Rich Franklin vs. Matt Hammil UFC 88 Atlanta

[docpound]

What a fight this is going to be all ohio! Cleveland V Cinncinati! One thing though is Matt going down or is Rich going up here? I'd assume that Rich is moving up given his comments about fighting everyone exciting that he could in the division (185) and now he wants to try 205 well guess what Rich you might just get that crack you secretly want against Anderson but at 205 wow this sets the stage for all sorts of different story lines.


Personally I think that Matt Hammil is a very scarey dude and has lots of problems he's ready to give Rich. I think we all know this isn't the same Matt Hammil from the show he's improved in so many ways, striking striking striking. Rich will not be able to stand there and bang wtih him he's very strong at 205 plus this is a different fight for Rich in not having to cut as much weight will he be stronger or will it effect him at all. I can't wait I was so close to buying tickets and taking the trip now I'm mad I didn't how awesome is this fight wow I can't weight

[MrFurious87]

That is going to be an awesome fight.:) I think Matt has just about every advantage there is over Rich....Striking, ground & pound and the weight difference is going to affect Rich I think. Matt is used to fighting at that weigh, and now Frankiln has to get used to fighting the larger guys.

I think Rich still has a good chance though, especially when I look at some of Matt's fights, I.E. when he fought against Bisping(he got pretty worked over).

[docpound]

I don't know though Rich fought at 205 most recently Ken Shamrock until he ran into Loyoto and decided he wasn't big enough to fight at 205 so he's got experiance at 205 Matt will probably be stronger Rich will be alot faster and we all saw what that did for Forrest I think Rich can implement the same style of game plan staying outside only difference is that Rich has power enough to put Matt to sleep with a punch. He hasn't fought anyone on Rich's level but I think he's in that area in his fight career that this is an even fight and wow the title implications are a pleanty for Matt if he can beat Rich no matter the weight class he's going to get a real boost.

[MrFurious87]

I agree, I think that is going to be the biggest problem for Matt. Rich had better standup, and even though Matt has been working on it, it's not his forte, as it is pretty much for Rich.

Matt will overpower Rich though, and if it goes to the ground, Rich is going to have some real problems. All this talk though, making me want to see this one happen now. Lol.

[PaxZRake]

Personally, I'd rather see Rich stay at 185 and fight Hendo.

I don't see either fighter having a ton to gain from this fight. I think it will be a good fight, but I don't see the wisdom of taking contenders away from the 185 division. 205 is huge as is, 185 needs solid opponents and fresh blood.

[docpound]

I don't see either fighter having a ton to gain from this fight. I think it will be a good fight, but I don't see the wisdom of taking contenders away from the 185 division. 205 is huge as is, 185 needs solid opponents and fresh blood.

Rich is simply burnt out from fighting 185 he feels he's fought everyone there is or exciting fights at least, I personally was waiting for The Count to get caught by Ace since he decided to drop down. You know if it's what Rich wants to do then that's ok with me. I think this is Rich's way of getting solid foe's and everyone he fights will be fresh meat since it's different weight class.

Also just because he does it once dosen't mean that's where he has to stay I'd love to see him tangle with Henderson and Nate the Great for that matter.

[MrFurious87]

I would love to see Bisping fight against Franklin. That would be one of my alltime favorite fights. The Count is probably my favorite fighter to date, and Rich is an exciting guy to watch.:)

[darthdufus]

Rich is gonna be too much for Hammil, he's still a rookie and is still develpoing his stand-up. Although if matt can take him down and hold him there i can see him eeking out a decision because Franklin's ground game is somewhat lacking. Although i think that is unlikely I'm picking Rich Franklin by TKO in round 2

[docpound]

Franklin's got a great ground game thing is how often do you see him on his back? He's got really good stand up but Matt Hammil isn't edwin dwees he's got lots of power and his striking is much improved where it now plays into a fight. Matt's had lots of fights in the UFC he's fought Bisping on his home turf and basiclly worked him over. I think he's a game opponet for Rich and if he loses he can always drop down.