"With one victory in three fights at UFC’s octagon, Wanderlei Silva decided to drop to middleweight division, where he faces one of the best fighters of the category. Former champion, Rich Franklin was the last man to hold the belt before the beginning of Anderson Silva’s domain in the octagon, but comes from recent defeat to Dan Henderson. With the next fight confirmed, Wanderlei is excited for a new victory.
"Fighting with him is incredible, because he was the last champion before Anderson. He is a great fighter, a complete guy and it’s a good fight for me in this new category. He has a good ground, good striking, good takedowns and I think it’ll be a good fight for me. I’m bringing many guy from Brazil to train with me that are also complete fighters, I’ll be ready for him", says the Brazilian, in an interview for the Fighters Only Magazine site. The catchweight (195lbs) fight is scheduled for UFC 99, on June 13th, in Germany."
Tatame.com
I wonder what fighters he's reffering too? Maybe his problem is he needs a complete team to train with like Chute Boxe and not a bunch of coaches just training him individually?
I really hate this match up cuz usually it makes the fight much more exciting when there's bad blood. Rich is a nice guy. Don't wanna see him get KTFO. Gonna have to go with Wand though.
I love me some vicious Silva, but I think Rich is going to win this with takedowns. Unless Silva catches Franklin with a good shot in the first, I don't think he really has that big of a chance.
Good fight, could be close too.
I don't really want either to lose again, but I'm still cheering for mah boy Wandy! I think he might have the edge in this fight too. He might just overwhelm Rich on the feet, unless he comes out like he did in his last fight with Rampage. :confused05:
I'm glad to see that Wand has respect for Rich's talents. I want these two guys to go out there, respect eachother, and give a great show. No arrogant jackassery like Hendo gave. I want to see Rich win, but I still want to see Wand give a great performance.
Honestly who here doesn't think Franklin doesnt have the same fear Jardine had for Silva? Oh by the way I think everytime Franklin hear's the name Silva he has nightmares about knees lol!
I'm really pulling for Wandy in this fight. Hopefully he brings back some more clinch work in this fight. I really think the clinch is an area where Wandy can do alot of damage. Obviously he's no Spider in the clinch, but he use to be pretty damn good just ask Rampage.
Man, I don't know what to make of this fight. A part of me feels like Wand is going to get the KO, but then another part of me feels like I should be giving Franklin more of a chance in this fight. Idk. :dunno:
If I could ask one thing for this fight, it would be a multi-round war. I like both of these guys and don't want to see either one lose unless they've dished out some damage and left everything in the cage.
In some fights where I like both of the fighters, I tend to support the underdog. In this case, I can't really pick an underdog, and neither can really afford more losses right now. Not because a loss will get them dropped from the UFC (because both are crowd favorites and draw PPV numbers) but because each loss chips away at the fighters confidence and puts more doubt in their mind for future fights.
I think Rich is the smarter fighter, but I think Wandy brings a fear factor to his opponents based on his style and past victories. As Shamrock would say, I'm 100% confident this fight could go either way.
They are fighting at 195 CW. from what I read on the post, kind of strange, I thought the UFC did not want to put on catch weight fights?
Can someone explain?
Does anyone know the relationship between Anderson and Wanderlei? I'm curious because I've always heard they were close, not teammates but friends that may not fight. In which case this would be the most pointless middleweight fight ever other than for entertainment value. Honestly, I think this a terrible match up for both guys.
How so? If Rich wins and Anderson Silva loses in April guess who is back in the title picture, yep Rich. If Wandy loses he puts himself in contendership. Anderson Silva looks unstoppable now but how many fighters have stayed that way? Only Fedor really.
wow what a fight and i think its gonna be hard to pick a winner in this..both men comming off a big loss. but im gonna be backing wwandy on this one i want to see him do well at a lower weight. im jus hoping to see a good couple of rounds stand up before a knockout
This is a fight where I don't want to see either fighter lose two in a row, either Rich may find it in his reserves to grind out a decision or submission, or Silva will get a late KO.
Neither are near then end of their careers, but the fans and forum posters will already begin to write them off (no offense to anyone lol), whoever wins.
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