Rumor: Franklin vs Hamill @ UFC 88

[bega]

Originally Posted by lilp86

I call bullshit on this I just read an interveiw where Rich said he feels like since hes been fighting at MW for so long his body isnt the same as it used to be and hes not big enough to fight at LHW anymore. I think its pretty stupid for him to leave MW when Anderson is about to go to LHW as well considering when Anderson does leave Rich is most likely gonna get the shot at the Vacant belt. I think hes gonna end up fight Marquart or he will end up finally fightin Kampmann either way Imo his next fights gonna be at 185

I agree with you that with Anderson ( temporarily ) moving to 205 Rich is left at the top of the food chain and wouldn't make any sense to move to 205.

At the same time I disagree that Anderson will leave the belt vacant. I think this is just a test to see how will he do against real LHW fighters.

And even if they have fight for vacant title they will give the shot to Hendo instead of Marquart

[lilp86]

Originally Posted by bega

I agree with you that with Anderson ( temporarily ) moving to 205 Rich is left at the top of the food chain and wouldn't make any sense to move to 205.

At the same time I disagree that Anderson will leave the belt vacant. I think this is just a test to see how will he do against real LHW fighters.

And even if they have fight for vacant title they will give the shot to Hendo instead of Marquart

Right I dont mean gettin a shot at the vacant belt now I mean if Anderson destorys Irvin which he should he will prolly fight Okami and then go to 205 leaveing Rich and Hendo to fight for the vacant belt. I think they wanna give both Rich and Hendo tune up fights instead of letting them fight each other just in case this secinario comes up

[Gurry]

man i say rich by UD. Even though rich is so powerful with his punches, i think rich's power is underestimated, when he throws it duznt look hard, but the face of his opponents tell another story. But yeah, even though hes so powerful, i think it takes ALOT to knock hammil out, and i think hammill will secure a takedown later on in the fight when he realizes he cant bar fight with rich, but i still think rich will eek out a decision over him.

[thefirm0]

they really should give rich someone who would strike with him, like stephan bonnar when he comes back. they dont want rich losing too much and retiring, he can pull a crowd and he's a great ambassador of the sport. i do think rich would beat hamill but he'd have a better chance with a striker.

[Severn]

Matt has great punching power and great wrestling but his stand-up technique could use a lot of work. Rich has that and should be able to work the big man and finish him in the second/third round.

[Intellectual]

i'm not looking forward to this at all.

[Madd Wilk]

Originally Posted by lilp86

I call bullshit on this I just read an interveiw where Rich said he feels like since hes been fighting at MW for so long his body isnt the same as it used to be and hes not big enough to fight at LHW anymore. I think its pretty stupid for him to leave MW when Anderson is about to go to LHW as well considering when Anderson does leave Rich is most likely gonna get the shot at the Vacant belt. I think hes gonna end up fight Marquart or he will end up finally fightin Kampmann either way Imo his next fights gonna be at 185

I agree with you completely. I read that article as well. Factor in the fact that Silva just moved up to 205 and Rich has even more reason to stay at 185. I could see him matching up with Marquardt or Bisping in the near future.

I think that a fight with Franklin and Hammill would be great but it would be FAR from an easy fight for Rich. In fact I would give Hammill the edge on this if it ever comes to fruition.

[jmarsh0176]

Franklin's strength @ 205 will definitely be tested. Hamill is as strong as a horse, and his wrestling ability is obvious. If Hamill can put Rich on his back, it'll be interesting to see if Rich can get back to his feet.

That said, Rich via KO (knee) 2nd rd.

[2mcgrath]

if this happens rich wins this one,he can sub or i feel ko hamill.sure hamill has wrestling but that doesnt mean if he takes rich down that hamill will be out of trouble.what ive seen it looks to me rich has a pretty good ground game as well,and has good sub d.so ethier way i think hamill is beat if it happens

[gnfshn]

I see a UD or sub by Franklin. Franklin will break his fragile hands on Hamill's hard noggin. He may KO with a knee on a Hamill takedown attempt. But I think he'll catch Hamill with a sub after he gets taken down. I hate to this fight because one of them has to lose.