UFC 93 Preview: Rich Franklin Vs. Dan Henderson

In just a few hours, the UFC will put on a card that is meant for the hardcore audience, full of matches that are intriguing and good, but none that are marquee status with the mainstream fight fan.

Regardless, UFC 93 is going down tonight (well, today at 3 PM EST, tape delay on PPV tonight) in Dublin, Ireland, at the 02 Arena. RopesRingandCage.com breaks down the main event right here and right now: Rich Franklin vs. Dan Henderson.

About Franklin (24-3)

Franklin's professional MMA career began in 2000 as "Ace" competed all across the U.S. in regional shows, visiting Hawaii, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nevada, and California before getting his first UFC shot in 2003. At UFC 42, he defeated Evan Tanner via first-round TKO (strikes) but continued to battle on those regional cards while spicing in occasional UFC matches.

After convincing wins over Edwin Dewees at UFC 44 and Jorge Rivera at UFC 50, Franklin earned full-time in the octagon in 2005.

After a convincing first-round destruction of Ken Shamrock at The Ultimate Fighter finale, the 6'1" Franklin got a shot at the UFC Middleweight title, held by old foe Tanner.

Franklin won the belt as the UFC 53 battle was stopped by the doctors in the fourth round. The Cincinnati, OH, native successfully defended the title twice before running into the buzzsaw known as Anderson Silva, who took the belt by force (and by knees) at UFC 64.

Since then, Franklin has gone 4-1 with wins over Jason Macdonald, Matt Hamill, Yushin Okami and Travis Lutter. That one loss? Another defeat at the hands of Silva in a rematch for the Middleweight title at UFC 77.

Now back in the Light Heavyweight picture, he will be staring across the octagon at another former champion - Dan Henderson.

About Henderson (23-7)

Like Franklin, Henderson is a true veteran and began his career in 1997. After competing and winning the UFC 17 Middleweight tournament in 1998, Henderson headed to Japan, where he would fight for the next seven years.

Five straight wins and a RINGS King of Kings tournament win later, he made the move to PRIDE, a decision that resulted in title wins and a name in the MMA business.

Hendo's start in his new place of work didn't start out the way he wanted as he lost via unan decision to Wanderlei Silva at PRIDE 12 in December 2000. But in the next four years, he racked up a 9-3 record with victories over Renzo Gracie, "Ninja" Rua, Akihiro Gono and more.

The 5'11" Henderson won his first major title with a PRIDE Welterweight title victory over Murilo Bustamante at PRIDE Shockwave 2005 and followed that up a few years later with a Middleweight title victory over Wanderlei Silva at PRIDE 33.

It was fitting that his career began and ended with fights against Silva and he, Silva and others headed off the UFC after Zuffa purchased PRIDE in 2007.

Like other PRIDE fighters, the Temecula, California, native has had a rough go of it in the UFC. He debuted at UFC 75 in a 'unification' match against then-Light Heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson, losing via unanimous decision.

In March 2008, he fell prey to a second-round rear naked choke to Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva in another unification match at UFC 82. After defeating Rousimar Palhares via unan decision at UFC 88, he goes up against Franklin in a must-win main event.
Breakdown

Several years ago, this would have been a huge fight but with a few more years and a few more miles on them, Franklin vs. Henderson is merely an interesting match with few major implications.

Franklin made a wise move in going back up in weight as he has looked overmatched in his two title bouts with Silva (as has the whole division), but the 205'ers are also packed with young, dangerous fighters.

A win over Henderson won't give him an instant title shot, but perhaps a chance to make a case for one more high-profile fight against a Forrest Griffin, Chuck Liddell, etc.

For Henderson, I feel he needs to win this fight to stay in the UFC. It's been well-documented how much the PRIDE guys have struggled in the octagon and in order to save face, Hendo has to win this.

His name value isn't enough to save him if he loses and with a win, he could take the afore-mentioned fights that Franklin might be up for. Hendo definitely has the stamina, going the distance in three of his last five fights and will likely look to take this down to the ground while the also well-conditioned "Ace" will try to ground Henderson with a kick or punch and then, go to town.

Franklin ends fights with TKOs, and he'll do it one more time here.

RRC Prediction: Frankin via second round TKO (strikes)

Josh Nason - josh [at] ropesringandcage [dot com] - has published MMA, wrestling and boxing blog Ropes, Ring and Cage.com since 2007. If you are using any content or recapping from this site, please include a link to www.ropesringandcage.com or this post on Bleacher Report. Thank you for your support!