Tag: rich franklin

UFC 147 Weigh-In Results: Weigh-Ins Build Interest in Fight Card

What is better than an intense staredown or even a confrontation after weighing in? Not much. Think about when Nate Diaz knocked Donald Cerrone’s cowboy hat off of his head or when his brother Nick decided to crowd B.J. Penn’s space. Weigh-…

What is better than an intense staredown or even a confrontation after weighing in? Not much. Think about when Nate Diaz knocked Donald Cerrone’s cowboy hat off of his head or when his brother Nick decided to crowd B.J. Penn’s space.

Weigh-ins are the final selling point.

What happens in the weigh-ins could be the difference between paying that $55 to see it on your flat screen or hanging out and refreshing your B/R live update page.

With that being said, this card needs all of the help it can get. Fans everywhere were clamoring to see Silva clobber the overmatched American in a rematch. However, that’s when the main event was Anderson Silva vs Chael Sonnen.

Wanderlei Silva vs Rich Franklin, not so much.

But then the weigh-ins happened and they have changed my mind.

The icy stare and gentle sway of the Axe Murderer made me wonder for a second if Franklin knew what he was getting into. Could we be on the eve of Silva connecting with one of his signature rush combos that sends Rich crashing down to earth and the fans of Brazil leaping out of their seats? Or will Rich have another Ace up his sleeve?

One thing is for sure and that’s, if looks could kill, the Axe Murderer would have earned his name last night. That stare was telling me and all of the viewers at home that Wand is ready to knock Rich’s head into the fourth row.

So maybe this will be one of the lower-selling PPV efforts in a long time for the UFC, but it definitely won’t be for the lack of a good final sell and staredown at the weigh-in.

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UFC 147 Predictions: Rich Franklin Will Take out Wanderlei Silva Again

Rich Franklin is primed to dish out punishment. In UFC 147, Franklin is all set to face off against Wanderlei Silva in a must-watch grudge match. While the two MMA fighters are sure to put on a show, the result of their Saturday night fight won’t…

Rich Franklin is primed to dish out punishment.

In UFC 147, Franklin is all set to face off against Wanderlei Silva in a must-watch grudge match. While the two MMA fighters are sure to put on a show, the result of their Saturday night fight won’t be different from that of their previous bout.

On June 13 back in 2008, Franklin and Silva went the distance in Cologne, Germany. While the fight didn’t end by knockout or submission, there was still no doubt who won the bout.

The judges ruled in Franklin’s favor by unanimous decision.

Matt Erickson of MMAjunkie.com reported that, while Franklin is a replacement for an injured Vitor Belfort, he isn’t opposed to the role. Franklin said:

I really like having that role. I like being the guy that people can count on. I kind of embrace that role. When I heard that Vitor was hurt, I knew the UFC was going to end up calling me. And sure enough, they did. I won’t say it was just because I’ve bailed them out before, but I was ready for a fight already, and I was pretty much at the point where I was peaking for a fight.

Franklin is confident. He defeated Silva before, and he knows exactly what he has to do to pull off another victory.

Now, each competitor has similar strengths in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, so neither possesses a major advantage in terms of a certain fighting style. Because of that, it wouldn’t be the least bit surprising for the showdown to go the distance once again.

But don’t expect an upset to be pulled off. Franklin is a UFC legend. Silva is a solid fighter, but he isn’t on Franklin’s level.

Silva has lost six out of his last nine fights, and on Saturday night, that slump will be extended.

 

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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UFC 147 Start Time: Boring Main Event Will Highlight Weak Card

I wasn’t overly enthused about Vitor Belfort taking on Wanderlei Silva on June 23 at UFC 147, but it was easier to accept as a main event than Rich Franklin and Silva. Three years ago, the two men fought in an impressive bout that Franklin won by decis…

I wasn’t overly enthused about Vitor Belfort taking on Wanderlei Silva on June 23 at UFC 147, but it was easier to accept as a main event than Rich Franklin and Silva. Three years ago, the two men fought in an impressive bout that Franklin won by decision.

Had they immediately had a rematch, it would have been more appealing.

Since then, Franklin has lost two of his last three fights. The only win in that span came over an over-the-hill Chuck Liddell, who retired right after the fight.

Silva has won two of three bouts since their first meeting, but at 35 years old, the Axe-Murderer is not exactly in his prime. This is a main event in name only, as the fighter’s stardom is sure to outweigh their in-ring ability.

The fight will take place in Silva’s home country Brazil, so he will undoubtedly have the crowd behind him. I think that will be a significant edge for Silva and he’ll pressure and pound Franklin into a stoppage.

