UFC 93 - Franklin vs Henderson

[Ross]

This fight has been forgotten about somewhat since it falls between UFC 92 and UFC 94 but it's an excellent fight between two of the very best in the sport. The card also features the Shogun/Coleman rematch and the UFC debut of Denis Kang.

Main card
Light Heavyweight bout: Rich Franklin vs Dan Henderson - I'm expecting Hendo to try and bang with Rich only to get picked apart for three rounds for a decision victory, if Dan can score some takedowns though it'll be a really close fight
Light Heavyweight bout: Mark Coleman vs Mauricio Rua - by all rights this should be an easy rebound win for Shogun but who knows how he'll fare after two knee operations. If Shogun loses he'll almost certainly be looking for a new home
Middleweight bout: Alan Belcher vs Denis Kang - I don't rate Kang as highly as others do but he should be good enough to get by Belcher
Middleweight bout: Jeremy Horn vs Rousimar Palhares - Horn is only fighting for paychecks these days, Palhares to easily tap him in the first round
Welterweight bout: Marcus Davis vs Chris Lytle - both guys have vowed to make this a stand-up battle and I think Davis is the better striker, it's a battler of the gatekeepers though and neither guy will get much further in the WW division

Preliminary card
Welterweight bout: Martin Kampmann vs Alexandre Barros - easy win for Kampmann in his WW debut
Light Heavyweight bout: Eric Schafer vs Antonio Mendes - Mendes should be good enough on the ground to avoid Schafer's subs and pick up the TKO win
Light Heavyweight bout: Tomasz Drwal vs Ivan Serati
Welterweight bout: Tom Egan vs John Hathaway - a guess pick, I've never heard of either guy
Lightweight bout: Denis Siver vs Nate Mohr

 

[stu0411]

I agree with all your picks.

By all rights this is a pretty stacked card. Not sure why its getting such negative views in the fight forums?

 

[RobbyRoy]

Main card
Light Heavyweight bout: Rich Franklin vs Dan Henderson - Agree that Hendo will stand and probably lose a decision. Franklin getting knocked out is not out of the question though. Actually, after Nog and Hunt, I wouldn't be surprised to see Henderson knocked out.
Light Heavyweight bout: Mark Coleman vs Mauricio Rua - Please god be the Shogun we know and love. Coleman is old as hell and Rua should rightfully run through him, but who knows.
Middleweight bout: Alan Belcher vs Denis Kang - Kang probably a couple of levels better than Belcher
Middleweight bout: Jeremy Horn vs Rousimar Palhares - Palhares has huge potential and could go far. This fight should have been before the one with Hendo.
Welterweight bout: Marcus Davis vs Chris Lytle - I know they said it's going to be a stand up fight, but will Lytle really want to get another loss in the octagon? Pretty stupid if you ask me.

Preliminary card
Welterweight bout: Martin Kampmann vs Alexandre Barros - Never heard of Barros so I'm assuming this is a tune up at a new weight level for Kampmann
Light Heavyweight bout: Eric Schafer vs Antonio Mendes - I think Schafer will sub Mendes or get a decision
Light Heavyweight bout: Tomasz Drwal vs Ivan Serati
Welterweight bout: Tom Egan vs John Hathaway
Lightweight bout: Denis Siver vs Nate Mohr

 

[Forrest Gimp]

The countdown is up @ ufc.com.

Franklin via S/D and shogun via rape for me...
Can't wait for Lytle v Davis either. That will be fun...

 

[Magnum]

Main card
Light Heavyweight bout: Rich Franklin vs Dan Henderson - This is so close of a fight I'm back and forth. If Hendo can't get a hold of Rich, it's UD to Franklin. If Hendo decides to fight like he fought Rampage, and box in, clinch against the cage and GnP, Rich is gone, probably UD or TKO. I just see Dan trying too hard to get inside and Rich circling and peppering Dan with punches and minor combos. The 5 minute rounds and large octagon will assist in Rich in keeping it on the feet for most of the rounds, staying on the outside, using footwork and winning a UD. Hope its a war, but I can see it being a fizzer with both men not really doing much damage to the other.

Light Heavyweight bout: Mark Coleman vs Mauricio Rua - Shogun. For gods sake, do MMA a favour and bring back the old shogun. If the old shogun comes in and destroys Coleman, it will be really exciting for MMA fans, and that's what I'm hoping for.
Middleweight bout: Alan Belcher vs Denis Kang - Kang, but agree with Ross, it aint going to be easy and there could be a few octagon jitters and nerves adapting to the cage. Belcher will be a good first test. Kang by Sub.
Middleweight bout: Jeremy Horn vs Rousimar Palhares - Palhares by kneebar or heel hook.
Welterweight bout: Marcus Davis vs Chris Lytle - This is a sensational fight on paper. Davis to take the UD by crisper striking and avoiding GnP, and because it's in ireland, it's his 'home ground'.
Preliminary card
Welterweight bout: Martin Kampmann vs Alexandre Barros
Light Heavyweight bout: Eric Schafer vs Antonio Mendes - Shafers last chance.
Light Heavyweight bout: Tomasz Drwal vs Ivan Serati - He did alright against the tough Thiago Silva, so I'll give the edge to him.
Welterweight bout: Tom Egan vs John Hathaway - Hathaway to uspet the Irishman in his home town. A little more experienced.
Lightweight bout: Denis Siver vs Nate Mohr - Siver by Sub

