Mike, Mortis and Mitch

I wasn't sure where to put this thread but since this fight is booked already I figured this was the most logical spot. I am curious to see what your breakdowns would be for the Franklin/Wanderlei fight next month. You 3 seem to have very different ideas most of the time (sometimes similar predictions but you view things very differently from one another) so I wanted to hear what you had to say. It's open to anyone with an opinion of this of course so feel free to jump right in with your thoughts.

rich is better everywhere, but either could get knocked out. no way wand wins a decision. rich has a reach advantage and really shouldn't get caught by a punch. 90% franklin. despite franklin losing brutally in the aderson rematch, he still was able to hold his own before he got caught.

Franklin is the more technical striker, he's always pretty unorthodox being southpaw and throwing strikes from strange angles. Wanderlei on the other hand is a bit more predictable and wild.

I mean he's very aggressive and has a ton of KO power, but he leaves himself open and a guy like Franklin is going to catch him. Wanderlei's chin isn't as durable as it used to be either, Franklin could easily drop him.

I agree with Mike, 90% on Franklin winning, 10% on Silva.

I say Franklin via first round TKO.

but I hope it goes on longer then that

I like both fighters a lot btw.

I knew I came to the right place. I have talked to quite a few people that think Rich doesn't have a chance against a guy like Wanderlei. I can't imagine anyone watching these 2 in previous fights and making that kind of statement. I knew you guys would have valid reasons behind your answers (no matter what your prediction was) and not just....so and so kicks ass. LOL

I have Franklin via TKO in the 2nd round. This isn't the Wanderlei that we saw in Pride, unless he fights like he did against Jardine.... then again.. that was Keith Jardine we're talkin' about, haha.

Wanderlei is now about as inconsistent as Forrest Griffin lately. Rich Franklin, on the other hand, is still up there close to his prime (I believe his prime is past, but did not drop off a cliff like some fighters have), and is usually on spot most of the time. Rich just has more fight in him right now than Wanderlei does.

In terms of the relevance of the fight, there isn't a whole lot. It's basically a superfight that people would just want to watch. I think it'll be a good fight, but have Rich coming out on top.

on a side note, am i the only one that thinks a Franklin vs. Shogun right would be epic?

I'd love to see that fight after UFC 99!

As for Wanderlei, I hope he sticks around and fights at Middleweight.

I'd love to see him fight guys like Patrick Cote, that would be a war!

Franklin vs. Shogun would be sweet.

Franklin vs. Shogun would have more relevance. Especially if Rich sticks around at 205. I would like to see him make a run at the light heavyweight title.

Mortis wrote:I have Franklin via TKO in the 2nd round. This isn't the Wanderlei that we saw in Pride, unless he fights like he did against Jardine.... then again.. that was Keith Jardine we're talkin' about, haha.

Wanderlei is now about as inconsistent as Forrest Griffin lately. Rich Franklin, on the other hand, is still up there close to his prime (I believe his prime is past, but did not drop off a cliff like some fighters have), and is usually on spot most of the time. Rich just has more fight in him right now than Wanderlei does.

In terms of the relevance of the fight, there isn't a whole lot. It's basically a superfight that people would just want to watch. I think it'll be a good fight, but have Rich coming out on top.

here are my disagreements:
wand is the same guy in pride. he proved in the chuck fight he doesn't always get dropped when hit on the button. dan henderson and mirko cro cop proved that he's ALWAYS been susceptible to getting flash knocked out. the sport is passing one dimensional fighters by. and skill is so much better. the older best strikers are being outstruck by newer ground fighters.

also, i think it's a bit early to say rich is passing his prime by any means. he hasn't shown any physical decline and you only craft your skills more with age. the sport is growing so fast that it looks like the guys of a couple years ago are past their prime, but really, they mostly aren't. rich beat matt h handily, and then lost a close decision with henderson, one of the best in the division. when was rich at his prime?? when he was facing B level opponents?? because even when he fought a top tier guy before in machida he got KOd.


and btw, rich vs shogun would be great! the only thing i see as being detrimental is shogun's chin advantage. in a points match, it'd be close though. i think shogun is more talented and would overwhelm rich, but rich has really sharp and tight stand up which is effective against an unorthodox wider style like shogun. rich's stand up is far more threatening than chuck's.

DFDmike wrote:rich beat matt h handily

Matt Hamill isn't exatly in Rich's league to begin with.

DFDmike wrote:and then lost a close decision with henderson

Everybody loses to a close decision with Decision Dan because he likes to lay on people, haha.

But overall, I do see your points.

Mortis wrote:

DFDmike wrote:rich beat matt h handily

Matt Hamill isn't exatly in Rich's league to begin with.

DFDmike wrote:and then lost a close decision with henderson

Everybody loses to a close decision with Decision Dan because he likes to lay on people, haha.

But overall, I do see your points.

Decision Dan...............I love that!

screw all the dan hate. y'all suck!

DFDmike wrote:screw all the dan hate. y'all suck!

Hehe.

13 out of 24 wins by Decision.... 6 split decisions, 2 majority decisions, 5 unanimous decisions.

The numbers don't lie

Decision Dan likes to lay on people.

And 4 out of his 7 losses were by decision also. 1 split decision, 3 unanimous decisions.

DFDmike wrote:screw all the dan hate. y'all suck!

I don't think there will be another fighter who will end 30% of their fights with a split decision and still be considered one of the best fighters in the world ever again.

Props to Dan for that.

You're killing me here Mortis!

8 of lyoto's 14 wins are by decision. 57%
13 of dan's 24 wins are by decision. 54%

3 of rashad's 13 wins are by split decision. 23%
5 of dan's 24 wins are by split decision. 21%

everything mortis just said being wrong. 100%

DFDmike wrote:8 of lyoto's 14 wins are by decision. 57%
13 of dan's 24 wins are by decision. 54%

3 of rashad's 13 wins are by split decision. 23%
5 of dan's 24 wins are by split decision. 21%

everything mortis just said being wrong. 100%

Haha... Hendo has had to impressive wins in his career.. that KO against Wanderlei that you posted (though, he has also lost against Wanderlei as well).. and KO'ing Renzo Gracie.

He's had more impressive losses, including being armbarred by little Nog TWICE and being choked out by Anderson Silva. All his other wins were against mediocre talent.

Comparing him to Evans numbers means nothing to me anyways, cuz you already know I'm not a big fan of his

And how many of those decisions of Machida's were split decisions?... ONE! At least when Machida wins, it's clear that he wins. When Hendo wins, they're not even sure he should have won, lol.