Rumors are currently circulating that former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin will move back up to the light heavyweight division and fight Matt Hamill at UFC 88 this September.
Franklin last fought at light heavyweight back in 2005 when he defeated Ken Shamrock at the original Ultimate Fighter Finale. Franklin has struggled lately in the middleweight division solely because of the complete domination of current middleweight champion Anderson Silva. Two of Franklin’s last five fights have been losses to Silva and another was a close victory over Yushin Okami where he nearly lost by armbar in the third round.
With his inability to get past Anderson Silva, Franklin’s options are limited in the middleweight division and a move up to light heavyweight will create some new matchup opportunities. Matt Hamill has spent his whole MMA career fighting for the UFC and currently holds a 4-1 record. His only loss came against Michael Bisping at UFC 75 in a fight that 99% of fight fans agree Hamill truly won. Most recently Hamill defeated Tim Boetsch via TKO at UFC Fight Night 13.
UFC 88 is currently scheduled for September 6 in Atlanta, GA and will be headlined by Chuck Liddell vs Rashad Evans.
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do u guys think it must suck that franklin must of been thinking of moving up for a while then all of the sudden he hears silva’s also moving up.
I think Anderson is only moving up for this fight and possibly one or two more down the road, but will remain at middleweight.
Franklin will probably stay at 205 unless Silva gets beaten and he can somehow work back into the 185 title picture.
i think hamil gets the upset here
im thinking the same thing.
Maybe im a bit biased because im a big Franklin fan, but hey, if im with Rich against Silva TWICE im definatly with my boy against Hamil. Though to be honest i think Franklin is much better at MW, hes a MONSTER at MW.
You notice in that rock paper scissors video how much bigger Rich was than Wanderlei? and Wandy fights at LHW. Hes huge man..
yeah man Rich is a big boy. the Franklin vs. Hamill should be good and i hope it does indeed happen, Hamill just seems to get beat up so bad no matter who he fights even if he win and Rich can make it through a war no problem. i see Rich bringing this kid into the pits hell and coming out on top just because hes more battle tested and can stand on his own two feet by him self when its over. Hamill will be a very good fighter someday but first hes gonna need to take about 200 or 300 more beating in the gym so he can get use to it and have a fight where he doesnt spend the night in the hospital afterwards.
and judging by some of the fighters you like it makes me think your a Miletich fan, is that the truth? man i remember back when i thought “whoa, where did all these Miletich guys come from? these guys are awesome!”
oh for sure man, Miletich came HARD look at how many champs came out of that camp and ran that team like an army man. Guys basically living there absolutely immersed in training man, thats dedication and love for the sport. Very similar to Chute boxe in the sense that theyre like a family. Tons of respect for those guys i think they were pioneers of the sport too in a way. I think they had the best wrestling/BJJ hybrid style at the time.
Pat himself was a great fighter too, though i was going crazy when Newton beat Miletich for the WW title.. Gotta support the cakers man hehe. Plus Carlos is one of the only fighters ive ever met, so that added to it a bit too.
yeah i didnt like Newton at first for some reason but he grew on me quick. the Miletich camp is what made me realize that if you put a bunch of really good fighters together and train like crazy its hard to stop any of them.