This is inspired by a thread over at Sherdog that pissed me off lol A lot of people have Hamill taking the win. I on the other hand don't even know how the UFC can let a newcomer who hasn't fought anyone get into the octagon with a great fighter like Franklin. I am not saying Hamill sucks thats not the point of this thread at all. The point I am trying to make is right now I think hamill is a "C" class fighter and should have to get more experience. Is the move to 205 for Rich permanant? If it is that would explain why he is fighting the bottom of the class, adding him and Anderson Silva to 205 makes it so interesting I really can't wait to see them fight some of the top guys!!!!!
I cant see Hamlin just controlling a guy like Franklin on the ground hes strong but so is Franklin and Hamlin has nothing else to offer. Franklins BJJ is very solid and would pick Hamil apart if the fight stays standing any longer then 20 secounds.
That's what I'm thinking, but it's an interesting matchup. I could see Hamil getting him on the ground, but Franklin is crafty at getting out of tough situations (unless he's caught in Silva's clinch ).
This ios going to knock Hamill down the ladder. He doesn't take pain or injury well. Hard to say if he will even fight Franklin....
Considering that, and his stopping Boetsch, he isn't exactly a lamb being led to slaughter, hes a live underdog at least.
He might not be a true great considering hes 0-3 vs his best 2 opponets but to say hes far from great makes you look like a very uneducated fan. Franklin has very well rounded skills from his Jiu-Jitsu,his takedowns,his takedown defense,all around solid striking he has good punches and kicks and knees,can overwhelm his opponets with GNP,fantastic conditioning. Then you got his resume with is still quite impressive although like I mentioned hes 0-3 vs his best opponets Anderson and Machida. Going 24-3 with wins over: Evan Tanner 2x - Former Middleweight Champ coming off 4 nice wins over Baroni twice,Lawler and Terrell. Ken Shamrock - Hey it was Shamrock before the 5 fight losing streak :yep Marvin Eastman - Not easy to submitt but Rich did it. Jorge Rivera - Very dangerous striker, Good wins over Grove,Hallman,Lutter,Loiseau. David Loiseau - Dangerous striker had put together 3 straight devesating wins in the octagon. Nate Quarry - Another dangerous fighter whos 5-0 in the UFC when he aint getting KOed stiff by Franklin. Jason McDonald - Another capable Middleweight contender has defeated alot of quality fighters in the UFC like Singer,Doerkson,Leben,Herman. Yushin Okami - # 1 contender right now defeated Tanner,Swick,McDonald,Starnes,Singer,Belcher. Travis Lutter - Considered by many as one of the top American BJJ guys in MMA and gave Anderson his toughest fight. All these guys hanging around the B level and Rich destroyed them all like they where journeymen. A 16 month reign as Middleweight Champion aint shabby neither.
You make it sound as if I said he is not a good (maybe its my fault a bit for not expanding) which of course he is. I think he is a good fighter and as you point out he has good all-round abilty. Personally, I dont think his near the great level and if that makes me look uneducated then thats fine you are entitled to your opinion. Its a good list of wins and he won most in good fashion (apart from Okami who he never destroyed) but your making it sound more impressive then it really is. You have to rememeber the UFC middleweight division never use to be the best as most the top middleweights were elsewhere. Obviously this hasn't always been Rich's fault as he can only beat who he is given but to be great or near the great level imo you have got to beat the top fighters in your class.
Ok sorry if I came off as a dick :good However Rich has beat top 10 guys maybe not top 3-4 level guys like some of the dudes in Pride a couple years ago like Filho,Henderson,Kang and obviously hes lost to Silva twice. But he beat Tanner who was top 10 when he beat him in 05 and Loiseau was in the lower portion of the top 10 in 06 when Franklin defeated him and of course Okami is now and no he didnt destroy him but he defeated him with no controversy with is good. I suppose 3-2 isnt bad wouldnt you say so ?
