As Rich “Ace” Franklin prepares to face his arch-nemesis Anderson Silva in a rematch for the UFC Middleweight championship, I can’t help but notice all the anti-Franklin sentiment on the net these days.
As I sit down to write about this phenomenon, I ask myself: Why? Why do so many MMA fans hate Rich so much? He seems like a stand up kind of guy.
Wait a tick…… I hate Rich Franklin!
But for the life of me, I couldn’t give you one solid reason why.
Could it be I’m just that big of an Anderson Silva fan? No, that‘s not it. Jealousy? I don’t think so. Is it the fact that he looks like he’s Jim Carey’s twin brother separated at birth? Not that either……..
I think in my case at least, I get the sense that he thinks he’s god’s gift but just won’t come right out and say it. As if he’s “in the closet” with his arrogance. Allegedly, he auctioned off a ten minute telephone conversation with himself on eBay and some poor sap paid $5,000 for the privilege.
That’s right folks! For the low, low price of just 5 G’s, you too can talk to Rich Franklin for 10 minutes! That’s only $500 a minute!!! You almost can’t afford not to call!!!
…………. Ummmmm, I think I’ll pass. I know a guy who will sell me his PS3, 5 games and a 1977 Gremlin with a full tank of gas for less than $5,000.
Now, I must defend Rich here: He is a good guy at heart, there’s no doubting that. He donated the entire $5k to charity. But COME ON Rich. How high on yourself do you have to be to charge somebody thousands of dollars just to talk to you? At least give the guy something he can keep like a signed picture or pair of gloves!
Now keep in mind: This is all just speculation. Yours truly didn’t actually SEE the auction on Ebay. This could all be bogus so don’t go changing your opinion on Ace based on this hearsay. Remember kiddies: Rumors are bad! But sometimes, they’re true. And personally, I wouldn’t put it past Rich. You can see it in the eyes I tell ya!
After taking some time to recover from the shock of UFC 76, I would like to analyze the current rash of upset victories plaguing not only the UFC, but MMA as a sport in general.
First of all. Lets dispel a myth: It’s not just former Pride fighters coming over to the UFC and getting smoked by seemingly easy prey. Sure that’s been happening. But that’s not all that’s been happening.
In fact, I personally think this “Bizarro World” or whatever you want to call it began back at Pride’s Second Coming PPV in February. That night, in 4 of the 5 main bouts major upsets occurred. Nick Diaz toppled then ranked #1 Lightweight Takanori Gomi. Complete unkown Sokoudjou knocked out heavily favoured Minotoro Nogueira. And most shockingly of all, Dan Henderson (moving up in weight) dethroned Pride 205 lbs kingpin Wanderlei Silva. Silva had at that time held the title for over 5 years.
Here is a list of what I would consider to be SHOCKING upsets since then:
Sokoudjou knocks out Ricardo Arona at Pride 34
Randy Couture def. Tim Sylvia
Matt Serra dominates GSP
Gabe Gonzaga knocks out Cro Cop with Filipovic’s own trademark head kick
Unknown fighter Houston Alexander knocks out Keith Jardine
Cheick Kongo def. Cro Cop
Forrest Griffin submits Shogun
Keith Jardine def. Chuck Liddell
That’s a pretty healthy list of top 10 guys, beaten by mostly unseeded fighters.
So, what can we learn from looking at this list? Well, only 2 Pride fighters appear in the “lost to UFC fighters” category so I guess it’s safe to say that isn’t the core of the problem. Second, notice that Keith Jardine appears in both the “win” and “loss” column of our little list which brings me to my point (I knew I had one!).
The point is more mismatches are being made these days than ever before. Usually in an effort to “showcase” a fighter against a lesser opponent. I believe the recent unpredictability is due in part to this type of mismatching. These “elite” fights simply aren’t taking their lesser known opponents seriously.
If you don’t believe me, just listen to Jardine’s comments before the Alexander fight. He said he didn’t think he should “Have to fight this guy” implying that he was so superior to Alexander that there would be no point in the bout occurring at all.
Now how hard do you think old Kiethy boy trained for that fight?
Cro Cop is also one who is notorious for underestimating his opponents. *cough* Kevin Randleman *cough*
In a sport with 4 ounce gloves, where knees, elbows and choking are all fair game - you can’t afford to underestimate ANYONE.
