Rich Franklin vs. Matt Hamill on tap for UFC 88 - Fight Forum - MMA - UFC - Boxing - K1

GeorgeXVX · 07-01-2008, 08:08 PM

Rich Franklin vs. Matt Hamill on tap for UFC 88 | MMAjunkie.com

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Rich Franklin (23-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) will move to the UFC's light heavyweight division to fight Matt Hamill (4-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) at UFC 88 in September.

On Monday MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) first reported that Franklin had been tapped for the Sept. 6 event, and today, we learned from sources close to both fighters that bout agreements have been distributed and are expected to be finalized this week.

The fight was first reported earlier today by MMARated.com.

UFC 88, which features a main event between Chuck Liddell and Rashad Evans, takes place at Phillips Arena in Atlanta. The Franklin-Hamill fight will likely be the night's co-main event.

Franklin, a former UFC middleweight champ, has been fighting in the 185-pound class but had already lost twice to current title-holder Anderson Silva. As we reported yesterday, he had been approached about moving up a fight class to create some new fight opportunities.

Hamill, who is a fellow Cincinnati-area native like Franklin, provides just that.

Hamill, an MMA newcomer who found his way into the UFC via the third season of "The Ultimate Fighter," was forced out of the competition due to injury. Since then, though, he's racked up a 4-1 record -- with his only loss being a very controversial split-decision defeat to Michael Bisping at a UFC 75 event in Bisping's home country.

Most recently, Hamill defeated Tim Boetsch via second-round TKO.

Meanwhile, outside of those losses to Silva, Franklin is 11-0 with 10 stoppages in his past 11 fights. He most recently scored a second-round TKO of Travis Lutter at UFC 83.

Franklin last competed at 205 pounds at The Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale in April 2005. He called it a "special case" since the first-ever Spike TV broadcast would reach millions of viewers and could catapult his popularity.

His move is not necessarily permanent, according to a source close to Franklin.

Worth noting is that Franklin and Hamill are both prominent sponsored athletes of American Fighter. The apparel company sponsors some of the MMA's top fighters -- including Rashad Evans, Marcus Davis, Keith Jardine and Tim Sylvia -- and fights between the competitors had been considered unlikely.

Saskabush · 07-01-2008, 08:11 PM

Damn seems like quite a mismatch to me. I guess we will see if Hamill can keep Franklin on the ground, doesn't seem likely though.

GeorgeXVX · 07-01-2008, 08:19 PM

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Originally Posted by Saskabush

Damn seems like quite a mismatch to me. I guess we will see if Hamill can keep Franklin on the ground, doesn't seem likely though.

sadly i think this is the best match Hamil can hope for out of the big dogs in the UFC.

T-Bone · 07-01-2008, 08:35 PM

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Originally Posted by Saskabush

Damn seems like quite a mismatch to me. I guess we will see if Hamill can keep Franklin on the ground, doesn't seem likely though.

Maybe Hamill will try to stand and trade again. He's probably licking his chops at the clinch/upper cut dirty boxing game he likes to use.

Interesting fight.

SmashingMachine · 07-01-2008, 08:42 PM

I think Hamill's bad habits of dropping his hands leads to Rich Franklin KO'ing Matt Hamill. Hamill will have to get it down and keep it down, but I don't know that he'll be able to get Rich down. This fight kinda bums me out in a way, because I really like both of these guys and don't want to see either lose.

comucazi · 07-01-2008, 08:44 PM

I think there trying hard to get franklins confidence way back up like it was.

basslogic4003 · 07-01-2008, 08:58 PM

I tell ya man, I wouldn't want to be a fighter at 185 right now. Silva just has the whole division under his thumb. Even if you walk through the rest of the division, the end result is you get thrown into the human blender that is Anderson Silva. Maybe it's not such a bad idea for Franklin to give it another go at 205?

Jenkins83 · 07-01-2008, 08:59 PM

Hamill definitely has a chance. He has his wrestling and is also a powerful striker. Should be a good fight. I'd give the edge to Franklin though.

