[phillybadboy]

i think i'm right

[jin2daj]

i think rich's only chance is via UD, he doesnt seem to have that 1hit KO power

[shady610]

doubt it. i lost my respect for him when he gave me his 6 week excuse loss to vitor

[phillybadboy]

doubt it. i lost my respect for him when he gave me his 6 week excuse loss to vitor

i hear u dog, but if u want plus dollars bet on franklin

[moneyplays]

Can you explain how Rich is going to beat Chuck? I think this is the perfect matchup for Chuck.

- Chuck has great takedown defense, do you see Rich taking him down?
- If they go toe to toe, Chuck knocks him out

This couldn't be a better fight for Chuck to rebound. If he loses, well... Guess he's retiring.

[Tree Rollins]

I thought so too until i saw a picture of liddell after training a couple weeks ago. He was shredded and looked to be in as good a shape as i can remember. Franklin showed a glass jaw against Vitor and he hasn't had as much time to train as Chuck. Also, Rich has been off for a while. Might be a little rusty.

Edit: Chuck has been off longer. So rust shouldn't be an issue. You guys got me on that one.

[Vaughany]

I thought so too until i saw a picture of liddell after training a couple weeks ago. He was shredded and looked to be in as good a shape as i can remember. Franklin showed a glass jaw against Vitor and he hasn't had as much time to train as Chuck. Also, Rich has been off for a while. Might be a little rusty.

I think Chuck has been off for slightly longer! He's going to be the one who is rusty!

[brooks85]

franklin didnt show a glass jaw vs vitor

vitor clocked rich in the side of the head, then punched him 3 times in the back of the head but he was already done for anyways. And chuck doesnt have vitors power or speed, or striking style.

Rich's chin is top notch. It has never cost him in a fight, chuck can not say the same. Lyoto headkicked rich followed by punches, and silva worked the body with knees twice for his other 3 ko's. Rich took solid shots from wandy and hendo right in the kissa and survived.

[Eccocide]

I think Chuck has been off for slightly longer! He's going to be the one who is rusty!

He's been training for almost the whole time he has been off. He got in shape for Dancing with the Stars (made that weight bet with dana and won). He did a 6-week mini camp before going on TUF because he wanted to be in fighting shape to train them. Now he's done a 12-week camp for the fight. Theres a big difference between ballooning up to 250lb, not training for almost a year and then kicking it into gear for a normal training camp. When you've been training for the full year you have been off, ring rust isnt as much of a factor. Chuck has said in multiple interviews that he's having no issues with his timing and angles and he's been ready to fight for a while.

And I dont think either guy has chin issues. Rich got hit right on the temple, it was lights out. Chucks chin issues are vastly overblown. He was totally off balance and turned sideways with no time to react when he got blasted full power by Rashad. No one was going to take that punch. And we saw what kind of power Shogun has in his hands. Add to this the fact that Chuck has let his brain rest for a year, it can do nothing but help.

[Chairib]

And I dont think either guy has chin issues. Rich got hit right on the temple, it was lights out. Chucks chin issues are vastly overblown. He was totally off balance and turned sideways with no time to react when he got blasted full power by Rashad. No one was going to take that punch. And we saw what kind of power Shogun has in his hands. Add to this the fact that Chuck has let his brain rest for a year, it can do nothing but help.

Very, very good observation. People seem to forget that Rich was fighting Vitor Belfort. Say what you will about the guy's heart, Vitor's never lost his power. A shot to the temple ended it but in a span of a couple of seconds I counted six or seven punches that landed on Rich's head. I don't know too many fighters who could survive one of those instances where Belfort can unload multiple punches.

[Tree Rollins]

I think Chuck has been off for slightly longer! He's going to be the one who is rusty!

Good point!

[Tree Rollins]

Very, very good observation. People seem to forget that Rich was fighting Vitor Belfort. Say what you will about the guy's heart, Vitor's never lost his power. A shot to the temple ended it but in a span of a couple of seconds I counted six or seven punches that landed on Rich's head. I don't know too many fighters who could survive one of those instances where Belfort can unload multiple punches.

Vitor has lost speed. And speed equals power. Vitor isn't the same striker he once was. Eccocide is right though. I forgot that punch hit him either behind the ear or in the temple, it just landed in the right spot.

[Tree Rollins]

I think Chuck has been off for slightly longer! He's going to be the one who is rusty!

You're right. I'm making myself look like a dummy!

[Chairib]

Vitor has lost speed. And speed equals power. Vitor isn't the same striker he once was. Eccocide is right though. I forgot that punch hit him either behind the ear or in the temple, it just landed in the right spot.

Have you even watched his most recent fights? It's completely obvious that not only is his speed fine but the power is there as well. This fight with Franklin and the previous fight with Matt Lindland are prefect examples of his striking power. Vitor's issues has always been with angles and footwork.

His striking is most effective when he is either:

1) Striking an opponent who is on the ground. - This Franklin fight and the previous with Lindland were text book Vitor Belfort fights in that regard. He is very good at delivering shots to a downed opponent. Not only are his strikes powerful and fast but he's very accurate with his ground and pound. Not much difference between these two fights and his earliest fights against Tank Abbott or John Hess.

2) Up against an opponent who doesn't use angles, movement, or only move either straight back or forward. His striking has developed since the earlier days where the punches were delivered in like an old school Kung Fu or Karate straight blast. Striking wise his major issues has always been footwork and angles.