 

[drew_j]

Main card
Light Heavyweight bout: Rich Franklin vs Dan Henderson - I just flipped a coin.
Light Heavyweight bout: Mark Coleman vs Mauricio Rua - Will be interesting in seeing Colman at 205, hoping for a return to form from Shogun. I always rated him better than Wand in his prime around 2005. Would have kick his head in if they weren't both Chute Box fighters.
Middleweight bout: Alan Belcher vs Denis Kang - Going for the New dude, with all the hype. Haven't seen much of him though.
Middleweight bout: Jeremy Horn vs Rousimar Palhares - Palhares to win by Horn absenteism, so he can get to the bank before it closes and cash his check.
Welterweight bout: Marcus Davis vs Chris Lytle - Another close one.

Preliminary card
Welterweight bout: Martin Kampmann vs Alexandre Barros
Light Heavyweight bout: Eric Schafer vs Antonio Mendes
Light Heavyweight bout: Tomasz Drwal vs Ivan Serati
Welterweight bout: Tom Egan vs John Hathaway
Lightweight bout: Denis Siver vs Nate Mohr

 

[drew_j]

I got one word for Mark Coleman.

Respect

That was a great display of heart. I might be shouted down for this but that was the best fight I have seen in a long long time. As shit as shogun was, I don't think I've ever seen someone put more of themselves in a fight than Coleman did today. That was simply brilliant.

 

[Forrest Gimp]

I got one word for Mark Coleman.

Respect

That was a great display of heart. I might be shouted down for this but that was the best fight I have seen in a long long time. As shit as shogun was, I don't think I've ever seen someone put more of themselves in a fight than Coleman did today. That was simply brilliant.

I hear what you're saying, but jeez he got tired quick, not to mention he looked slooooow. I'm just glad for his sake that he got injured because I don't even want to know what would have happened if Dana had gone through with the freakshow fight vs Brock. It's a scary thought. Shogun was very very disappointing. I want the old Shogun back...

Also, Horn showed much heart IMO. Looked done for numerous times and battled away like a warrior. As for Kang, one lazy takedown = loss. Silly stuff, because he was dominating. If he didn't have the juice to go through with the takedown, he shouldn't have tried.

 

[Magnum]

Well, "lacklustre" would be my word for UFC 93. Maybe we've been spoiled recently, but 93 seemed to be an anti climax. Dissapointing is an understatement describing Shogun's return. GET SOME CARDIO FFS! He needs a new camp and FAST. He needs a strength and conditioning coach and a specialised diet, he can't go just on talent and blitz anymore. The rules of the cage have brought him back to the fold and he needs to adjust. Right now he wouldn't beat anyone inside the top 20 IMO. I hope he's on the treadmill right now because he's signed to fight Chuck @ UFC 98 in April. He better work his arse off between then and now or he'll be KO'd. That being said, it was a valient effort by Coleman, and although endertaining, it was so in the same way you might watch 2 drunk bums punching on. Cool that it won joint FOTN, but the fight was a disaster

Hendo & Ace. Pretty much went as I thought it would. Dan deserved the decision, but Rich is equal as a fighter. Very even fighters, I could almost have given it a draw. Both are warriors. I hope Dan smashes Bisping, but his days are numbered as twighlight approaches IMO.

Kang looked great until he hit that sloppy double which cost him. Great sub by Belcher, but he was being worked hard until then. Dissapointing for Kang, but theres no doubting his ability. He looked great on the ground and standing. He'll do fine and I think will be one of the contenders at 185 after a tune up fight or two more.

 

[Ross]

I can't work out if I loved or loathed the Shogun vs Coleman fight. It was overly dramatic in the third round but it was also a throwback to the early UFC days of fat slobs with no cardio throwing tired punches at each other. I don't want to write Shogun off yet as recovering from two knee surgeries would be really tough, but if he fights like that in April Chuck is knocking him out. He's a true fighter though, he didn't even hesitate when Dana offered him the Chuck fight after the show.

Franklin and Hendo was a good solid high-quality fight. I had it 29-28 Franklin but no problems either with Henderson getting the decision. Rich probably lost the fight by initiating the clinch a few times and getting taken down. Shame it wasn't a five round fight.

Kang again threw away a fight that he was dominating, against Mousasi last year he basically dove straight into a triangle and here he stuck his neck out on a lazy shoot. If he tightened his game up he'd be a top fighter, but until that happens I can't really rate him.

From Dana's YouTube videos it's looking like Overeem and maybe Semmy Schilt could fight in the UFC this year if the money is right. There's also rumours going around that Cro Cop is returning to the octagon for a fight in Germany in June.

