Would a prime Rich Franklin be a top ten MW today?

[nick jacoby]

 

[UL]

He'd probably KO Salt Rockhold

But damn I didn't realise how black Israel Adesanya actually is...

Luke is a much better version of Rich

he'd be top 10

 

[Rondas Pillow]

Somewhere 4-10.

 

[Melas Chasma]

He could probably still be top30, if not higher.

 

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

Top 10... sure. Plus no Anderson...

 

[Haj01]

I'd think he'd KO Salt Rockhold

And if you thinking about making jokes about number 9 and his lack of picture don't. I already tried it.

 

[Dozer .]

Top 3

Ace would KO or outstrike Rock

 

[Thepaintbucket]

Top 10

 

[VinceArch]

Honestly I can't see him beating many of those guys.. Perhaps Derek Brunson and David Branch.

 

[Rvd Slmr]

No way he doesn't beat at least Tavares. At 185, Franklin has only lost to Anderson and to Cung Le at the very end of his career.

 

[TheChance]

As long as he stays away from Anderson, absolutely.

 

[Bend NvR Break]

I can picture prime Franklin beating everyone. He's a bigger version of Whittaker.

Luke is a much better version of Rich

he'd be top 10

Disrespectful. Franklin has a chin and much better boxing. I'll give the ground game and kicks to Luke. Prime Franklin though would box Luke's head off.

 

[Krixes]

Ace was a beast, he'd be 6-10 imo...

 

[Minnja]

Rich seemed to struggle mainly against accurate powerful southpaw strikers while fighting at MW. I think a prime version of him would survive in the current top 10 but likely would not dominate any of them and probably would not be a big favorite over anyone aside from Tavares and maybe Brunson and Israel but I could see both those guys also giving Rich problems.

 

[TheRuthlessOne]

Rich would be champion in Today's division

Whittaker would bow down to the greatness of ACE.

Fighters like Prime Wand and Prime Chuck have nightmares about this guy

 

[Flboycanscrap2]

Luke is a much better version of Rich

he'd be top 10

They don't fight anything alike besides they are both big for weight class and like to kick.

Prime Rich was a hell of a striker and pursuer of the finish. Good power and footwork. Great Cardio. Decent wrestling and ground game. More durable than people give him credit for.

Definitely top 10, maybe top 5 - He could out hustle a lot of current guys.

 

[Son of Werdum]

I can see him beating Brunson, Branch, and Tavares. So maybe somewhere 5-10.

 

[Dana_is_your_GOD]

I'd think he'd KO Salt Rockhold

And if you thinking about making jokes about number 9 and his lack of picture don't. I already tried it.

Rich could beat a no one at #9

 

[trevedian]

Prime Rich Franklin would be a Top Ten MW... But he'd never make it past USADA...

 

[Gambit MMA]

if guys like tavares is top 10 than rich def could be