True but Chuck doesnt have that same kind of wrestling ability that Couture has. Couture can just drive you into the cage where the absolute hell out of you and when its time he will drag you down. Chuck has always seemed to be more of a double leg guy which can be a good counter to Franklin's body kicks. That said its going to be hard to change him completely like that to the point of where his wrestling alone would win the fight. Chuck might shoot once or twice but listen this guy is a banger hes built a 15 year career simply off a sprawl and brawl style. It would be like it Tito Ortiz and Matt Hughes decided to never shoot for doubles agian.
Im making Liddell the underdog here , i think Franklin is too crafty and clever for Chuck , there is little or no chance Franklin has to worry about a TD from Chuck , and i think Liddell's stand up has slowed down so much that i see Franklin picking him to bits on the feet and scoring a UD , there is whispers that Liddell is in the best condition of his life coming out of this camp but we hear that every time . Confirmation for me that Chuck is done was Shogun , unless he really has found a new condition i dont see how that version of Liddell beats Franklin , id put this fight in the Liddell Jardine bracket (although i beleive Franklin to be a much better fighter than Jardine) in terms of how i see the outcome , i see Franklin utilising a better of array of stand up tools and just being that little bit busier , quicker and all round technically superior to Liddell . Franklin by decision . :deal
I agree Franklin will use his kicks and punching angles to outpoint Liddell. I think Franklin's only real worry is getting caught but IMO he has to get caught with something he doesnt see coming. Liddell has just slowed down so much and I think like Jardine that Franklin will see everything a mile away. I think Chuck is somewhat competitive in the fight but cleary loses what I think will be a solid fight. I do expect like the Jardine fight a KD.
I don't want to see him fight in the same style, dirty boxing etc I just want to see him employ wrestling because I think his blunt reflexes can prosper in wrestling more than striking. It will be hard to change him but he has a wrestling background he just needs to bring it out. Against Silva, I think he did some cute moves, not just double leg. As a striker, his time is over. He can't ko guys and he isn't getting spectacularly ko'd. Kicks and wrestling is what I want to see.
I see this fight going two ways.... Franklin will win a decision in a fight the mirrors the one he had with Wanderlei. OR- Chuck knocks him out. I'm pulling for Franklin.
Franklin is very good at following the game plan, and he'll be able to mix it up and use angles enough to beat Liddell. Will he take the risk and try to finish him if he gets the chance? I doubt it. Franklin by UD.
chuck only losses to very good fighters..i think shogun has proved this with his win over machida . is franklen good enuff to beat chuck? i say its a pick'em fight.,
Im pretty sure Franklin is a slight notch above the Jardine that defeated Liddell using a similar style to the one Rich uses.
Everybody keeps saying Chuck is in good shape, and he is of course, but he hasn't been losing due to poor conditioning. He has been losing because his reflexes are going along with his chin.
I see it pretty much how everyone else here sees it. Chuck is too far gone now, having lost his reflexes etc and will lose a decision to Franklin. I think Franklin should be wary of the right hand though as power is the last thing to go, but then again he is always a careful fighter, and usually protects his chin fairly well. Hopefully Chuck retires after this as he says he will. He's a legend of the sport as it is.
