UFC 99: The Comeback Or the Big Attack

Looking to the future at the next round of fights I begin reflecting on the styles of the fighters.  The main event with Rich Franklin and Wanderlei Silva is a difficult fight for me to call. 

Given Franklin's defeat with Muay Thai expert Anderson Silva and now facing another muay "fat knee in your grill" thai expert like Wanda the odds are stacked against him.  But hold on.  Rich Franklin is no slouch himself.  When he turns on the heat he can slug like the best of them.  What will win this fight patience or brawl? Let's break it down.

First off if it were me looking across the octagon at Silva I would be in big trouble.  With his trademark rolling of the hands and that "I am going to eat you look" I might want to reconsider and hop the fence.

Franklin, on the other hand has very good speed and has great punching angles.  I believe he can beat Silva with long punches and side steps.  Wanderlei tends to plant himself and use his power from that position while he comes forward.  Franklin on the other hand if he can move and pop he could weather the storm.

There are really two types of fans reading this.  You either like Silva or your like Franklin.  Two very distinct personalities exist here.  So for me to critique the fight is stupid to most because fans don't use reason sometimes when picking a fighter. 

They pick them because I saw them at a live event and got an autograph, their aunt lives in the fighters home town and many other reasons.  But look at the facts here.  Franklin could be considered the underdog in this because of Silva's known aggression. 

If I were a betting man I think Franklin can pull the fight off if he moves.  If he tries to stand with Silva I don't know if his core is strong enough to compete with Silva.

Push comes to shove we know that Silva will hunt you down.  Even when being hit he has no problem with stalking.  Check out some past fights of Franklin and you will see a resemblance of Chuck Liddell in his style.  He can move backwards and continue to clock his opponent.

Either way this should make for an exciting three minute fight.  I just have this gut feeling that it want go further than the 1st round.

So in wrapping this up I would rate this UFC card as an eight.  I guess we are so used to action pack stars on the card that getting less than five great fights is just not good enough. 

I do see big attacks from most bouts.  Cain Velasquez likes to keep a fast pace.  Mike Swick wants to get in your face.  Marcus Davis says "Try Me".  Spencer Fisher moves forward. Paul Taylor is relentless. Mostapha Al Turk is pressing the fight. Paul Kelly likes to brawl.

What's your take on how Franklin vs. Silva is going to play out?