If he's got a guy like Wanderlei who wades straight in, Franklin or Lindland who both make the mistake of standing right in front of him Vitor's striking becomes a factor. His speed is what stopped those guys. He uses his speed to overwhelm them with a flurry of punches. It's no different than his fight with Tre Tellingman. But when he's fighting guys who circle away and who can strike and move, he's got a significantly harder time. His first fight with Couture is a great example of this, as Randy worked the clinch and circled right. Vitor couldn't even get his offense started.

[Tree Rollins]

Have you even watched his most recent fights? It's completely obvious that not only is his speed fine but the power is there as well. This fight with Franklin and the previous fight with Matt Lindland are prefect examples of his striking power. Vitor's issues has always been with angles and footwork.

His striking is most effective when he is either:

1) Striking an opponent who is on the ground. - This Franklin fight and the previous with Lindland were text book Vitor Belfort fights in that regard. He is very good at delivering shots to a downed opponent. Not only are his strikes powerful and fast but he's very accurate with his ground and pound. Not much difference between these two fights and his earliest fights against Tank Abbott or John Hess.

2) Up against an opponent who doesn't use angles, movement, or only move either straight back or forward. His striking has developed since the earlier days where the punches were delivered in like an old school Kung Fu or Karate straight blast. Striking wise his major issues has always been footwork and angles.

If he's got a guy like Wanderlei who wades straight in, Franklin or Lindland who both make the mistake of standing right in front of him Vitor's striking becomes a factor. His speed is what stopped those guys. He uses his speed to overwhelm them with a flurry of punches. It's no different than his fight with Tre Tellingman. But when he's fighting guys who circle away and who can strike and move, he's got a significantly harder time. His first fight with Couture is a great example of this, as Randy worked the clinch and circled right. Vitor couldn't even get his offense started.

You're right. His speed and fine and his power is there as well. That doesn't mean his speed is what it once was, or that his power is as good as it once was. It's there, but it isn't exactly the same

[JuicedUp]

i think rich's only chance is via UD, he doesnt seem to have that 1hit KO power

tell that to Nate Quarry.

[phillybadboy]

Chuck has lost 4 out of his last 5 fights. good god.

listen to this man, and don't hurt your little brains anymore

[doubleleg]

Definitely Rich.

[Gee]

Legends of the sport.

5 years ago i would have been REALLY excited for this fight. i still want to see the fight, because i've wanted to see this fight for a long time... After Franklin lost to Machida at 205 in 2003, i wanted either of them to fight chuck or tito, depending on who was the champ! They were always going to make it big... but, alas - Rich didn't stay at 205 and machida wasn't signed up.

its all pretty meaningless now - who is the best in the pensioner's division...

[Retibol]

Better stay away from this, could go either way

[need4speed]

i like franklin alot at -140 now

[Tree Rollins]

If this fight somehow goes to decision, Rich Franklin will have to completely dominate Chuck to win. It's the same deal with Randy Couture. You don't want to go to a decision with Randy or Chuck because you know they'll always getting the benefit of the doubt from the judges.

[Vaughany]

Got 0.5 units on Franklin to win by decision at +300 and 0.4 units on Chuck to win by KO/TKO at +210....cheeky straddle!

[Eccocide]

If this fight somehow goes to decision, Rich Franklin will have to completely dominate Chuck to win. It's the same deal with Randy Couture. You don't want to go to a decision with Randy or Chuck because you know they'll always getting the benefit of the doubt from the judges.

Keith Jardine disagrees.

[wake14]

i just cant see how Chuck can still be the headliner .. UFC is like WWE a ppv once a month, its too much, much too much.

[Shane]

I've been leaning heavily towards Franklin for months, but like a true noob I won't be locking anything in until after I watch the Countdown show tonight.

[vassman86]

Can you explain how Rich is going to beat Chuck? I think this is the perfect matchup for Chuck. - Chuck has great takedown defense, do you see Rich taking him down? - If they go toe to toe, Chuck knocks him out This couldn't be a better fight for Chuck to rebound. If he loses, well... Guess he's retiring.

Well said. If Liddell is going to knock someone out, it'd be against an opponent with a weak chin like Franklin. I also think Liddell's take down defense is amazing.

[Vrakas]

my money is on chuck.the man is cut and ready.

[playa420]

I dont see how Liddell can win this fight.Chucks 40,coming off a long layoff, and is 1-4 in his last 5 fights.In the 4 loses 3 where by KO and the other was a loss to kieth jardine,lol.Chucks slowed way down and his chin has softend up.Anything can happen in mma, but I dont see how a washed up chuck can win. Rich is gonna be able to pick apart chuck, and get a ko or ud.

[Pabinator]

Chuck is gonna lose, he only has the lucky punch chance

[Tree Rollins]

Keith Jardine disagrees.

Brandon Vera doesn't.

[Eccocide]

Brandon Vera doesn't.

I must've missed when Chuck and Vera fought, meanwhile them going to a decision....

If you are talking about the Couture/Vera decision, I'm not exactly sure what that has to do with Chuck. None of Chucks decision wins were anywhere close to questionable or where the judges felt they had to give it to him.

[phillybadboy]

I must've missed when Chuck and Vera fought, meanwhile them going to a decision....

If you are talking about the Couture/Vera decision, I'm not exactly sure what that has to do with Chuck. None of Chucks decision wins were anywhere close to questionable or where the judges felt they had to give it to him.

Tree Rollins is all confused, he' a prolific writer though, but talks alot of nonesense, i still think its gona be frankilin

[BIGDAY]

Got 0.5 units on Franklin to win by decision at +300 and 0.4 units on Chuck to win by KO/TKO at +210....cheeky straddle!

I like that play a lot! Best of Luck!