From Snoop Dogg to Axl Rose, a well placed nickname can make or break a career. It’s the same thing with MMA fighters. Everyone knows who “The Natural” is. Everyone knows who “Rampage” is. UFC76 features some of the best well-known, and some of the worst unknown, nicknames perhaps in UFC history.
So what’s in a name? Let’s go through the nicknames of the fighters in UFC76: Knockout, and give a little love to those guys who don’t even have one.
Chuck Liddell – The Iceman
If not the most famous name in MMA, then damn near close. Chuck fights (and gives interviews) like he has ice-water in his veins.
Excellent rhyme-scheme here. Implies he oversees the teaching of mean at some kind of school, whatever that means. Still, if he’s the Dean, what does that make Houston Alexander? The Chancellor of Mean?
Mauricio Rua – Shogun
Wikipedia defines shogun as:
The term sei-i taishogun means “great general who subdues the eastern barbarians.”[1] “Eastern barbarian” is one of several ancient terms for various groups who lived in eastern area and had not yet become subject to the central government. Among them were the aboriginal Ainu people who once inhabited Honsh? in addition to Hokkaid?.
Minamoto no Yoritomo, the first shogun of the Kamakura shogunate, seized considerable power from the aristocracy in Kyoto. He became the practical ruler of Japan, and received the title sei-i taish?gun. Thereafter, the heads of three successive shogunates received the same title.
Considering he’s from Brazil, and fought in Japan, this may be the coolest nickname ever bestowed upon someone who comes from a land that’s best known for single-named soccer freaks. Fack. I bet Pride fans basically offered up their daughters as gifts to him.
Kinda puts the years you were called Booger in perspective dunnit?
Forrest Griffin – no nickname
Come on Forrest. Your first name is Forrest, for crying out loud. The Dark Forrest? No? Um…Can’t see the Forrest for the Knees? No that’s dumb. How about Detective McGriff? Huh? A crime fighting dog? No? Dammit. Ok, no nickname.
Diego Sanchez – Nightmare
Solid nickname. I’m still disappointed he didn’t go with Dirty Sanchez and make the throat cutting motion before every fight, but across his top-lip as opposed to his neck.
*Sigh* Dana White, I thought you were a marketing genius?
Jon Fitch – no nickname
The way this kid fights, he deserves a nickname. Too bad Chris Benoit ruined the “crippler” because that would be perfect. Still, I guess saying “Jon Fitch, Bitch!” works, even if it is a little 2004.
Kazuhiro Nakamura – Kaz
Nice original nickname there Kaz. Not even Big Kaz or anything.
“Hey, who’s that?”"
“Oh it’s just Kaz”
Blech.
Lyoto Machida – no nickname
The Lyoto Accord? Cmon! Too highbrow you say? Well if naming a fighter after a failed set of environmental standards is highbrow, then call me Highbrow McGee. I think they sometimes call him Ryoto?
Thiago Tavares – no nickname
Begs for the nickname “Terror” doesn’t he? Still, I think Latin American’s pronounce “Thiago” as “Chiago” so I have no idea what would work there. Oh Latin America, you’re adorable what with your different pronunciations and constant pervasive poverty.
Tyson Griffin – no nickname
Dude. Your name is Tyson. Go with “Iron Tyson Griffin”, either that or pretty soon I’ll start calling him “The Lesser of Two Griffins”
Anthony Johnson – Rumble
Love it. Next.
Rich Clementi – No Love
WTF? Did I miss something? Was there ever a “Love” fighter? Yeah, we get it, you don’t like the guy. You’re not in love with him. I’m sure that will distract him while you throw fists at him. If his opponent doesn’t weep with despair though, I think he’ll be ok.
Diego Savaria – The Octopus
Best nickname to imply that he’s a killer wrestler and is “all over you” besides Diego “Lindsay Lohan in a nightclub” Savaria.
Jeremy Stephens – Lil’ Heathen
I get it, but I don’t get it. Are heathens tough? Is Lil’ really an appropriate moniker for a fighter? Basically I’m picturing Damien from the Omen, and while creepy and a little disturbing, I’m pretty sure I could choke the lil’ fucker out in Round 1.
Scott Junk – no nickname
Junk-Yard Dog? No? Nobody?
Junk in the Trunk? Bah! I’m giving you gold here people. GOLD!
Christian Wellisch – The Hungarian Nightmare
Never mind that his real name sounds like he’s a British Lord, I thought the Hungarian Nightmare was actually going to Hungary.
*shudders*
And finally, our grand prize nickname champions of UFC76
Michihiro Omigawa – Micci
Vs.
