Probably due to Franklin beating him and if it wasn't for that shitty dec would have that win on his record. What Hendo ever do at MW other then knockingout Bisping and winning the Pride 83kg tournament?
Henderson is greater than Franklin, period. Look at the guys he has fought. You won't hear any fighter discussing that.
Henderson and Franklin are about the same size, both have competed routinely at 185 and 205.
Now if you just care about when they performed after a big weight cut or not, I let you alone in that discussion.
They actually fought each other at 205 so by your stupid logic doesnt matter who got that decision, or if someone got KOed, it counts as mch as if the fight never happened.
Of course it counts as it counts for Machida to dismantle Franklin at whatever weight it took place.
That split dec loss to Hendo is actually one of the best perfomances in Franklin's career btw, if not the best. On his part, Henderson had at least as good performance that day, plus so many wins with no judge needed over a row of great fighters... of different sizes/reaches/weights or any other variable you want to set the whole discussion around in an exercise of stupidity, don't know if you realize
Franklin simply is not one of the best 10 fighters we have ever seen in mma of his size.
I would place him #5 best American MW. Dont think he tops any top5 all-time MW from Brazil either; and for sure I consider Yoel Romero, Whittaker and Mousasi to be greater than Franklin.
Still top 20 most likely, greatly due to the credit of a close fight with Henderson
