Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE (pt. 1 of 2): Rich Franklin vs. Chuck Liddell predictions - who wins and how? Sutcliffe, Hansen, Perez, Hobaugh, Williams, Bacior and Amadi
Jun 9, 2010 - 7:26:32 PM ROUNDTABLE (pt. 1 of 2): Rich Franklin vs. Chuck Liddell predictions - who wins and how? Sutcliffe, Hansen, Perez, Hobaugh, Williams, Bacior and Amadi

DISCUSS ALL THIS IN OUR NEW MMATORCH FORUM

...OH, ONE MORE THING - PLEASE BOOKMARK US & VISIT DAILY!

Predict the outcome for Saturday's UFC 115 main event between Chuck Liddell and Rich Franklin. Who wins and how?

STEVE SUTCLIFFE, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Chuck Liddell, second round knockout. I don't see this fight going to the judge's scorecards and therefore I give the edge to the Iceman, although I don't consider him a heavy favorite.

RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I don't normally like to do fight analysis, because who the hell am I but some guy who watches fights? That said, anything other than Franklin by decision would surprise me very much.

ANWAR PEREZ, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

This is a fight that both Rich Franklin and Chuck Liddell need to win. Liddell needs it to keep some sort of relevance and legacy alive, while Franklin needs it to move forward towards one last title shot. I think the boat has passed on Liddell, and Franklin is seeing the ship coming his way as well, but Franklin, I believe, has one last run in him, and I see him taking this fight via TKO in the third. Franklin will utilize a good game plan and overcome any obstacles that the "Iceman" throws his way (i.e. overhand rights). This loss would in no way diminish the legacy of Liddell, but further push the need for his retirement.

ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH SPECIALIST

Even though I feel like the buy rate for this event will be low, this “Super Fight” is an intriguing one. Both fighters need a win to stay relevant in 2010. In my opinion, Rich Franklin has fallen farther down and has lost more of his skills. I think Chuck Liddell will return to his winning ways with his wrestling and striking (watch for his kicking strategy to re-emerge in this fight). I feel like he will use his wrestling to control the standup and that will set-up his boxing. Even though Franklin is a better athlete, his wrestling and stand up are not in the same league as Liddell. Chuck knocks out Rich late in the second.

ALEX WILLIAMS, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Rich Franklin wins. Liddell looks in great shape, but I'm reminded of an apocryphal story I heard about Muhammad Ali from late in his career. An old boxing hand told Ali that he shouldn't keep fighting. Ali took his shirt off, pointed to his abs and said, "Look at me." The man responded, "I know, champ, but it doesn't matter." All the conditioning in the world can't bring back Liddell's reflexes or his chin. Franklin outstrikes Liddell, but never presses seriously for the KO so as to avoid Liddell's power shots. Franklin takes the decision.

MIKE BACIOR, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I predict Rich Franklin to win via unanimous decision, using quick, effective strikes, and avoiding the power shots of Liddell. I do think Chuck will do enough to earn another fight, though.

JASON AMADI, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Close fight to call, but I’m picking Rich Franklin by unanimous decision. Rich Franklin is just more likely to pick him apart and score points than Liddell is to catch him with the one big shot he needs.

UPCOMING ROUNDTABLE QUESTIONS

• Did the UFC do too much in hyping up the "grudge match" nature of the Rashad Evans vs. Quinton Jackson fight considering the actual fight itself didn't live up to the "grudge match" billing, or do the pay-per-view buy numbers justify their decision?

• If Frank Mir drops to light-heavyweight, name the three most intriguing even match-ups for him and predict how the fight would go.

• Which of the upcoming summer fight cards are you most excited for and why between UFC 116, 117 and 118?