How would prime Rich “Ace” Franklin do in today’s MW division?

[pankrat]

He wasn't huge by any means. Every single one of the old time MW (And many of the "fat" WW) fought as a 200ish pounder because the 185ish divisions weren't really a thing.

If you don't allow for any ajustement, then this game is silly.

Prime Anderson beats Izzy with ease. You have a gooffy concept of prime if you think thar Franklin retired in his prime.

- Rich handles pre-Parrillo Bisping with ease. Beats Parrillo Bisping too.
- Rich does things to GSP that Serra wouldn't dream
- A tricky lefty like RIch could have done to Rockhold what Bisping did

Three fairly recent MW champs

Rich Franklin was definitely big for a MW. Actually he only fough there 10 times and often fought cathweight bouts because he had problems making weight and he was a posterboy for the UFC so they allowed them to do so. He was also ahead of his time in terms of nutrition and conditioning.

Luke Rockhold would manhandle Franklin with his grappling. I mean, Okami and Lutter put Rich in very bad positions. Not only took him down but also mounted him with not much difficulty. Rockhold would rape him.

Franklin vs Bisping would be an interesting battle. I actually favour Rich in that match-up but Bisping was a better deffensive grappler.

 

[Choco]

Rich Franklin was definitely big for a MW. Actually he only fough there 10 times and often fought cathweight bouts because he had problems making weight and he was a posterboy for the UFC so they allowed them to do so. He was also ahead of his time in terms of nutrition and conditioning.

It's unfair to blame the "Franklinweight" figths to Rich being the posterboy for the UFC when the first was Wandy coming from LHW to MW, the second one to allow Vitor to replace Hendo at short notice, and the third one Rich himself stepping up at short notice to replacing Vitor, (against Wandy of all people).

I confess I liked Rich, Call me naive but he is one of the very few few I bet he was actually all natty. I would bet 5 euros tops, though.

 

[pankrat]

It's unfair to blame the "Franklinweight" figths to Rich being the posterboy for the UFC when the first was Wandy coming from LHW to MW, the second one to allow Vitor to replace Hendo at short notice, and the third one Rich himself stepping up at short notice to replacing Vitor, (against Wandy of all people).

I confess I liked Rich, Call me naive but he is one of the very few few I bet he was actually all natty. I would bet 5 euros tops, though.

Yeah, you might be right regarding the cathweight bouts he had.

I do like Rich, I think he tends to be a bit overrated in these boards. Maybe because he is a very likeable character and was a posterboy for UFC back in the day.

Not sure if he was all natty though. Yeah I would bet he was, maybe 10 euros lol