Franklin vs. Silva this Saturday

[Snail Shell]

And my calls are as follows...

Josh Burkman vs. Forrest Petz

Petz has talent. No questions there. Burkman is just all-around better. They're giving this to Burkman in the hopes that he'll get himself back on track.
MY CALL: Burkman by Decision

Alan Belcher vs. Kalib Starnes

Starnes shocked everyone by beating Chris Leben, but honestly, he was my pick to win TUF 3. Belcher was cut from the show last-minute and hasn't had a great deal of luck against the other guys from that show so far.
MY CALL: Starnes by Decision

Eric Schafer vs. Stephan Bonnar

Say what you will, Bonnar won the fight for the TUF 1 crown against Forrest Griffin. There, I said it. As for this one, if Schafer can't score a quick submission, Bonnar should strike him down pretty easily.
MY CALL: Bonnar by TKO

Jason MacDonald vs. Yushin Okami

One of two things will happen. Either MacDonald will end up on top on the ground and win by submission or Okami will get on top on the ground and win by ground 'n pound. Either way, it'll be a fun fight.
MY CALL: Okami by TKO

Alvin Robinson vs. Jorge Gurgel

Robinson didn't show anything truly impressive in his debut against Kenny Florian and honestly, if Sherk gives up the belt on the anabolics charge, Gurgel would be one of my picks to take it home. He's aggressive, strong and well-rounded.
MY CALL: Gurgel by Decision

Tim Sylvia vs. Brandon Vera

Both of these guys have been out for a while (almost a year), which will be fun to watch. Here's the difference: Sylvia's known for knocking out smaller guys. Vera's known for knocking out bigger guys. Sylvia beat Assuerio Silva by Decision. Vera beat Silva by Submission. Sylvia's just reaching his prime now and hasn't stopped anyone since his lucky punch against Arlovski in their second fight. Vera has stopped everyone I've seen him against and is only getting better. Either guy can win with a golden punch, but if Vera plays is smart, he shouldn't have a problem.
MY CALL: Vera by KO/TKO

Anderson Silva vs. Rich Franklin

These are the two best 185ers in the world right now. No question about that. Here's the rub. Franklin's a great striker. Silva's a better striker. Franklin's good on the ground. Silva's better on the ground. Franklin's versed in submissions. Silva's a BJJ black belt. The only thing Franklin has on Silva is physical strength. To use it, he's got to get Silva down or against the cage. Either way, he's got to get through the strikes and avoid the clinch before he gets his ribs broken like last time.

Can Franklin win this fight? Certainly. Will he? Hard to say. He's against a man who is better than he is at everything that made him the champ in the first place. Homefield advantage will help, but it doesn't change the fact that it's one-on-one in that cage. It sucks too because if Franklin loses, he won't get another title shot until Silva loses the belt, which may not be for a very long time at the rate he's going.
MY CALL: Silva by KO/TKO

See you on Saturday!

Snail Shell

 

[Soulfly]

I think Rich "ACE" Franklin will reclaim the title.

 

[Bizkit]

Definately a good event.I was surprised how easily Anderson won that.Rich is damn tough guy and Anderson just mauled him,broke his nose again.It is a beautiful thing to watch Silva strike.He brings new meaning to the word graceful.I thought Vera looked really good against Sylvia despite the loss.The heavyweight division has my attention now.There should be some big fights in that division in the coming months.

 

[Snail Shell]

Solid event, but a few disappointments. Jorge Gurgel was sluggish against Robinson. Nobody likes a stoppage froma cut, but such was Starnes vs. Belcher.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Tim Sylvia is the most boring fighter in MMA. 13 minutes, he pinned Vera against the cage. 2 minutes, he threw pithy, nothing punches to win the decision. Vera deserves better and Sylvia has proven that he wants the championship without having to fight like a champion. Time Sylvia = embarrassment to MMA.

Anyways, that's my two cents. Silva's going to be 185 champ for a long, long time. Nobody's at his level at 185. All hail king Spider.

Snail Shell

 

[Raphael Sorel]

If Henderson doesn't drop at 185 ibs, so I would like to see a rematch between Silva and Okami.

 

[jugner]

Bisbing should drop to 185lbs. He's too small for 205lbs. Right now he's undefeated, but when his competition improves, he won't be.

 

[Raphael Sorel]

Bisbing should drop to 185lbs. He's too small for 205lbs. Right now he's undefeated, but when his competition improves, he won't be.

I think Evans is a bad match up for Bisping.

 

[Bizkit]

Anderson has said he wants to fight Matt Hughes possibly in the future.I am definately a Hughes fan but I dont think that would be a good move up for Matt.I would MUCH rather see GSP move up to fight Anderson.That fight would be unreal.GSP has a much better skill set to challenge Silva.Hughes/Silva could end up being a massacre.
On another note we should know Sherks fate in about a week.As for the M-1 uprising,Jeff Monson has been mentioned for a possible contender for Fedor.Fedors contract also allows him to fight outside of M-1 so we still may se him in the octagon.

 

[Snail Shell]

Unless they get some 205ers like Bisping and Henderson to drop weight, Silva's going to be the champion for a very long time. There's nobody close to his level at 185. Bisping won't last at 205. Say what you will, Hamill beat him.

And even then, Bisping will stand and trade with Silva (bad move) and Henderson will clinch with Silva (worse move). As much as I'd like to see Silva/GSP, it won't happen. Until he's had a long reign at 170, GSP's not going anywhere.

And Hughes has already said that he may retire after two or three more fights. Those would be beating Serra for the belt and re-losing it to GSP again. Maybe another against BJ Penn.

Finally, while I'm here, I may as well add again; BOO TIM SYLVIA!

Snail Shell