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28-01-2011, 19:41
Interview: Rich "Ace" Franklin
http://cdn-w.mmabay.co.uk/mmabay/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/RichFranklin-300x2002.jpg
You were last in action in June, taking on MMA legend and UFC “Hall of Famer”, Chuck Liddell in the main event of UFC 115. Can you give us your thoughts on the fight and what you think went well for you that night in Vancouver?
Franklin – Well, I won and that’s always a plus. I have to give a ton of credit to Chuck. He looked, in my opinion, the best in his career. He was mixing things up well throwing high kicks and takedowns. After he broke my arm, I spent a good portion of the first round in survival mode.
Chuck recently announced his retirement from mixed martial arts, making you the last person to face him inside the octagon. Can you give us a little insight on being around “The Iceman” over the years, including your time together on “The Ultimate Fighter”, as well as a few highlights for you from his career?
Franklin – Chuck and I had a chance to develop a bit of a friendship over the years. I can remember sitting next to him and Matt Hughes at fights and they would put me in head locks and beat on me like two big brothers. It was very difficult to defend yourself against two world champs. Chuck is a great guy both inside and outside the octagon.
You suffered a nasty looking broken arm during the fight after he landed a hard kick. Can you tell us a little about your rehabilitation and whether it’s back to 100% ahead of your return to action?
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ8Kz1HVQ20rUFbZ-B4-DUo250BrBjsA3xfdbwTLf2c24YWq8WEOw7dm8re
Franklin – There wasn’t much rehab. I wore a cast from hand to bicep for four weeks, then they reduced the cast below the elbow for four weeks, and finally had a removable cast for another two weeks. Other than strengthening that hand from lack of use, I didn’t have to do much else.
Speaking of your return, you face former light heavyweight champion, Forrest Griffin at UFC 126 early next month in Las Vegas, Nevada. It’s often been said that you’re very similar fighters in terms of style and sheer guts. Do you agree with that assessment and why?
Franklin – Yep…I talked about it in the countdown interview. We fight alike…very aggressive and we get stronger as the fight goes on. And, people think we even look alike.
Have you been working on any particular aspects of your game ahead of the fight with Forrest due to any concerns you might have or has this been a pretty normal training camp for you this time around? If so, what does it involve?
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTDSSXkLtFKgt62LFnTxMdhhHyZ4vNi8 hNhZXMq4Y5e0SMvPUkixT5Ruw7hxw
Franklin – I’ve never understood why interviewers ask this question. Fighters never divulge anything but fluff for this question. I decided to do my entire camp in Cincinnati for this fight, and yes, we are working on specific things for Forrest. However, in prep I focus on what I do best and tend not to worry about my opponent. Focus on the things you can control.
You are a long reigning former middleweight champion who has made the step up in weight over the past couple of years to 205 pounds and faces another former champion at that weight. Where do you think a win puts you in the light heavyweight divisions rankings should you get it?
Franklin – I really don’t know. I’ve yet to see my name in the top 10 in the 205 pound rankings. I don’t believe it will immediately put me in title contention though.
Another interesting light heavyweight clash set for early next year involves the legendary Randy Couture and karate master, Lyoto Machida. Although I’m sure you’re not overlooking Forrest Griffin, would you be interested in facing the winner of that one especially if it’s Machida as he holds a win over you from earlier in your career?
Franklin – If that fight makes sense, then I would fight. I’m not about avenging losses. You can’t change the past, only direct the future. So, fighting Machida for example, would have nothing to do with my loss.
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQpTaMeOb5bSXnA3bCjer3NrAC2x5tMT 68Yorn4vr3jypX5H8nnoGyELENzCQ
Many fans like to debate who they feel is the top “pound for pound” fighter in the world on a weekly basis. Names such as your former foe, Anderson Silva, welterweight champion, Georges St. Pierre and even Strikeforce, DREAM and K-1 champion, Alistair Overeem have all been mentioned. Who takes the title for you at this point and why?
Franklin – I think I analyze these questions too much. When you begin talking pound for pound, you have to ask questions like…would Alistair hit as hard as a 170, or would GSP be as active or as fast as a Heavy Weight? And this could go on all day. I really don’t like thinking about the best pound for pound scenarios.
Finally, for any new fans that will be tuning in for the first time on February 5th, what can we expect from you at UFC 126?
Franklin – The same thing you always expect to see…an entertaining fight!
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQyGHtjKw7me5NqDUzaFgFZMUKG4Gegc Li9K5Uk3FzvcGDPX-BvEw
Have you got any sponsors you’d like to mention or people you’d like to thank before we finish?
Franklin - Of Course American Fighter. We have just re tooled our new designs and will have the new walk out shirt for the fans January 27th. I hope everyone will visit my site www.richfranklin.com (http://www.richfranklin.com/). Thanks!
