The rematch at UFC 147 between Rich Franklin and Wanderlei Silva was a fight MMA fans could get excited about, as we all expected a slugfest between the two veterans. Throughout the 25-minute fight over five rounds, that’s exactly what MMA fans were able to enjoy in Brazil.
Both fighters have uncertain futures in the UFC Octagon and they brought everything they had into the cage with them on Saturday. Not surprisingly, both fighters also won themselves a $65,000 Fight of the Night bonus, according to UFC President Dana White (via Yahoo! Sports).
What We’ll Remember About This Fight
Yet another battle between two former champions absolutely interested in bringing it. Silva looked to have the fight finished in the second round, but appeared to burn himself out after he was unable to get the finish.
Interestingly, Franklin admitted he didn’t remember the third and fourth rounds, but snapped out of it when his coaches told him he was heading into the fifth round.
What We Learned About Rich Franklin
Franklin is a warrior. Against most fighters, the Brazilian would have won a second-round TKO. Instead, Franklin kept working at defending himself and kept moving to indicate to the referee that he was trying to intelligently defend himself.
What We Learned About Wanderlei Silva
He can still rock fighters and his chin hasn’t completely dissolved. Franklin hit Silva with some hard shots, but he looked okay absorbing most of those shots. I don’t know if Silva wants to enter into too many more complete standup battles like he did vs. Franklin, but it seems like that fighting style is in his DNA.
What’s Next For Rich Franklin
The UFC company man hopes to make another run toward the middleweight title before retirement, but we’ll see what happens next. I find it amazing that Franklin wants another piece of Anderson Silva.
What’s Next For Wanderlei Silva
No idea. Silva said he still wants a piece of Vitor Belfort, and the UFC could promote that fight even though Silva lost a unanimous decision (again) to Franklin. I still don’t like the thought of Silva fighting Belfort, so we’ll see what the UFC decides to do with Silva.
The UFC would also be able to market a fight against Chael Sonnen if Sonnen loses his rematch to Anderson Silva at UFC 148 in two weeks. Silva’s chin survived the fight with Franklin tonight, but I’m not so sure he can endure a potential three-round standup war again.
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