MK3Design · 07-01-2008, 09:36 PM

I think Hamill will take it.

I would have rather seen Hamill fight Vera

FightFan76 · 07-01-2008, 09:44 PM

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Originally Posted by SmashingMachine

I think Hamill's bad habits of dropping his hands leads to Rich Franklin KO'ing Matt Hamill. Hamill will have to get it down and keep it down, but I don't know that he'll be able to get Rich down. This fight kinda bums me out in a way, because I really like both of these guys and don't want to see either lose.

Everytime Hammil fights there are several people that say he gets KO-ed, the guy has a solid chin and I believe he has a chance in this fight. I believe Rich will win but not by KO. This is a very interesting fight IMO.....

RockemSockem · 07-01-2008, 09:46 PM

I don't see how Hamill can win this fight other than the usual puncher's chance. His striking is nowhere near Franklin's. I highly doubt he could survive three rounds standing. And even on the ground Franklin's BJJ is good enough to get a sub, though he'll likely go for a sweep instead and finish via GnP if he gets taken down. Franklin will be a huge favorite once the odds come out.

SmashingMachine · 07-01-2008, 09:52 PM

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Originally Posted by FightFan76

Everytime Hammil fights there are several people that say he gets KO-ed, the guy has a solid chin and I believe he has a chance in this fight. I believe Rich will win but not by KO. This is a very interesting fight IMO.....

He hasn't fought a striker like Rich Franklin yet either...I've never said that before...about Hamill. Fact is his hands look like a hookers panties...they're always down.

And Rich Franklin will exploit it.

SmashingMachine · 07-01-2008, 09:55 PM

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Originally Posted by RockemSockem

I don't see how Hamill can win this fight other than the usual puncher's chance. His striking is nowhere near Franklin's. I highly doubt he could survive three rounds standing. And even on the ground Franklin's BJJ is good enough to get a sub, though he'll likely go for a sweep instead and finish via GnP if he gets taken down. Franklin will be a huge favorite once the odds come out.

I agree with everything you say, but I think Hamill's too good of a wrestler for Franklin to sweep, but I don't think Rich will be on his back too much...unless he's arm barring, triangling, etc.

fullonshred · 07-01-2008, 10:10 PM

I will not be surprised if Hamill not only gets Franklin down, but then GnP's his way to victory. Hamill is waaaaay stronger than Rich Franklin. Rich's best chance is to keep the fight standing and hope he can land enough to rock and finish Matt on his feet. Otherwise it will be a rough night for Ace.

I hate this freaking matchup as I like and respect both guys, and hate to see either one have to lose.

CounterPuncher · 07-01-2008, 10:24 PM

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Originally Posted by fullonshred

I will not be surprised if Hamill not only gets Franklin down, but then GnP's his way to victory. Hamill is waaaaay stronger than Rich Franklin. Rich's best chance is to keep the fight standing and hope he can land enough to rock and finish Matt on his feet. Otherwise it will be a rough night for Ace.

I hate this freaking matchup as I like and respect both guys, and hate to see either one have to lose.

I agree with everything you said.

Pitbull · 07-01-2008, 10:49 PM

I think Rich is too experienced and too well-rounded for Matt.

The only thing advantage Matt has is his wrestling.

I'll predict Rich by decision.

JUST_SCRAP · 07-01-2008, 11:24 PM

Rich Franklin wins this fight by KO .

onip69 · 07-01-2008, 11:30 PM

I like this match-up. I also think Franklins experience will help him win this one but I would not be surprised if Hamill does win.

My prediction Franklin by KO

stillstanding · 07-02-2008, 12:46 AM

I don't think Rich will TKO or KO Hamill. Boetch hit Hamill with a knee flush to the mouth and split is lower lip. If Rich is going to win it, it will be Decision.

I see Hamill winning this fight by the way

giguer · 07-02-2008, 01:50 AM

Rich for the win is better for sure.

But maybe we will see Franklin vs Silva at 205 lol