Sean Strickland vs Rich Franklin

[ClinchmasterEdwards93291]

How is the former UFC champion "just a guy"? Wtf

because MW back then was dogshit

 

[Chubi]

If Rich could not fin the answer for a thai clinch, I don't see how he would've done against a good boxer with TD defense. Yet, different eras, If Rich was 30yo today, he would train differently.

 

[RockyLockridge]

strickland would win

 

[AstralPanda]

Bisping couldn't beat Wand but Rich did however Mike beat Anderson, something Rich couldn't do twice.

bisping was way more developed as a fighter by the time he fought Anderson.

 

[Hotora86]

because MW back then was dogshit

 

[pankrat]

Franklin is very underrated here.. he lost only to the best I've mean damn Lyoto,Vitor,Anderson,Griffin,Hendo and Le all were killers and champs. Imo it would be close fight between Sean and Franklin

Franklin had a very close fight with a young Okami...

 

[DumpsterBaby]

Sean vs Shogun in 09 is pretty high on my fantasy matchups.

 

[Clark Rogers]

well rich franklin was just a guy and strickland is a world class fighter. so pretty easy answer

When people say "you're just a white belt" the dumb shit like this right here is why.

Just so ya know.

As for the thread, it's an interesting fight, but damn the Rich disrespect ITT is crazy.

 

[Kung Fu Kowboy]

Rich by however he wants.

Gave Chuck a one way ticket to Shadow Realm

 

[HUGHPHUG]

Rich was better in his era than Strickland is in his, put either into the other's era, training methods, coaches etc, Rich pushes his shit in all day

 

[JKS]

Rich would win this fight. We would get a kickboxing match up, no one would grapple. And Rich was better striking. People like to bring up evolution etc.....doesn't really apply here.

 

[NoStoneUnturned]

I love Ace, but I think its a bad matchup. Strickland via fifth round TKO. Too much volume and too good with the grappling defense.

 

[USA!USA!]

3 or 5 rounds would matter a lot I think

I think Strickland wins a decision if 5, Franklin maybe could win if less.

Stand up and the cardio and boxing style wears down Franklin who maybe wins the first round or 2 of a 5 rounder.

 

[Alpha_T83]

strickland would win

I agree. MMA has evolved a lot.

 

[theincognito]

What Franklin had going for him in his era:

-Huge for the division (like everyone today)
-Great cardio (like everyone today)
-Good pace / activity rate
-Solid though unspectacular all around skills (mostly stuck to striking)

Where he would struggle today:

-Flat footed
-Lunging striker
-Bad defense
-Turtle off his back

Strickland would beat his face in. Anything else is 'glory days' cope.

 

[Captain Herb]

Franklin wouldn't have much chance against Strickland. He'd get jabbed literally to death and wouldn't have an answer

 

[NicholasJBasile]

Rich was a solid fighter and well-rounded, but I don't see him outstriking Sean or taking him down. Strickland wins a semi-competitive fight IMO. Rich was good enough to beat an aging Wand twice after losing to Anderson (something Bisping couldn't do), but I don't see him having an answer to the jab/Philly Shell/teep game of Sean.

I tend to agree with this. Plus, Franklin's game, where very solid, wasn't exactly modernized for today's techniqures. He was a traditional MMA kickboxer with a decent ground game, but Sean is more dynamic than what fighters brought to the table during Franklin's prime.

 

[dipstickjimmy]

At least with his example they both fought an aging Wand.

Mike beat Anderson an entire decade after the first Rich vs Anderson fight. Also he looked like he got hit by a car while Anderson looks like he just did a Karate sparring session at the local YMCA

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Agreed. Fight wise is probably looks like the Strickland vs Imavov fight. Imavov landed nice legs kicks and the occasional power shot but Strickland grinded it out with solid jabs and clinch work.

Rich lost to Anderson twice with 2 eyes. Mike beat Anderson with 1 eye. If you want to compare things fairly.