin is the one washed up? U nuts? i wouldn't touch Cro crop either cause i think he is washed up also. Al Turk the stiff is a stiff tho but to lay those odds is a bit troubling to me.

I never said Swick was that boring,but what reason is there for this guy not getting any chances at real fighters??? Saunders,Goulet,Davis,Burkman. When is Swick going to get some respect from White/Silva. And Swick even said after his last fight that in his last 4 straight fights(all decisions) he could hear the rumblings of boo's and wanted that to change. I am a Swick fan and thought the Okami and Davis fights were boring as hell.

Franklin has not been Franklin of old(other than Hendo fight) since losses to Anderson. Just my opinion. Does he still have the hunger? Franklin used to have that killer mentality to finish you in the 1st. When was the last time he has done that?? Age is catching up to him like it or not and yes it has clearly caught up with Wandy as well.

And yes I would not touch Cro Cop with those odds. He has ZERO hunger these days.
I mean who would bet on a farmer from Croatia at -450, right Kick?:mj07:

 

[layinwood]

This just in, Franklin is a square bet. kurby

 

[kegray1]

This just in, Franklin is a square bet. kurby

I am going to need conformation from Weinerdog before I can believe that.:shrug:

 

[BUCSnotYUCKS]

No brainer here! I think Wandy can turn it around just like Vitor has since dropping to MIDDLEWEIGHT.

I know this is a catchweight, but it's a transition and Wandy looks great, and as confident as ever.

I love Wandy at MW because of the physical matchups are more to his liking and advantage than LHW. He won't have as many obstacles to overcome.

As long as he's working on his takedown defense, he'll be okay. Nobody has ever done any damage to Wandy on the ground, they've all pretty much just laid on him.

I think Wandy can get in close on Rich, as Rich has proven just about anyone can.

 

[muhr]

i got rich over wanderlei. the only 3 guys to beat rich are lyoto, anderson and dan, the latter requiring his wrestling to do so.

wanderlei's striking is at best on par with dan's and probably a little more wild.

aside from beating the highly erratic jardine, wanderei has been koed 3 times in his last 5 fights and in the other loss he took a lot of damage to a heavily shopworn chuck.

rich is better than chuck at this point. the only advantage i'd give chuck over rich would be wrestling and perhaps punching power although then again chuck hasn't koed anybody in around 3 years.

there are 3 ufc guys who's brain health worries me and wanderlei is one of them, the other 2 being chuck and rodrigo. all of these guys have taken a lot of damage in their careers and chuteboxe is known for their hard sparring, resulting in wanderlie being koed a number of times.

all 3 of those guys have been knocked down 6 times or so in their recent fight and either koed brutally or shaken to their core.

i think all 3 of those guys are fade material.

 

[Coach_K]

I like Wandy as much as anyone, I could watch his bare knuckle fights all day long, but I think his days are numbered. There is a reason Ace is favored, I would say most bettors know Wandy than Ace but it is close so why would vegas make Rich the fave, because he hasnt been beat up as much as Wandy and wants to continue his career and fight for LHW title someday. Wandy wants to fight, period. He would love to fight Anderson Silva to try to show the world he is the best, but he is not anymore. Another thing about Rich is that besides the win bonus and the notch in his record, he could've cared less about beating Hendo. Dont get me wrong he wanted to win, thought he did and probably should've but the last thing he wanted to do at this point is try to coach the punks on TUF, so I think he was OK with losing to Hendo. Ace will be ready for Wandy and will most likely win by TKO in the second. Just my opinion, wish this fight was in US then I would buy it.

Also if you see Hendo on the show or in blogs he mentions that Rich most likely broke his ribs in the fight so you know the clinch will be close for the Wandy fight. Look for Ace to get some knees in that make Wandy drop his hands and Ace to catch him on the chin. Like both these guys but there has to be a winner and my money will be on Rich Ace Franklin!

 

[weinerdog]

Well here is what you have been waiting to hear.

Franklin is a square bet. Not even close to the same league Silva. And thats todays Silva.

If Franklin gets a lucky punch sure he could end it. Silva has fought 100 times better fighters. The guys a top 6 all time, maybe top 8.

I like Rich alot also. Seems like a cool guy and you have to respect his intelligence. And he's a pretty good fighter.

Silvas still a premier fighter. He either knocks you out or you better knock him out.

Sorry Rich your only a fave because of Silvas last 5 fights.

Silva wins easily, unless of course he breaks his hand.

 

[weinerdog]

Muhr said:

wanderlei's striking is at best on par with dan's and probably a little more wild.

On par with Hendo's. Say whatttttttttttttt?

Hendo isnt even close to the striker Silva is. Never had been and never will be.

Not trying to insult you but man I hope you are only joking.

Hendos a wrestler and Silva might be the best puncher ever. Omg:director:

 

[Ghost Kid]

Well, I think we know the way to go now don't we?
Square me up on Richie Franklin NOW!

weinerdog, just to let you know muhr has brought more winners to this board than I can count....you can have a debate without insulting the guy....

 

[Ghost Kid]

Sorry Rich your only a fave because of Silvas last 5 fights.

Shouldn't you take those LAST 5 FIGHTS into account?
Pretty key part of capping fights, right?
All BS aside, in current form, my lean is toward Franklin.

 

[BUCSnotYUCKS]

I like Wandy as much as anyone, I could watch his bare knuckle fights all day long, but I think his days are numbered. There is a reason Ace is favored, I would say most bettors know Wandy than Ace but it is close so why would vegas make Rich the fave, because he hasnt been beat up as much as Wandy and wants to continue his career and fight for LHW title someday. Wandy wants to fight, period. He would love to fight Anderson Silva to try to show the world he is the best, but he is not anymore. Another thing about Rich is that besides the win bonus and the notch in his record, he could've cared less about beating Hendo. Dont get me wrong he wanted to win, thought he did and probably should've but the last thing he wanted to do at this point is try to coach the punks on TUF, so I think he was OK with losing to Hendo. Ace will be ready for Wandy and will most likely win by TKO in the second. Just my opinion, wish this fight was in US then I would buy it.

Also if you see Hendo on the show or in blogs he mentions that Rich most likely broke his ribs in the fight so you know the clinch will be close for the Wandy fight. Look for Ace to get some knees in that make Wandy drop his hands and Ace to catch him on the chin. Like both these guys but there has to be a winner and my money will be on Rich Ace Franklin!

HAHAHAH...He didn't want to win because he didn't want to coach TUF?? Come on brother, get real. He still complains about the Hendo loss, TO THIS DAY. So don't give us that bogus crap. Hendo won that fight anyway, I honestly don't know why Rich keeps bitching anyways.

About Wandy though, I actually liked how he was going in the fight against Rampage until he left his hands down and Rampage through a blind(but very good) punch. I say blind because if you watch the fight in slow motion, Rampage's head is down and he's looking away. I liked how Wandy was using leg kicks and he wasn't going in balls to the walls.

Wandy is a very dangerous fighter at this "weight class" as it is more suitable for his physique and the fighters whom he will fight in the MW division. The only strikers that are really dangerous to Wandy in the MW division are Anderson Silva, and well....Anderson Silva. I don't think he'll ever have to fight Maia because they train together, but who knows?