Franklin seemed a step slow in his last bout against Forrest Griffin, and he seems to be on the decline faster than Silva. He’s 37 years old and has been looking every day of it in the octagon recently. 

The rest of the card at UFC 147 isn’t exactly exciting either. This figures to be a card for the hardcore fan only, as it lacks the overall wow factor.

Here are the specifics for following the action, and the rest of the card:

 

Where: Estádio Jornalista Felipe Drumond in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

When: Saturday, June 23 at 10 p.m. ET

Watch: Facebook under-card fights at 7 p.m. ET, preliminary fights at 8 p.m. ET on FX, Main Card fights at 10 p.m. ET on pay-per-view; online pay-per-view streaming (must pay $44.99) at UFC.tv, Yahoo! Sports, UStream, Android or iPhone

 

Full Fight Card

Main Card (PPV)

Catchweight (190 lb.): Wanderlei Silva vs. Rich Franklin

Middleweight: Cezar Ferreira vs. Sergio Moraes

Featherweight: Godofredo Pepey vs. Rony Mariano Bezerra

Heavyweight: Fabricio Werdum vs. Mike Russow

Featherweight: Yuri Alcantara vs. Hacran Dias

 

Preliminary Card (FX)

Featherweight: Anistavio Medeiros vs. Rodrigo Damm

Middleweight: Delson Heleno vs. Francisco Drinaldo

Featherweight: John Teixeira vs. Hugo Viana

Middleweight: Thiago Perpétuo vs. Leonardo Mafra

 

Preliminary Card (Facebook)

Featherweight: Vinicius Borges Pancini vs. Wagner Campos

Featherweight: Felipe Arantes vs. Milton Vieira

 

Follow Brian Mazique and Franchiseplay.net for reactions, analysis and news from the world of sports and sports video games.

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Silva vs. Franklin: TV Info, Preview and Prediction for UFC 147 Main Event

Three years after Rich Franklin defeated Wanderlei Silva by unanimous decision, the veteran UFC stars will once again battle inside the octagon. The bout will be the main event of a card that also features the finals of the Ultimate Fighter Brazil. Sil…

Three years after Rich Franklin defeated Wanderlei Silva by unanimous decision, the veteran UFC stars will once again battle inside the octagon. The bout will be the main event of a card that also features the finals of the Ultimate Fighter Brazil.

Silva will be looking for redemption, and he should have the vast majority of crowd support since the event is taking place in his home country of Brazil. That should give him plenty of motivation as he heads toward the twilight of his career.

Here’s a look at all the important information for tonight’s bout, a look at each fighter and a prediction for how the main event will turn out.

 

Where: Estadio Jornalista Felipe Drumond in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

When: Saturday, June 23 at 10 p.m. ET

Watch: Pay-per-view (local providers)

 

Wanderlei Silva

After defeating Quinton Jackson for the second time in a year back in 2004, Silva was riding high as one of MMA‘s biggest stars. Since that marquee victory, he’s managed just a 7-8 record and hasn’t looked like the same dominant force.

The biggest reason for his struggles has been a lack of pop on his punches. He used to control the fight with his quick, powerful combinations. When he attempts to do the same things now, they don’t have the same impact on opponents.

He hasn’t fought since last November, so the time off should have given him a chance to get back to full strength. If he’s going to have a late-career resurgence, he needs to get back to the style that made him a star in the first place.

Of Franklin’s six career losses, four have come by knockout. So there’s definitely an opportunity there and Silva must take advantage.

 

Rich Franklin

Franklin returns after more than a year between fights. He had a fight with Antonio Rogerio Nogueira canceled after Nogueira had to pull out and then Franklin suffered an injury of his own. Now he’s ready for action.

His results have been mixed over the past few years with wins over Silva and Chuck Liddell, but losses to Forrest Griffin, Vitor Belfort and Dan Henderson. Although he’s not a top-tier fighter anymore, he can still hold his own.

The key for Franklin will be going on the attack and forcing Silva to defend early. Two of Silva’s last three losses have come by first-round knockout. That should be the path the American should attempt to take as well.

It’s a golden opportunity for him to show he still have some good fights left in him. In the ultra-competitive UFC, he can’t afford to let it slip away.

 

Prediction

Overall, this is an evenly-matched bout. It should be exciting since both guys will be looking to score a knockout early. That pace will be impossible to maintain, however, so whichever guy illustrates more endurance will pick up the win.

