Monday Morning Matchmaker: Machida Versus Franklin
Posted by Chad Edward on May 26th, 2008
Everyone loves a rematch!
In December 2003, Fighters.com’s third-ranked light heavyweight “Dragon” Lyoto Machida (13-0) TKO’d second-ranked middleweight “Ace” Rich Franklin (23-3), then fighting at 205-pounds, in the second round.
But, the match-up was on the undercard of a Japanese event before Franklin conquered “The World’s Most Dangerous Man” Ken Shamrock (26-13-2) on the original TUF finale, propelling “Ace” to North American stardom, and Machida conquered “Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Tito Ortiz (15-6-1) last Saturday, continuing his impressive UFC run.
Though the fight is available on the Internet, few North Americans have seen it.
Now, both fighters are lingering directionless in their respective divisions.
Franklin, it seems, can beat-up anyone at 185-pounds except for top-ranked UFC champ “Spider” Anderson Silva (21-4), to whom he’s succumbed twice already.
Machida has been relatively unchallenged in victories over Ortiz, seventh-ranked light heavyweight “African Assassin” Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (5-2), and Kazuhiro Nakamura (11-8), but his unengaging, paced style puts him at the back of the line of UFC 205-pound contenders, behind more exciting fighters “Iceman” Chuck Liddell (21-5) and, now, probably “Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva (32-8-1).
Franklin told Fighters.com after his TKO of “Serial Killer” Travis Lutter (9-5) in April that he’d consider taking a fight at 205-pounds if it’s an “interesting match-up”.
A rematch with Machida is interesting for several reasons.
First, it solves the problem of what to do with each fighter, in the short-term anyway.
Also, there’s a bit of drama built-in as a rematch from a mysterious fight in Japan many years prior. Redemption always sells!
Finally, it’s a good fight. Both fighters have improved tremendously since 2003.
Always in-shape Franklin will push the pace and action versus Machida. Unlike Ortiz, Franklin doesn’t have to stalk the “Dragon” for a takedown or wait for him to plant to land the big punch like Soko’. Franklin will run Machida down and touch him with a diverse stand-up game he can launch while moving.
On the ground, Franklin showed how slick he is by escaping a Lutter armbar at UFC 83 and would challenge Machida with a relentless G’n'P.
Machida needs an exciting fight to earn a title shot. Franklin doesn’t fight boring fights, even if it’s in his better interest to pace himself (as in his second loss to Silva).
For Franklin, Machida serves as a legitimate and awkward striker. It must be frustrating for Frankin that his live-fire 185-pound options are all grapplers when he needs fight experience versus strikers to have a chance of winning the inevitable third title fight with Silva.
Machida mimics Silva at least in the awkward angles he strikes from and is strong in the clinch. Machida is also tricky on the ground, with slick submissions and powerful wrestling.
Make this fight! It sells, has meaningful storyline, and is a competitive match-up.
Want to play matchmaker? Send me your match-ups and 100 words why it’s a good fight to make. Include your name, city, and country and e-mail chad@fighters.com. I’ll publish some of them next Monday morning.
allteeth said:
I’m not a great matchmaker. But I do like to analyze a situation. This match would be and feast both style and technique, and stands to reason.
Franklin has lot to lose and Machida has alot to gain.
Machida is Franklin 2.0 and has the best look to give Silva a scary fight.
The “dragon” brings to the ring Franklins wind and ability to throw heat from his heels.
No pivot foot needed to develop power in every shot weather coming in or leaving his range.
He adds defense in the form of a lightning fast illusive movements side to side, and using those angles to capitalize with punching or counters.
Not to disrespect the very object that sets him far apart, his whip cracking feet. The wide angled stance prepares him for fight or flight. Juke his opponent out of his shows or put a shin bone into his ribs or jaw.
His name should be the sea urchin because pretty much all around him, he can stick you.
Silva should be thinking about…. things.
Let it be known I have a great deal of respect for Franklin, his abilities, and his contributions with every fight.
Orlandomac said:
Allteeth if you are referring to Anderson Silva and not Wanderlei then I am sure you will never see that match-up as both Machida and Anderson fight out of the same team Black House (Casa Negra in Rio).
Franklin v Machida would be a good match I respect both fighters talent, but I think Machida will beat him again. Very few fighters in the LHW category I think are technical enough to beat Machida, and that is the best crop of fighters that the UFC has.
Liddell I think might be one since he is a counter puncher too, although it could prove to be a very boring fight because both will wait to counter.
Contrary to Chad’s opinion I think Machida ranks high enough in the UFC to have the task of dispatching Tito for Dana, because we all know Dana did not want to see Tito win, so he set him up with a sure loss. He could have chose from a few Wanderlei might have been dispatched but for his previous loss to Ortiz.
The Bossman needed someone to neutralize and neuter Tito, and that is why Lyoto was summoned.
I think Lyoto is one fight away from a title shot, I also believe Thiago Silva is also right there. You might see the two battle for a shot, but I would rather see the Franklin v Machida.
Thiago should get Jardine next for target practice.
Chad Edward said:
Wanderlei Silva on fighting Anderson Silva, “Friend is friend; but, fight is job.”
Dana White on Silva v Silva: “That’s the only interesting fight for Wand at 185. There are at least five interesting fights for Wand at 205. Unless he comes to me and says, ‘These guys are just too big at 205,’ then he’s staying at 205.”
I create Fighters.com’s division rankings and have ranked Machida third in the world, and did so before he beat Ortiz. That doesn’t mean he’s not boring.
Orlandomac said:
Chad you’re right Wand would fight anyone but it is my experience that Black House fighters don’t tread on each others toes, or mow each others lawns.
It is the main reason Paulo Filho went to WEC so that he could stay away from team-mate Anderson.
I believe Machida v Anderson to fall into the same bracket.
Chute Boxe was always much different and most of those fighters would fight each other.. they were also known for some huge training battles.
Rumour had Wand and Rua duke it out for a pitbull pup, with Wand KOing Rua.. but I don’t know how much truth is behind that, but know that Chute Boxe has a totally different philosophy to that of Black House.
allteeth said:
I hope the money is right to fore go that old rule. There could be a few great matches.