 

[drew_j]

I can't work out if I loved or loathed the Shogun vs Coleman fight. It was overly dramatic in the third round but it was also a throwback to the early UFC days of fat slobs with no cardio throwing tired punches at each other. I don't want to write Shogun off yet as recovering from two knee surgeries would be really tough, but if he fights like that in April Chuck is knocking him out. He's a true fighter though, he didn't even hesitate when Dana offered him the Chuck fight after the show.

Franklin and Hendo was a good solid high-quality fight. I had it 29-28 Franklin but no problems either with Henderson getting the decision. Rich probably lost the fight by initiating the clinch a few times and getting taken down. Shame it wasn't a five round fight.

Kang again threw away a fight that he was dominating, against Mousasi last year he basically dove straight into a triangle and here he stuck his neck out on a lazy shoot. If he tightened his game up he'd be a top fighter, but until that happens I can't really rate him.

From Dana's YouTube videos it's looking like Overeem and maybe Semmy Schilt could fight in the UFC this year if the money is right. There's also rumours going around that Cro Cop is returning to the octagon for a fight in Germany in June.

You're the first person I've spoken with that has given Rich the fight (but my MMA circle is small ) and the controversy surrounding it is pretty big. I gave hendo 2 rounds and I think the split was a just call with round 2 in the balance. But the ref giving 30-27 Franklin is way off the mark IMOH. Still, I respect your track record here so I might have to watch it again . I agree that 5 rounds would have sorted it. Guessing it would have gone to Rich, and maybe by stoppage, he looked ready for round 4 and then some.

Overeem in is a massive in if it comes. Here is your man that can physically stop Lesnar. And the dude is rounded as well. Just worry about the juice

 

[Ross]

Going another two rounds after the eye poke might have given Rich some problems...

 

[TigerTragic]

Interesting to see you guys reaction here. Me and a few mates were actually at the O2 (second UFC this year after Birmingham a few months back) basically everyone we spoke to straight after the fight thought that it should have gone 29-28 to Franklin. Not sure why but he looked more dominant live...I've watched the replay and I can see why they scored it the way they did though. Majority of the card was awesome to watch the crowd was into most of the fights in a BIG way! But then, I was also pretty drunk

We also got photos taken with Joe Rogan AND Bruce Buffer not to brag or anything!!

 

[Forrest Gimp]

Interesting to see you guys reaction here. Me and a few mates were actually at the O2 (second UFC this year after Birmingham a few months back) basically everyone we spoke to straight after the fight thought that it should have gone 29-28 to Franklin. Not sure why but he looked more dominant live...I've watched the replay and I can see why they scored it the way they did though. Majority of the card was awesome to watch the crowd was into most of the fights in a BIG way! But then, I was also pretty drunk

We also got photos taken with Joe Rogan AND Bruce Buffer not to brag or anything!!

Sounds awesome. Lucky bastard.

 

[gytre]

Personally, I thought UFC 93 looked like a pretty ordinary card on paper, but I was pretty happy with how it turned out. Most of the fights were very entertaining.

Light Heavyweight bout: Rich Franklin vs Dan Henderson - This was a really hard fight to pick the winner of and it turned out to be the very even fight it promised to be. Franklin displayed his outstanding cardio by getting well on top in the third round, but Hendo had already outfought him in the first two. I was happy with the judge's decision - I thought they got it right. I wish this fight had have gone five rounds though. That would have made it even more interesting.

Light Heavyweight bout: Mark Coleman vs Mauricio Rua - Some of you may be praising Coleman for his courage, and fair enough on that score, but I was extremely disappointed with this fight because Coleman was gassed by the end of the first round and because Rua failed to put him away until the end of the third. Mark Coleman is 44 years old and he's not exactly Randy Couture in the cardio stakes. Sometimes you need to know when to quit. It was embarrassing watching Coleman fight and also saddening to see a Hall Of Famer put in a performance like that. FFS man, hang up your gloves.

As for Rua, majorly disappointing. Should have destroyed Coleman whose hands were dropped down around his waist for much of the fight. Like I said, this fight was embarrassing, and worse still, Coleman is under the delusion he can beat Rua in a rematch.

Middleweight bout: Alan Belcher vs Denis Kang - This fight epitomised to me what is so fantastic about MMA as a sport. Denis Kang was very impressive in his debut, dominating much of the first two rounds, both on the ground and in the stand-up. And then Belcher, after hanging in gamely for two rounds, just gets Kang in a fantastic finishing move to score the biggest win of his career. Take a bow, Alan Belcher! Highly entertaining fight.

Middleweight bout: Jeremy Horn vs Rousimar Palhares - I have to admit, I love watching a really top BJJ exponent in action and there's few better than Palhares. Unfortunately, he broke his hand during the fight and wasn't able to deliver his best performance. A gallant effort by Horn, who always entertains, but in the end, he was outclassed by a top middleweight.

Welterweight bout: Marcus Davis vs Chris Lytle - This fight promised a lot and I think it's fair to say it delivered - and then some. Fantastically entertaining match - one of the classics. Full credit to both fighters.

Welterweight bout: Tom Egan vs John Hathaway - Hathaway impressive in his octogan debut. Look forward to seeing more of him.