Neither fighter has been in top form and are coming off extended layoffs, so it’s a tough call. Ultimately, I expect Franklin to pull off the main-event victory.

Franklin by knockout

 

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Silva vs. Franklin: Wrestling Is Key to Victory for Powerful Stand-Up Fighters

Wanderlei Silva and Rich Franklin have combined for 39 knockouts in 82 total fights, but their power isn’t going to determine the winner of UFC 147’s headline bout.These violent stand-up fighters must use their technical wrestling and takedown skills t…

Wanderlei Silva and Rich Franklin have combined for 39 knockouts in 82 total fights, but their power isn’t going to determine the winner of UFC 147’s headline bout.

These violent stand-up fighters must use their technical wrestling and takedown skills to win this contest.

Franklin has 10 victories by way of submission in his career. Silva only has three, while wrestling has never been his strongest suit.

We know each fighter has one-shot knockout power—they’re both elite, albeit different, striking players. 

That leaves the ground game as this fight’s determining factor.

Let’s take a look at each fighter’s wrestling abilities and how they’ll shape this battle.

 

Wanderlei Silva

Silva is a brawler. He relies on his kickboxing skills and Muay Thai talents to devastate opponents on their feet.

However, his game changes when you get him onto his back.

His takedown defense is flawed because he lacks defensive instincts. He’s usually so focused on his own knockout that he forgets to cover himself up.

This could be exploited by Franklin on Saturday night. He will look to shoot Silva’s legs and neutralize the Brazilian’s heavy fists and lethal kicks.

If the majority of this fight is fought standing up, I have to give the edge to Silva. He’s had some of the most brutal knockouts that mixed martial arts has ever seen.

His chances of winning this rematch come down to wrestling. If he can fight well, out of his element, he will emerge with a victory.

 

Rich Franklin

Franklin is technically savvy in all areas of fighting. He’d prefer to stay on his feet, but he is no slouch on the ground.

His submission tactics have been highlighted throughout his 20-plus year mixed martial arts career. He has 10 career victories by submission.

I have to give him a big advantage in this department. In the first fight, both fighters struggled to strike with any real consistency. Expect them to compensate for that with a heavier reliance on their grappling skills.

If the match comes down to that, Franklin’s quickness and agility will pay off. He will pick his spots. Yes, he must be mindful of Silva’s one-punch capabilities, but Franklin has a vast understanding of how to fight.

The ability to adapt and fight multiple styles will help Franklin at UFC 147. Neither of these fighters are in their prime, and this fight isn’t for a championship belt, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t must-see TV.

Watching their styles push and pull against the other will be interesting.

In the end, I think Franklin’s understanding of his limitations, and his willingness to fight against his preferred style, will earn him the victory.

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UFC 147 Weigh-In Results for Wanderlei Silva vs. Rich Franklin Fight Card

Less than 24 hours after UFC on FX 4 wraps up from the Revel Casino in Atlantic City, N.J., the UFC will present UFC 147 from Estádio Jornalista Felipe Drumond in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The Brazilian card will be headlined by a catchweight bout…

Less than 24 hours after UFC on FX 4 wraps up from the Revel Casino in Atlantic City, N.J., the UFC will present UFC 147 from Estádio Jornalista Felipe Drumond in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The Brazilian card will be headlined by a catchweight bout between former Pride champion Wanderlei Silva and former UFC champion Rich Franklin.

Silva (34-11-1-1) and Franklin (28-6-0-1) have met in the past with Franklin taking home the unanimous decision victory at UFC 99.

In addition to the Silva versus Franklin rematch, the winners of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil will be decided on the pay-per-view portion of the card.

Also featured on the main card will be a heavyweight contest between Fabricio Werdum and Mike Russow.

 

UFC 147 full fight card:

Rich Frankin vs. Wanderlei Silva

Cezar Ferreira vs. Sergio Moraes 

Rony Mariano Bezerra vs. Godofredo de Oliveira  

Mike Russow vs. Fabricio Werdum

Yuri Alcantara vs. Hacran Dias

Rodrigo Damm vs. Anistavio Medeiros

Francisco Drinaldo vs. Delson Heleno

John Teixeira vs. Hugo  Viana

Leonardo Mafra Teixeira vs. Thiago de Oliveira Perpetuo

Marcos Vinicius Borges Pancini vs. Wagner Campos

Felipe Arantes vs. Milton Vieira

The fighters will hit the scales on Friday, with the first weigh-in taking place at 3 p.m. EST.

Bleacher Report will have the weigh-in results for you as they take place.

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