Rich Franklin: Arguably one of the greatest UFC fighters in the sports history with an impressive 29-7 career record and a 13-6 career UFC record that included 7 of those wins by finish and two title defenses. In Franklin's final 7 fights he fought in 6 different countries and his career losses merely came at the hands of cheaters (Machida, Silva, Belfort, Le) a TRUE ambassador of the sport and one of the first well-rounded fighters in the game. He didn't come from a background of wrestling, striking, etc. he worked at his craft and became naturally good at EVERYTHING.
Fast forward to Chris Weidman: 14-4 career record with a UFC record of 10-4 with 7 UFC wins by finish and 3 title defenses. Weidman has fought 8 of his 18 career fights within New York or New Jersey and only has one fight out of the United States and it was in Canada. Is it same to say that a part of Weidman's early success if the preferential treatment he has gotten from the UFC? I'd say so. Came into the UFC with a strong background in D1 wrestling and with a black belt under Matt Serra and Renzo Gracie while Franklin would watch grappling tapes in the shed in his backyard.
Weidman after starting off 13-0 with three title defenses and getting over hyped by beating two legends that were well past their primes, Weidman has lost 4 of his last 5 and has been knocked out in all 4 including recently being knocked out by a man who's specialty is submissions.
Franklin meanwhile would start his career off an impressive 22-1 before ending his career 7-6 while losing to the like of Silva (PED's), Machida (PED's), Belfort (PED's), and Cung Le (PED's). Franklin despite not coming from the same D1 wrestling and BJJ background Chris Weidman had was still surprisingly well-rounded and had far better striking than Weidman ever has had or will have. Despite the quick rise and even quicker fall of Chris Weidman he is STILL a POOR MAN'S Rich Franklin.
