UFC 115 – Franklin vs. Liddell; going big or heading home

Dana White & Co. couldn’t have scripted a better scenario for their Vancouver debut. A headlining match that features two of the most celebrated UFC fighters in its short history combined with its fastest sellout. The quality of the product featured for the main event surely helps to explain the lightning fast sellout, as two former champions colliding in the Octagon rarely make for a boring evening.  

For Rich Franklin, headlining for UFC 115 constitutes nothing less than payback. The former UFC MW champion (26-5-1) will be consolidating his return in the promotion’s LHW division after two consecutive bouts fought at a catchweight of 195lbs.

Following his outing against Vitor Belfort at UFC 103, Franklin expressed some frustration at the promotion, qualified by his usual politeness. He felt the promotion had fed him to fighters who were on their way to the MW division to resurrect their past glory, as both Wanderlei Silva and Belfort had announced their decision to fight at 185lbs.

Hence, after being a loyal company man, he felt it was time to give him his just desserts and let him show his wares against a top UFC LHW draw. Enter Chuck Liddell and his rebirth.

Once described as “The Most Feared Man on Earth”, or some other hyperbole, Liddell’s last performances prompted his friend and UFC President, Dana White, to give him a mandatory time-out. For those who witnessed his last two quick (T)KO losses to Rashad Evans and Mauricio Rua at UFC 88 and 97 respectively, it was made apparent that Liddell had timing issues that needed to be resolved, as pulling punches proved fatal for the San Luis Obispo native.

Thus, White inducted Liddell (21-7) into the promotion’s Hall of Fame with the celerity usually given to the terminally ill. Then Liddell was nudged into strategizing about typical ‘post-career’ moves. A stint on “Dancing with the Stars” would effectively diversify his fan base, giving the impression the ‘Iceman’ was really being forced out of the promotion by his friend who preferred not having to witness his seemingly inevitable decay as a fighter. But whether the elderly would enthusiastically buy soap from this man remained a gnawing question that Liddell’s handlers couldn’t answer with assurance.

In early 2010, Liddell decided to postpone his retirement plans and headed back to the Octagon. That route had him renew with a coaching job on the TUF series, which he had done back in 2005 for the inaugural season.

As the formula of the reality TV show goes, the head coaches from opposite teams eventually settle their score in the Octagon. Originally slated to face Tito Ortiz, who ended pulling out of that engagement due to an injury whose timing should be used to set the pace on an atomic clock, Rich Franklin was ultimately given the nod as Ortiz’ replacement. And Franklin would also get to capitalize on the huge exposure associated with Liddell’s comeback spotlight.

The fight should be exciting as both have a lot to lose. Franklin needs to show he can win against real contenders at 205lbs, and Liddell must prove to MMA fans, never mind the promotion itself, that he still belongs in the Octagon. Will he be able to pull a ‘Couture’ out of his bag and make a successful comeback as a practicing MMA hall of famer?

That question mainly hinges on the timing he will display in the Octagon. Ever since Liddell’s TKO loss to Rampage Jackson at UFC 71, his counterpunching has been hesitant. Once amazing at finding his opponents’ chins with laser-like accuracy when countering their punches, Liddell’s ability to let his hands go seems to have diminished due to his waning confidence.

His rival clearly presents a more complete fighting pedigree. Initially, look for Franklin to chip at Liddell’s power with incessant leg kicks. If successful, and depending on whether Franklin feels brave enough to upstage Liddell by attempting a KO or TKO finish, he might stand and spar with more ease. If that doesn’t prove effective, he will shoot for takedowns, following with ground and pound.

Either way, Franklin should prevail. His skill set is more developed and he’s more of a tactician than Liddell will ever be.  Look for a UD that will put him in contention for a title shot in the near future. Lines have Franklin entering the Octagon a slight favourite (- 125) against Liddell (-105).

The lead-up to the main event will have two HW kickboxing masters face each other for a real barn burner. Patrick Barry (5-1) will demonstrate why speed matters against an aging MMA glory, Mirko Filipovic (26-7-1). Barry is the favourite (-175) against the Pride legend (+145). Physics will play a huge part in the outcome of this match. Barry’s low leg kick will prove (see picture) that once a striker’s power is stripped from him (i.e. his legs), his only option remains to limp off the Octagon. Potential contender for KO of the Night award.   

A defeat by ‘Cro Cop’ might put an end to his career. MMA fans hope he won’t have sinister thoughts cross his mind (see post-JDS fight interviews) when Barry puts him out of commission as early as the 2^nd round.

The rest of the main card looks as follows:

WW bout opposing  Paulo Thigo (13-1 and -260) to vs. Martin Kampmann (16-3 and +200): Thiago by UD

HW bout between Ben Rothwell (30-7 and -165) vs. Gilbert Yvel (36-14-1 and +135): Yvel by TKO in the 3^rd.

WW bout between two young wolves, Carlos Condit (24-5 and +115) vs. Rory MacDonald (10-0 and -145): Condit by UD. Contender for that card’s Fight of the Night award, with Barry vs. Filipovic.

Lines by Betus.com

Photos by UFC (Zuffa LLC) and Dave Mandel from Sherdog.com