Matt Wiman – Handsome
Ugh. You’re supposed to be tough as nails, so you choose “Handsome” and “Micci” as your nicknames. Really?
Handsome actually makes me want to hurt you, while Micci sounds like either a mouse or that annoying girl your girlfriend hangs out with who always gets drunk and tells you “you knowwww ifsh it wasn’t fer Nicole I fink we’d rullly be a good mashhh”
Is it possible they could knock each other out – kind of like when Macho Man would face Hulk Hogan?
While I don’t want to over-exaggerate or speak completely in hyperbole, UFC75 is going to be the FREAKING GREATEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED. EVER.
After years of waiting on the Fertitta brothers to bring us a true Pride Fighting – UFC merger, here it is laid out before us in spectacular fashion.
UFC75 features the first-ever MMA unification bout, when Quintin Rampage Jackson defends his UFC Light heavyweight Title against Pride Fighting’s Champion Dan Hollywood Henderson. While fighting enthusiasts will note that Jackson is by-and-large a Pride fighter new to the UFC (why you gotta be a dick like that?), when he knocked out Chuck Liddell like he had stolen his momma’s purse he became a fan-favorite and one of Dana White’s poster-boys.
Henderson has taken the long road back to the U.S. and is a far cry from the fighter who competed in UFC17. That said, the competition is a far cry from the previous generation of fighters – Quintin Jackson ain’t no Carlos Newton, that’s for sure. Those who doubt his credentials though should be forced to watch his defeat of Wanderlei Silva to understand what a rounded fighter he is. Considering that he is known for his clinch and grappling, yet defeated the striker Silva on his feet should tell you something. If this match had happened in the UFC, and Silva was Rich Franklin, Henderson would already be co-hosting Best Damn Sports Show Period and appearing in Sports Illustrated.
While still operating in Japan, Pride fighting has officially taken a back-seat to its American brother. One need only look at the second fight on the card to see why. Showcased as the Ultimate Fighter 3 finale that should have been, Michael Bisping and Matt Hamill are set to clash in what should be a fierce grudge match. There’s a tremendous amount of hype about this fight, as Hamill is the superior athlete, but Bisping has quickly become a crowd favorite – especially in his hometown U.K.
Dana White’s ability to generate story lines and publicity is what created the monster that is the current UFC and conversely, doomed Pride fighting. Pride never had an Ultimate Fighter. Pride wasn’t able to make the fighters more so characters in a story, thereby drawing in your average fan (and chicks. Chicks dig that shit.) This is why Chuck Liddell gets cheers everywhere he goes. This is why Tito Ortiz is more a brand than a fighter anymore.
The match between Cheick Kongo and Mirko Cro Cop only further illustrates this divide. Cro Cop was known to MMA fans as a complete and utter juggernaut in Pride fighting. With the most brutal body kicks in the biz and a stone-cold demeanor, he seemed to be an easy transition to UFC fans. That was before Gabriel Gonzaga kicked him in the head like it was a gang initiation and knocked him out cold. If Cro Cop can regain momentum against the up-and-coming striker Kongo he’ll get his chance to be in the top echelon of fighters again. If he falls, Kongo moves up the ladder, while Cro Cop’s career will take a serious detour. One thing is for sure however, while fighters come and go, the UFC’s usurpation of Pride fighting will be a constant.
After recently getting arrested for spitting on a bouncer in an altercation, Renato “Babalu” Sobral took another huge step towards strengthening the credibility of the UFC…
At the end of his dominating UFC74 undercard victory versus David Heath, Babalu took it too far.
After opening a HUGE gash on Heath’s head during the fight, Sobral ended the match with a choke. While in the choke, Heath tapped the canvas, tapped Sobral’s arm, and then referee Steve Mazzagatti waved the fight and attempted to push Sobral off. Babalu held on until the tapping turned into twitching and Heath was unconcious on the mat.
Gross. This was an audacious slap in the face of the trust and sportsmanship associated with getting into the Octagon - sure these guys are in there FIGHTING but without that element of trust, critics of MMA can become justified in their concerns.
Babalu’s $25,000 purse for the UFC74 fight is currently being held, with further disiplinary action to come. I hope it’s harsh.
(9 votes, average: 4.22 out of 5)
While I don’t want to over-exaggerate or speak completely in hyperbole, UFC75 is going to be the FREAKING GREATEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED. EVER.
(10 votes, average: 4.8 out of 5)
Seriously?
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