Thanks for taking the time...
Franklin – Thanks
http://cdn-w.mmabay.co.uk/mmabay/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/RichFranklin-300x2002.jpg
You were last in action in June, taking on MMA legend and UFC “Hall of Famer”, Chuck Liddell in the main event of UFC 115. Can you give us your thoughts on the fight and what you think went well for you that night in Vancouver?
Franklin – Well, I won and that’s always a plus. I have to give a ton of credit to Chuck. He looked, in my opinion, the best in his career. He was mixing things up well throwing high kicks and takedowns. After he broke my arm, I spent a good portion of the first round in survival mode.
Chuck recently announced his retirement from mixed martial arts, making you the last person to face him inside the octagon. Can you give us a little insight on being around “The Iceman” over the years, including your time together on “The Ultimate Fighter”, as well as a few highlights for you from his career?
Franklin – Chuck and I had a chance to develop a bit of a friendship over the years. I can remember sitting next to him and Matt Hughes at fights and they would put me in head locks and beat on me like two big brothers. It was very difficult to defend yourself against two world champs. Chuck is a great guy both inside and outside the octagon.
You suffered a nasty looking broken arm during the fight after he landed a hard kick. Can you tell us a little about your rehabilitation and whether it’s back to 100% ahead of your return to action?
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ8Kz1HVQ20rUFbZ-B4-DUo250BrBjsA3xfdbwTLf2c24YWq8WEOw7dm8re
Franklin – There wasn’t much rehab. I wore a cast from hand to bicep for four weeks, then they reduced the cast below the elbow for four weeks, and finally had a removable cast for another two weeks. Other than strengthening that hand from lack of use, I didn’t have to do much else.
Speaking of your return, you face former light heavyweight champion, Forrest Griffin at UFC 126 early next month in Las Vegas, Nevada. It’s often been said that you’re very similar fighters in terms of style and sheer guts. Do you agree with that assessment and why?
Franklin – Yep…I talked about it in the countdown interview. We fight alike…very aggressive and we get stronger as the fight goes on. And, people think we even look alike.
Have you been working on any particular aspects of your game ahead of the fight with Forrest due to any concerns you might have or has this been a pretty normal training camp for you this time around? If so, what does it involve?
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTDSSXkLtFKgt62LFnTxMdhhHyZ4vNi8 hNhZXMq4Y5e0SMvPUkixT5Ruw7hxw
Franklin – I’ve never understood why interviewers ask this question. Fighters never divulge anything but fluff for this question. I decided to do my entire camp in Cincinnati for this fight, and yes, we are working on specific things for Forrest. However, in prep I focus on what I do best and tend not to worry about my opponent. Focus on the things you can control.
You are a long reigning former middleweight champion who has made the step up in weight over the past couple of years to 205 pounds and faces another former champion at that weight. Where do you think a win puts you in the light heavyweight divisions rankings should you get it?
Franklin – I really don’t know. I’ve yet to see my name in the top 10 in the 205 pound rankings. I don’t believe it will immediately put me in title contention though.
Another interesting light heavyweight clash set for early next year involves the legendary Randy Couture and karate master, Lyoto Machida. Although I’m sure you’re not overlooking Forrest Griffin, would you be interested in facing the winner of that one especially if it’s Machida as he holds a win over you from earlier in your career?
Franklin – If that fight makes sense, then I would fight. I’m not about avenging losses. You can’t change the past, only direct the future. So, fighting Machida for example, would have nothing to do with my loss.
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQpTaMeOb5bSXnA3bCjer3NrAC2x5tMT 68Yorn4vr3jypX5H8nnoGyELENzCQ
Many fans like to debate who they feel is the top “pound for pound” fighter in the world on a weekly basis. Names such as your former foe, Anderson Silva, welterweight champion, Georges St. Pierre and even Strikeforce, DREAM and K-1 champion, Alistair Overeem have all been mentioned. Who takes the title for you at this point and why?
Franklin – I think I analyze these questions too much. When you begin talking pound for pound, you have to ask questions like…would Alistair hit as hard as a 170, or would GSP be as active or as fast as a Heavy Weight? And this could go on all day. I really don’t like thinking about the best pound for pound scenarios.
Finally, for any new fans that will be tuning in for the first time on February 5th, what can we expect from you at UFC 126?
Franklin – The same thing you always expect to see…an entertaining fight!
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQyGHtjKw7me5NqDUzaFgFZMUKG4Gegc Li9K5Uk3FzvcGDPX-BvEw
Have you got any sponsors you’d like to mention or people you’d like to thank before we finish?
Franklin - Of Course American Fighter. We have just re tooled our new designs and will have the new walk out shirt for the fans January 27th. I hope everyone will visit my site www.richfranklin.com (http://www.richfranklin.com/). Thanks!
Thanks for taking the time...
Franklin – Thanks