Marvin Eastman (w), Evan Tanner (w x2), Lyoto Machida (l), Jorge Rivera (w), Nate Quarry (w), David Loiseau (w), Anderson Silva (l x2), Jason MacDonald (w), Yushin Okami (w), Matt Hamill (w), Dan Henderson (l), Wanderlei Silva (w) and now Vitor Belfort. Pretty good resume there... with only losses to two World Champions and a former two division Champion, yet I get the sinking feeling that people think nothing more of Rich than as a glorified gatekeeper. Yet, very few have the resume (irregardless of wins or losses) that Franklin can offer. Is "Ace" getting overlooked by MMA fans?
The fact that he is SOOO outmatched by Anderson Silva, I thihk, really impacts people's perspective of him.
Franklin has always been overlooked by many. ****, I remember getting into an argument on this forum when someone took the liberty to say that Rich is nothing more than a journeyman and a gatekeeper, just a stepping stone .
Franklin is as good as Alves, Fitch, Florian, Sherk, Evans ect ect. Thoses fighter are very good, but they arent beating the champ minus a lucky shot. Franklin isnt helped by the fact he got outclassed more badly than other contender..
I feel Franklin (because of his personality) is one of the most popular fighters in the UFC. However, because of his fights with Silva, I feel he is somewhat overlooked as far as his resume is concerned. He's definitely one of the top 20 fighters in the UFC and I feel he's one of the most respectable as well. I appreciate the fact that he's more interested in exciting match-ups than focusing on a title shot and because of that, he's one of my favorites. In fact, I can say Franklin is the guy who brought me back to watching UFC fights. The free fight on Spike when he beat Shamrock had shown me how far the skills in MMA had come and I really got excited about watching more of them. I've only missed 2 (or so) PPV's since....
I think maybe its because both Anderson Silva fights went the same way but Griffin,Marquardt,Henderson are all excellent fighters who Silva destroyed how do we know the rematches wouldnt go the exact way ? I cant consider him a gatekeeper as the only guys hes lost to are Machida,Anderson and Henderson 3 guys who are no doubt among the top 15 or probablly top 10 greatest fighters in MMA history. The man was a dominant Middleweight Champion he took on Evan Tanner when Tanner was smashing that divison and Rich destroyed him for a secound time, knocked Nate Quarry out of the sport for almost 2 years and beat David Louiseau so badly hes never recovered from it. Yushin Okami is considered by many the 2nd best Middleweight in the world right now and Rich beat him clearly just 2 years ago, Matt Hamil has only 1 legit loss in MMA and thats to Rich who flat tourtured him, Wanderlei Silva is still a good victory and Rich beat him ground and standing up. It wouldnt shock me if Rich is a Champion agian in the UFC I give him a strong chance vs anyone at 185 or 205 whos name isnt Silva or Machida and who can beat them ? If the UFC made a 195 pound weight class Rich could very well be the Champion of that. You cant overlook his skills neither has very underatted BJJ skills especially his defenses and standing up he is so versitile and especially dangerous with those liver kicks. I love Rich Franklin hes a great fighter and will be in the HOF someday.
Franklin floats between A and B as a fighter. He beat Silva, went close with Henderson, lost to Silva x2, beats all the other contenders, only loses to the best, good all round fighter but then nothing strikes you as special etc etc
damaged goods. after you get DOMINATED in a sport that you were once elite in, your never the same. Anderson Silva really outworked him and beat him up. He is going to go the way of Forrest Griffin
Sorry i should have spent more time explaining. He will win fights still but he wont be in the elite anymore. He has the skills to win but he no longer has the heart to be a great champion. So thats why i say hes done and is damaged goods
How the **** do you know he doesnt have the heart ? Wanderlei rocked him pretty good and I didnt see this guy just fold up and quit no he battled on and won.