Rich Franklin vs Wanderlei Silva
by Dr. Octagon, J.D.
Finally, the only fight worth paying for on this card. The injury-ravaged UFC really has to stop putting on so many cards, if this is the best they can do for a Pay Per View. This is a senior-circuit matchup between two formerly-great fan favorites. Hopefully they will put on a better fight than the last two snoozers.
This fight is being fought at catchweight. They’re fighting at 190 lbs. Last time they fought at a catchweight of 195 and Rich “Ace” Franklin won. Franklin is filling in for the injured Vitor Belfort, who broke his hand. Live updates after the jump:[[MORE]]
Round 1: Wanderlei Silva lands a nice right on Rich’s kick. Ace with a leg kick. Rich with the straight left. Rich with a right. Wanderlei landed a big head kick, but Rich caught it. Both fighters landed a punch while the kick was caught. Silva with a left. Rich caught Silva with a right hand there. Rich landed two punches. Franklin is picking Silva apart with crisper punches and kicks. Nice punch kick combo from Franklin. Franklin landed another couple of punches. Wanderlei needs to start going forward. He’s getting picked apart. Rich keeps popping Wanderlie, but eats a big head kick. Rich with a jab. Wanderlei with a head kick, which Ace Blocks. Franklin pops Wanderlei, but Silva returns fire. Head kick by Franklin.
Round 2: Wanderlei lands a left hook. Wanderlei lands a right. Leg kick from Wanderlei who falls down. Wanderlei is bleeding from the nose. Wanderlei threw another big head kick. Wanderlei with a front kick to Fanklin’s face. Franklin hit Wanderlei with two rights. Rich landing a couple of punches against the cage and Wanderlei counterstrikes. Wanderlei is getting beat up, but he is still dangerous. He apparently wants to counterpunch. Wanderlei with a nice head kick. Rich’s boxing just looks sharper. Wanderlei lands a nice combination of his own. Wanderlei gets popped a few times, but lands a right in response.
Wanderlei comes forward and lands a nice left to the face. Wanderlei lands a knee from the clinch and Ace is hurt. Wanderlei lands a left and rich is really hurt. Wanderlei comes back and lands a right on the button. Rich goes down and Wanderlei swarms with hammerfists. Rich is able to work to the feet and get a single, hanging on for dear life. Wanderlei gets his back and pounds him. Franklin retreats further and to the center of the ring and Wanderlei beats his head like a drum for about 10 seconds as Mario Yamasaki doesn’t call the fight and waits for the round to end.
Yamasaki could have ended the fight a few times, but gave Ace the benefit of the doubt. So Ace took a savage beating instead.
Round 3: Wanderlei is so much better coming forward, but he seems to prefer to let Rich push the action. Rich with a nice left hoo to the body. Wanderlei with a head kick that is blocked. Bodyshot by Franklin. Franklin working the jab. Body kick by Franklin. Franklin with a head kick that misses. Body kick by Rich. Nice jabs from Franklin. Wanderlei looks tired and his nose looks broken. Body kick by Franklin. Nice jab from Franklin. Franklin works the body lock and gets the takedown. Franklin gets a crucifix position and is raining down elbows. Rich postures up and pops Wanderlei as the round ends.
10-9 Franklin.
Round 4: Wanderlei lands a big right hand. Rich lands the jab to the nose again. Wanderlei throws a big head kick. Rich with lands the jab. Rich landed a nice left there. Right hook by Ace. Ace ripping a left to the body. Wanderlei lands a right. Hey we’re due for a penis shot, don’t you think? BAM! Full speed kick from the Axe Murder. Rich is landing a lot of punches. Wanderlei lands a big right on a Franklin kick. Wanderlie attacks as the round ends.
Round 5: I have Franklin up one right now. If Wanderlei wins this round it might be a draw. Wanderlei’s nose is badly broken. The fighters hug in the center of the ring. Franklin is coming forward. Wanderlei has been told by his corner that he needs to win this round. He should be coming forward. Franklin lands a left. Wanderlei lands a left hook. Ace returns with a body punch. Wnaderlei throws a huge shot and misses. Franklin keeps landing his “buttery jab” as his corner calls it. That jab is winning him the fight.
Left hook by Franklin. Wanderlei needs to get moving. He’s going to have to retire after this one. Wanderlie starts coming forward, but just eats a bunch more jabs. Wanderlei lands a big right. Wanderlei wants some action and is swarming. Franklin wants none of it. Franklin is backing up, but landing the jab. Franklin better win this round. Fighters swinging wildly and Rich catches Wanderlei as the round ends.
I have that round 10-9 Franklin.
I’ve got the fight scored 48-46 for Franklin
Judges score it 49-46 for Rich Franklin unanimously. No one gave a 10-8 round in round 2. Some judges just never give them out. Franlin speaks some Portugese. Rich Franklin just said that if he’s being honest, he doesn’t really remember the third and fourth rounds. Says he was operating on autopilot. Franklin is really funny and put on a great show for a guy who was a fill in. Ace says he wants to make another title run. Great comeback from Ace who was in a ton of trouble in the second and if he had a ref other than Yamasaki, he might have lost this fight.