Chuck Liddell vs. Rich Franklin Preview

Though Liddell may not be considered a top light heavyweight fighter any longer, he is still good enough to take a C+ level fighter in Franklin. In his “heyday” Liddell went against some of the best in the game—Tito Ortiz, Renato Sobral, Randy Couture, Jeremy Horn, Vernon White, Alistair Overeem, Amar Suloev, Vitor Belfort, Murilo Bustamante, Kevin Randleman, Guy Mezger and Jeff Monson. Even in his fighting prime Franklin would have been too slow and feeble to take out Liddell—it is highly unlikely he can do so now.

https://www.fighting-mma.com/mma-matchups/2010/ufc-115-chuck-liddell-rich-franklin.php

sorry man, but Liddell's time has passed. Already on Franklin and not too concerned of losing it.

im with u fighting.....  i dont think franklin has the power to ko liddell....  hes the more technical striker but i think chuck with find a way to win.... frankilins 185 run was against mostly nonquality opponents....  not that liddell is on fire but gimmie the dog here he has had enough time to recover from that run of ko's..... i hope

I can't concur that Rich is a C+ fighter, but if that is his current grade, then certainly coming off multiple ko losses and the inactivity, Chuck is barely passing.In my book, that's generously a C.

Furthermore, the opening odds were not as you claim, but actually -115 both ways. I'm on Rich at that price and very comfortable with my play.

Thanks for the review though.

If Liddell wants to wrestle, he very likely wins a 30-27 decision. If he doesn't, he probably gets kicked in the legs and body for 15 minutes.

It's worth noting that Franklin has a poor chin and isn't beyond being dropped in fights he's up 3 points on in 10 minutes (see Loiseau Franklin at UFC 58). Evan Tanner also dropped this man.

So the way I see it, Liddell can wrestle to win a comfortable decision, or fight on the feet where he at best has a 50% chance to land something big. Combined with + odds, and Liddell is at +140 now at 5dimes, I think he's worth a small play but nothing major.

I am already on Franklin as well.

Franklin

Franklin all day long here.... Chuck's head, body, and heart are not all in it like he used to be.  Time to pass the torch.... for good.

not an easy call, also leaning towards franklin but probably wont bet on it...

Chuck can get his abs in great shape, but can he strengthen his chin?
Can he pull the string? Those are the two areas where he had clearly taken a step backward.

I guess I must be missing something here.  How can everyone be so high on Franklin?  His has a glass chin.  So for the clown that said an "at best 50-50 for Lidell if they stand" I think is a joke.  I guess I must be one of the few who thinks Franklin hasn't beaten anyone worth mentioning in years.    He's been whipped by Anderson Silva twice, lost to Dan Henderson, got DESTROYED by Vitor Belfort.  He did beat Wanderlei Silva, but who hasn't of late?

 

My personal opinion is Lidell wins this by KO.  Not that I think Chuck is the Ice Man of 4-5 years ago, but that I think he lands the one shot to break the glass.

 

 

Good luck.

Both have shown no jaws as of recent thus its either has to be a small play on the ice man or no play at all.

 

I'm on Liddell also

i just saw liddell working out in studio 55 gym in vancouver he looks good

in my opinion both fighters are not as good as the ufc maked them out ot be

wreslting wise it is hard to take liddell down, franklin is no star in wrestling

it will be stadning and franklin will get hit and go down

im going with franklin, theres no way in hell i would bet on a fighter who is 1-4 in his last 5 fights and is 40.Chucks washed up and has been ko'd in 3 of his last 4 loses.Chucks slowed way down and his chin has weakened. If the fight stay on the feet rich will pick chuck apart and get a UD or a KO.

rich doesnt have a glass chin.Anderson dominates everyone, and in the fight with hendo rich outboxed him and loss a close split decision.He got caught by vitor who has alot of speed.If you want to talk about weak chins look at whats happened to chuck recently.hes been KO'd in 3 of his last 4 loses. He got knocked down by kieth jardine and silva.Chucks one of the greatest fighter of all time, but its pretty clear he doent have it anymore. His skill have diminished and hes a shell of his former self.

 

With that being said, I'm taking Liddell and I think he knocks him out.

I guess Liddell proved to have the glass jaw.  Nice call.  Chuck needs not to EVER fight again.  No defense.