How good was Richard “Math-Ace” Franklin?

[LilNicky95]

First of all, he was a former math teacher so to go from that to fighting in a cage is exemplary. However, in his two matches with Anderson, it looked like a match teacher vs a professional fighter.

Franklin was on top for a bit in a very shallow MW division. But he did have some good wins against the likes of David “Crow-Bar” Loiseau, Travis “ MJ of BJJ” Lutter and Nate “the Great” Quarry…

Overall tho, despite his worth ethic and toughness, Franklin always seemed limited as far as his skills and never seemed polished in any one area. Don’t think he would crack the top 10 these days but he was always game and ready to fight.

How will he be remembered?

 

[Sonny Qc]

MW was weak AF before him and even during the Silva era.

Ace wasn't great at anything, but pretty good at everything.

 

[sdpdude9]

Good, but not great. Solid all around game, but beatable in every facet. Reached championship status due to the era he was in.

 

[B-Level]

Prime Rich would be good enough to beat the likes of ranked MWs like Hermansson, Gastelum, Hall, and Edmen. Probably Brunson too.

 

[Shoden]

Underrated...He is at the level of Chuck Lidell/Matt Hughes, his name should be that big IMO.

 

[Substance Abuse]

MW was weak AF before him and even during the Silva era.

Ace wasn't great at anything, but pretty good at everything.

MW was so weak during Silva's era that two guys he beat got title shots at two different weight classes after he beat them.

 

[IndyCovaHart]

But how ACTUALLY good was he is the real question

 

[Luthien]

Rich was great
MMA was just his side thing I think, with being
a math teacher and the fact that he got so far
is super impressive!!!

 

[Bobby Boulders]

Talented fighter who stayed mostly relevant during career, but fell out of contention while flip flopping between weight classes. Good wins at MW, LHW, Franklinweight, and even fought at HW. Lots of good names on his resume, both wins and losses. Good enough to beat most fighters at any given time, not good enough to beat the very best. Beloved by the fanbase.

 

[Kvothe_the_kingkiller]

Prime Rich would be good enough to beat the likes of ranked MWs like Hermansson, Gastelum, Hall, and Edmen. Probably Brunson too.

That's a pretty fair assessment. Kudos.

I believe he would be top 10 in any era - even the one with Mousasi, Chris, Jacare, Romero, Luke, Bisping, etc. But ya, prob not champ ever again.

 

[LilNicky95]

Underrated...He is at the level of Chuck Lidell/Matt Hughes, his name should be that big IMO.

<{chips}>

 

[Poatan Power]

MW was so weak during Silva's era that two guys he beat got title shots at two different weight classes after he beat them.

This. These casuals have no idea wtf they're talking about.

Silva beat Dan Henderson (PRIDE MW, WW champion, SF LHW champion, UFC legend), Damian Maia, Chael Sonnen x2, Vitor Belfort (former UFC champion, the only guy who came even close to finishing Jon Jones), Rich Franklin, Forrest Griffin (#4 LHW), Okami... but yeah, weak division.

 

[Substance Abuse]

This. These casuals have no idea wtf they're talking about.

Silva beat Dan Henderson (PRIDE MW, WW champion, SF LHW champion, UFC legend), Damian Maia, Chael Sonnen x2, Vitor Belfort (former UFC champion, the only guy who came even close to finishing Jon Jones), Rich Franklin, Forrest Griffin (#4 LHW), Okami... but yeah, weak division.

It wasn't. At all. They just like to use Leites and Cote. Anderson had cleared the division out by then so he beat the second best 205'er at the time in half a round.

 

[TheSpider]

Prime Rich would be top 5, possibly top 3 in today’s weak MW division.

Past prime Rich (after the Silva beatings) arguably beat prime Hendo in a razor close split decision loss. Beat prime Okami, prime Louiseu, Lutter and he also has wins in LHW and Franklinweight vs Wand 2X, prime Hammill, and Chuck. One of the most underrated fighters of all time.

 

[Mr Wings]

He was great you dummies. Just because one of the Mount Rushmore of MMA GOATS beat his ass doesn’t mean it’s time for revisionist history.

 

[Fesaine]

He didn't even know the basic defense of muay thai clinch when he was the MW champion.

Franklin was good for his time, but he wouldn't crack the top 15 in the current MW division. People just don't realize how much the sport has evolved.

 

[Substance Abuse]

Prime Rich would be top 5, possibly top 3 in today’s weak MW division.

Past prime Rich (after the Silva beatings) arguably beat prime Hendo in a razor close split decision loss. Beat prime Okami, prime Louiseu, Lutter and he also has wins in LHW and Franklinweight vs Wand 2X, prime Hammill, and Chuck. One of the most underrated fighters of all time.

Franklinweight should be a real weight class.

 

[Vampire life]

He had slow hands and being southpaw helped him a lot. Tough as nails, I don’t think he’d do well in today’s mma landscape though

 

[Egészségére!]

 

[SammyG420]

Prime Rich would be top 5, possibly top 3 in today’s weak MW division.

Past prime Rich (after the Silva beatings) arguably beat prime Hendo in a razor close split decision loss. Beat prime Okami, prime Louiseu, Lutter and he also has wins in LHW and Franklinweight vs Wand 2X, prime Hammill, and Chuck. One of the most underrated fighters of all time.

He also beat Evan Tanner twice. Another underrated fighter. Evan was 27-3 first time they fought while Rich was making his UFC debut. Evan had already fought for a 205 belt vs Tito.

Then Evan won 4 in a row, the 4th win being for vacant 185 belt, an 1 win being vs Robbie Lawler. He faced Rich again an lost the belt to him