Rich Franklin emerged victorious from an absolute war with Wanderlei Silva as both men laid it on the line at UFC 99.
Both men put their chins on the line, both men got rocked on several occasions, but it was the superior technical striking of Franklin that stole the day.
Wanderlei had returned to his Muay Thai routes, employing his former trainer, and he came out with a noticeably stricter Muay Thai stance.
The first round started cagey before exploding into life as Wanderlei caught a body kick and swept for the takedown. From there he failed to employ his BJJ black belt, eventually posturing up.
Franklin bided his time, waited for the attempted bomb, snuck out the back door and sent Wanderlei back to his corner chewing on a big straight left.
Cue the fireworks.
Franklin went to work with the jab, with the straight left, but all the time you could just sense the power of Wanderlei’s wild swinging hooks.
Finally one connected, Franklin’s legs wobbled and Wanderlei followed up with another. Back came Franklin with a left to rock Silva – nobody wanted the bell when it sounded.
The final and decisive round, edged by Franklin’s more accurate striking as Wanderlei tired. Both men threw down, both men got dazed.
Wanderlei waved his arms to rouse the crowd, he launched towards Franklin, but the former UFC middleweight champion is so clever, he found a takedown, and the fight was his.
The future for Franklin?
“Cutting weight wasn’t a problem. I’m gonna stick at 205 and put on some exciting fights.
For Wanderlei, “the result wasn’t important”.
After this classic, we agree.