Franklin vs Kampmann in Ireland - Fight Forum - MMA - UFC - Boxing - K1

RockemSockem · 04-05-2007, 02:02 AM

Franklin to Headline versus Kampmann in June

The next chapter in Rich Franklin's (Pictures) quest to regain the UFC middleweight crown will unfold on June 16 Sherdog.com has learned, when "Ace" faces Martin Kampmann (Pictures) in the main event of UFC's first foray into Ireland.

In his return to the Octagon after losing the belt to Anderson Silva, the 32-year-old Franklin easily stopped Jason MacDonald (Pictures) in early March. On that same card Kampmann, 24, endured Drew McFedries' power before winning by arm-triangle choke.

Having won each of his three UFC contests, the Dane (15-2-0) gets a chance to prove he belongs among the best at 185 when he steps in against Franklin (21-2-0, 1 NC; 8-1 in the UFC).

It's expected Zuffa will officially announce the fight during Thursday's UFC Fight Night telecast from Las Vegas on SpikeTV.

Also, a fight between Forrest Griffin (Pictures) and Hector Ramirez (Pictures) is being discussed.

Since they have already said they are setting up Franklin-Silva II, this is probably the toughest fight they can give Franklin where he has little chance of losing. I expect this to go to a decision as Kampmann has never been stopped and has a solid chin. Should be a good fight.

On a side note, Griffin-Ramirez should be a good fight too if it happens. Griffin would be a rightfuly favorite, but Ramirez has solid striking with heavy hands. It's a shame to see them already planning a step down for Griffin when his fight with Machida has not happened yet.

Pitbull · 04-05-2007, 02:03 AM

Source: Sherdog.com
Franklin to Headline versus Kampmann in June

Quote:

The next chapter in Rich Franklin's (Pictures) quest to regain the UFC middleweight crown will unfold on June 16 Sherdog.com has learned, when "Ace" faces Martin Kampmann (Pictures) in the main event of UFC's first foray into Ireland.

*Edit-Mods please delete. RockemSockem was the faster man tonight.

Pitbull · 04-05-2007, 02:05 AM

Darn you, RockemSockem. You beat me to it by a minute.

RockemSockem · 04-05-2007, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitbull

Darn you, RockemSockem. You beat me to it by a minute.

Somebody has to keep you on your toes. =P

The-Iceman-Chuck-Liddell · 04-05-2007, 02:42 AM

Damn I think Dana White is not taking Franklin as serious as he should. Kampmann is not that impressive Franklin should be fighting Swick next

IrishRage · 04-05-2007, 02:49 AM

Now I wouldn't go knocking Kampmann just yet , he is a tough well rounded Young up&comer . And a nice fight for Rich to get back to the level he was.

The-Iceman-Chuck-Liddell · 04-05-2007, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IrishRage

Now I wouldn't go knocking Kampmann just yet , he is a tough well rounded Young up&comer . And a nice fight for Rich to get back to the level he was.

Ya he is a up and comer but i think this is more of a louisieu type fight. Franklin is to good to be the gate keeper like ortiz. He should be fighting other contenders like the winner out of swick and okami. Theres an idea i swear that should be it the winner of swick and okami gets franklin. the winner of that gets the winner of marquardt and silva

Normo · 04-05-2007, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The-Iceman-Chuck-Liddell

Ya he is a up and comer but i think this is more of a louisieu type fight. Franklin is to good to be the gate keeper like ortiz. He should be fighting other contenders like the winner out of swick and okami. Theres an idea i swear that should be it the winner of swick and okami gets franklin. the winner of that gets the winner of marquardt and silva

I personally think everyone should get a rematch when they want if they have held the title, therefore I dont think Franklin should be gate keeper yet. If he trains right and goes into the fight with Anderson Silva fit, I think he could win

Heatwaves · 04-05-2007, 03:54 AM

This should be a great fight! I'm very excited to see this happen. I've been very impressed by Kampmann, but I think his is actually a little too light for 185.

As for the Swick/Okami ideas, remember Dana's mantra... we need contenders. For every #1 vs #2/#3 contender fight, it eliminates a contender. That's not the name of the game. Dana attempts to build fighters up to have legitimate title fights, albeit at the expense of contenders fighting cans. Thankfully, Kampmann is far from a can.

Heatwaves · 04-05-2007, 04:02 AM

Rumor has it that the winner gets Silva, but the loser has to eat Hagus.

wgs2005 · 04-05-2007, 04:27 AM

where in ireland is this gonna be guys, any clue?

Gooner · 04-05-2007, 04:35 AM

Wow...

Franklin is definitely the favorite, but Kampmann is no joke. I think Rich will (again) have a significant size advantage though.

All I can say is WAR KAMPMANN! I doubt he'll be able to outwrestle Franklin and beat him on the ground, so I hope he will connect at some point and put Rich to sleep.

williamN · 04-05-2007, 05:04 AM

Shouldn't Franklin, the FORMER CHAMP, be fighting a higer ranked fighter?????

It is just another example of the UFC "protecting" a fighters win steak

What a joke

Anti-Sanchez · 04-05-2007, 05:17 AM

I think Kampman is a good fighter but I see this fight going the same way as Franklin/McDonald. Rich will win in the first 2 round via GNP. I would've swore Rich's second fight back would've been a title rematch. So who will Silva fight next? Hendo?

Gooner · 04-05-2007, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anti-Sanchez

I think Kampman is a good fighter but I see this fight going the same way as Franklin/McDonald. Rich will win in the first 2 round via GNP. I would've swore Rich's second fight back would've been a title rematch. So who will Silva fight next? Hendo?

Yeah, I thought so too.

Especially after Rich talked about how Dana promised him the shot in front of his homecrowd after his last fight.
I guess Rich and Dana both know that Silva's gonna be tough, and getting another loss straight after one win could hurt a lot.

Silva fighting someone from PRIDE seems like the only good option now. Unless they'll wait a bit and give the winner of Swick-Okami the shot first.
There are so many great match-ups for Silva in PRIDE. Filho and Hendo would be favorites against him too imo.

Corey · 04-05-2007, 07:08 AM

That is a seriously awesome fight. I cant wait.

RockemSockem · 04-05-2007, 08:45 AM

I think Rich will still meet the winner of Silva-Marquardt. If the fight is tentatively sceduled for June, and Silva-Marquardt is sceduled for July, sounds like the timing is right to me. No need for Rich to take another long layoff when it's not necessary. And it helps to put some legitimacy behind the rematch.

Heatwaves · 04-05-2007, 01:50 PM

Should Kampmann lose, I'd love to see Kampmann/McDonald. (Although I do think it is a possibility that Kampmann could pull off a victory.)

GSPALLTHEWAY · 04-07-2007, 09:16 AM

i think this means the winner of the swick\okami fight tonight gets a title shot?? unless there is any pride fighters that come in... then after rich's next fight which he should win by 2nd round TKO he would then get a title shot... just seems to be how things would go IMO

Corey · 04-07-2007, 09:29 AM

Well we know Marquardt gets the next title shot. I would think that the winner of swick/okami would get the next title shot, followed by the winner of kampmann/franklin.

Kampmanns a stud and a really good fighter, but I don't know if his striking will be enough. Franklins showed before that his heavy hands can make short work of good strikers (tanner, loiseau, quarry). I would imagine that kampmann will try to take him down. I predict franklin for the win.

As for Griffin vs Hector Ramirez, I think it will be a good fight. Obviously not as good as griffin-machida, but they only have so many good LHWs to work with. Personally, I think Griffin-Lambert would of been a more obvious choice.