Dana White Explains Franklin vs. Silva At 195

[jakkups]

DANA WHITE EXPLAINS FRANKLIN VS. SILVA AT 195

Former UFC middleweight titleholder Rich "Ace" Franklin and former long-time Pride champion Wanderlei "The Axe Murderer" Silva headline the Ultimate Fighting Championship's debut event in Germany at UFC 99 on June 13 at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne.

Franklin recently moved back up to the light heavyweight division from the 185-pound weight class. Silva has stated his intentions to move down to middleweight after competing his entire career in heavier divisions. Their UFC 99 main event bout will take place at a catchweight of 195 pounds.

"I met Rich in the middle," UFC president Dana White said of the decision for the catchweight. "Rich didn't want to cut weight. He didn't want to go back to 85, and Wanderlei hasn't been to 85 yet."

Franklin fought the first half of his career as a light heavyweight before switching divisions and capturing the UFC 185-pound crown from the late Evan Tanner at UFC 53 in June of 2005. After losing to current middleweight titleholder Anderson Silva twice, Franklin decided to return to light heavyweight. Since making the transition back to 205 pounds, Franklin has defeated Matt Hamill and lost a razor close decision to Dan Henderson.

After losing three of his last four outings as a light heavyweight, Silva made the choice to move down to middleweight. He's spent much of his storied career fighting bigger opponents, but before shedding the 20 pounds to weigh in at 185, Silva will only have to make it half way there for his scheduled 195-pound match with Franklin.

The UFC doesn't usually do catchweight bouts unless a fighter fails to make weight, like Joe Riggs against Matt Hughes at UFC 56 or Travis Lutter against Anderson Silva at UFC 67. But the UFC has put together catchweight bouts, such as Matt Hughes vs. Royce Gracie at UFC 60, if it's a match up the fans want to see. Wanderlei Silva and Rich Franklin definitely fit into that category.

"I think it's a fun fight and it will be a fun fight to watch," said White.

Regardless of the outcome, Franklin will continue to compete at light heavyweight while Silva is expected to debut as a middleweight in his next scheduled bout following the Franklin fight.

I think this a good thing for Wanderlei. In Pride they never had to cut weight unless it was for the title belts so he isn't to used to cutting such a huge amount.

[Move BRICKS™]

Silva's got a few more knockouts left in him. Franklin better hope that Wanderlei doesn't come with that classic murderous fury, because I don't think that Rich has the ability to counter on the level needed to put Wanderlei away.

[jakkups]

Franklin has the ability to counter a wide open brawler like Wanderlei. Plus he'd be able to take Wanderlei's shots IMO. Hell Hendo gave Franklin some huge shots and Rich kept coming forward like a soldier. And with Wanderlei's chin now in question it wouldn't surprise me if the weight cut would sapp his strength and leave him vulnerable to an early night.

[Mozza]

You have to love guys like Franklin and Wanderlei. Neither of them ever takes an easy fight.

[Move BRICKS™]

Franklin has the ability to counter a wide open brawler like Wanderlei. Plus he'd be able to take Wanderlei's shots IMO. Hell Hendo gave Franklin some huge shots and Rich kept coming forward like a soldier. And with Wanderlei's chin now in question it wouldn't surprise me if the weight cut would sapp his strength and leave him vulnerable to an early night.

I disagree, the only time Franklin has come across a superior striker (Anderson Silva) than Wanderlei, he has been brutally knocked out twice. Wanderlei has undeniable ferocity and power left in his stand up game, this cannot be contested. Wide open, chin shot, too old; All of these things can be taken into account but are also still somewhat irrelevant. The fact is that Wanderlei doesn't need distance or time. Wanderlei, regardless of his age and time left in the sport, has the possibility of getting rid of you at any time in the fight with either of his hands.

And there's also Franklin having a glass chin.

[The Gully Gad]

Silva will blitz through Franklin like a hot knife through butter

He aint on the level that Silva is at...

[jakkups]

I disagree, the only time Franklin has come across a superior striker (Anderson Silva) than Wanderlei, he has been brutally knocked out twice. Wanderlei has undeniable ferocity and power left in his stand up game, this cannot be contested. Wide open, chin shot, too old; All of these things can be taken into account but are also still somewhat irrelevant. The fact is that Wanderlei doesn't need distance or time. Wanderlei, regardless of his age and time left in the sport, has the possibility of getting rid of you at any time in the fight with either of his hands.

And there's also Franklin having a glass chin.

Wanderlei isn't a good striker, he can brawl, that's about it, he is knowhere near the level of Anderson or Lyoto, he's more comparable to a street fighter. And against Anderson he was stopped not put to sleep, big difference, plus it took a barrage of strikes to do that. He hasn't got a glass chin, the fight with Hendo proved that. And he has heart to match. Wanderlei has been KTFO 3 times in his last 5 fights. His chin is gone. His style is tailored made for guys who have good footwork, which Franklin has and know how to counter, of which Franklin is great at. I see Wanderlei doing what he always does which is to come forward and get tagged at will. People always criticise Franklin's power and fail to mention that 13 of his 24 wins have been by T(KO) and out of those 24 wins 2 have gone the distance. Also he's the naturally bigger guy, and carrys his power better than most guys do.

[Move BRICKS™]

Wanderlei isn't a good striker, he can brawl, that's about it, he is knowhere near the level of Anderson or Lyoto, he's more comparable to a street fighter. And against Anderson he was stopped not put to sleep, big difference, plus it took a barrage of strikes to do that. He hasn't got a glass chin, the fight with Hendo proved that. And he has heart to match. Wanderlei has been KTFO 3 times in his last 5 fights. His chin is gone. His style is tailored made for guys who have good footwork, which Franklin has and know how to counter, of which Franklin is great at. I see Wanderlei doing what he always does which is to come forward and get tagged at will. People always criticise Franklin's power and fail to mention that 13 of his 24 wins have been by T(KO) and out of those 24 wins 2 have gone the distance. Also he's the naturally bigger guy, and carrys his power better than most guys do.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this one old friend..

AND BET ALL OF OUR GODDAMN POINTS LETS DO IT BRO,
TOSS BACK THE GODDAMN BREWS
AND THROW ALL OF OUR **** INTO THE FUCKING FIRE.