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ROUNDTABLE (pt. 2 of 2): Rich Franklin vs. Chuck Liddell predictions - who wins and how? Carter, Shelby, Lee, Hyden, Matthew, Pelkey and Penick
Jun 11, 2010 - 1:44:58 PM ROUNDTABLE (pt. 2 of 2): Rich Franklin vs. Chuck Liddell predictions - who wins and how? Carter, Shelby, Lee, Hyden, Matthew, Pelkey and Penick

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

ALVIN CARTER, MMATORCH SPECIALIST

I actually think Rich Franklin is going to get this one. I like Chuck, but I am remembering what happened fourteen months ago... and a few months before that. I also want to see Rich Franklin somewhere on a top 10 list, and this fight will get him closer. I think if Chuck does pull out a victory, it will either be a quick knockout in the first round, or a late third round knockout when they are both gassed. But, it will probably be a decision for Franklin.

TOBEN SHELBY, MMATORCH AUDIO CO-HOST

First and foremost, I like this fight way more than “Chuck beats Tito 3.” It’s a much more intriguing matchup, and while the outcome might not impact the light-heavyweight division, I’m excited to see two UFC veterans who haven’t fought each other yet and aren’t (both) years past their prime. Anyway, I think Rich Franklin can pull out a decision win over Chuck Liddell.

While I don’t envision either fighter making another run for a belt, I believe Franklin has more left in the tank than Liddell at this point their careers. Certainly Chuck could land his trademark overhand right and end Franklin’s night early, but I’m just not sure how high a level Liddell can compete at anymore. Franklin looked bad in his last fight against Vitor Belfort, but he hasn’t made a habit of it like Liddell seems to have done in several fights. If Franklin picks his spot and avoids a slugfest I expect him to outlast Liddell.

ERIC LEE, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

While Rich Franklin is one of the hardest working and smartest fighters, he has shown in the past the he doesn't have the strongest chin. And we all know that Chuck Liddell is a knockout machine, though he's had some recent chin troubles himself. This is a very even match up but I see Rich Franklin winning by TKO in the 3rd round.

FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I think Rich Franklin wins by decision. I won't be surprised if Chuck Liddell wins, but I don't think this fight will be that good. Maybe if this was 2006 instead of 2010, we'd have a mega-fight. As it stands, it's a battle of two guys who've both seen better days.

SAM MATTHEW, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Two aging legends who both tend to prefer striking should make for an entertaining main event at UFC 115. With Rich Franklin’s more well-rounded kickboxing style I would probably favor him slightly, though I respect Liddell’s newfound devotion to conditioning and his punches are always lethal. Look for Franklin to work leg and body kicks from a distance circling outside out of punching range while raising knees when Liddell closes in. The Iceman can find an opportune moment to counter on Franklin’s kicks, however, and could stage his return with a knockout.

MATT PELKEY, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

I like youth in this one. Not that Rich Franklin is exactly a fight-game spring chicken at 35, but he's also not 41 with three knockout losses in his last five fights. The time away very well could've helped Chuck Liddell clear the fog out of his head and let him heal, but I doubt its done much for his chin or his ever-decreasing power. Franklin out-works him and wins a decision, but it won't be inspiring stuff from either man.

JAMIE PENICK, MMATORCH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Liddell's got a good idea of what Franklin will attempt to do in this fight, as Rich's gameplan will be to use his leg and body kicks, along with a steady stream of his jab, to keep Liddell at a distance, popping in with combinations and doing some damage on multiple occasions. Chuck will need to check the kicks and get in close enough to land the big right hand, and while he's certainly got the power to knock Rich out, that may be his only path to victory at this point.

If Rich can avoid getting tagged with the right hand, I'd expect him to successfully implement a solid gameplan and win at least two of the rounds with effective striking while avoiding damage. I can certainly see a Liddell KO coming, but I think Rich gets back on track and starts to climb up the light heavyweight division. Of the two, Franklin's the one I'd give at least a chance to return to a Title shot before his career is done. Franklin by unanimous decision.

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?

RELATED STORY: Part one of this roundtable with responses from Sutcliffe, Hansen, Perez, Hobaugh, Williams, Bacior and Amadi: [CLICK TO READ FULL ARTICLE]