Regardless of the tepid fan reception surrounding UFC 147, Wanderlei Silva will take on Rich Franklin in a rematch of their 2009 battle, which Franklin won by unanimous decision.
The griping has much more to do with the fact that this fight is being sold as the main event of a pay-per-view, which makes the grumbling understandable, than its entertainment value, which is substantial, despite any supplementary considerations.
Their first fight was an entertaining affair that won Fight of the Night honors. This one should be no different. The only problem with it is that it has about zero significance value. It’s a rematch of a fight that wasn’t controversial. It’s being contested, again, at a catchweight. With Franklin at 37 and Wandy at 35, with about 10 times that in fight years between the two of these warriors, neither guy is seriously thought to ever contend for a title again.
People are apprehensive about dropping $50 for anything other than a stellar card. In the No. 3 or 4 spots, even the co-main slot, this wouldn’t be an issue. But as a main event, it’s a rough sell for the UFC.
But that’s just analytical stuff.
Let us, as fans, view this fight through the proper lens. Take the glitz and glamour out of it. Forget about title shots, main events and even divisional relevance. We must do that to truly appreciate this fight because those things have gotten in the way and marred its worth. And that worth is easier to see when you look at this fight for what it is: two MMA stars, albeit aged stars, but still, two fighters who’ve given us their all over the years and produced some epic battles.
Let’s take a look at how they stack up.