Let me be the first to say it, Rich Franklin will be champion at 205. It's not that the one siding beating of Matt Hamill impressed me. It's the cumulative success of Franklin's career and his attitude toward fighting. The guy is a pleasure to watch and would probably be one of the Top 5 guys in the sport if god never created Anderson Silva.
I thought he looked great. He looks a lot healthier at the higher weight. His opponent didn't do anything, however.
Fraknlin is no more than a good B level fighter, he wont amount to much at 205 as it is so stacked unless he gets the winner of Griffin-Evans next
In the stacked 205 pound division, who would you rate as 'A' level fighters? Naturally you should leave Anderson Silva out. In my opinion, Franklin has the goods to hang with and beat the likes of Liddell, Jackson, and Griffin. Considering those are the last 3 Champions at 205, that's not bad.
Anderson is a freak, just as Fedor is. You have to remove them from the equation almost:: Rich was #2 or possibly #3 at middleweight in the UFC, depending on where you have Dan Henderson. Rich would be a tough fight for all of the elite fighters at 205. I am not sold he will be champion, but it would be foolish to say he doesn't have a shot against any of the best there. Although as I am typing, the matchup with him and Rampage seems like a very bad one for Rich.:nono:
It's funny, but when I first thought about whether Franklin could win a title at 205, Rampage was the first opponent I thought about. While Rampage is a dangerous matchup for anyone, I think Rich can duplicate what Griffin did. And Franklin is likely a better striker than Griffin. They are both cardio monsters, high workrate guys and well-rounded fighters. Franklin also had a pretty good chin at 185...
You definitely have some strong points there, I might be putting to much into the pure physical advantage Rampage would have. Griffin has a granite chin and could absorb allot of punishment against Rampage. I don't see Rich being able to do the same. If he could stay away much same way Jardine did against Chuck I could see it. But I don't see Rampage letting him stay away for long.
Franklin is more than just a B level guy. He would be middle weight champ if Silva didnt exist. Didn't he start at 205?
Just don't let him anywhere near Machida. It's also too bad for Rich that Anderson Silva will most likely end up at 205 in the near future as well. Rich is a good fighter, he could make some noise at 205 for sure. He just won't beat the top guys. Give him Wandy next.
