UFC 93: Henderson vs Franklin, Shogun Returns

350zex · 10-01-2008, 08:10 AM

http://mmajunkie.com/news/12900/ufc-...-announced.mma

Quote:

The Ultimate Fighting Championship will head to Dublin, Ireland, for the first time in the organization's history for a Jan. 17 pay-per-view event at The O2.

As MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) first reported on Tuesday, the event features a headline bout of former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin (24-3 MMA, 11-2 UFC) vs. former PRIDE title-holder Dan Henderson (23-7 MMA, 3-2 UFC).

Additionally, the organization announced UFC hall-of-famer Mark Coleman (15-8 MMA, 6-3 UFC) will meet former PRIDE stand-out Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (16-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC) in a long-awaited rematch.

The Franklin-Henderson fight will take place at 205 pounds.

"Rich Franklin vs. Dan Henderson is a battle between two great former champions who are both looking to get another chance to wear a world title around their waist," UFC President Dana White stated in a press release. "These are two fan favorites with a lot of pride on the line as they want to show that they are still among the very best fighters in the world."

Franklin recently took his first light-heavyweight fight in more than three years and defeated Matt Hamill via third-round TKO at UFC 88. Aside from two losses to current middleweight champ Anderson Silva, Franklin has won his past 12 fights -- all but two via stoppage.

Henderson, meanwhile, picked up his first UFC victory in more than 10 years with a unanimous-decision victory over Rousimar Palhares earlier this month at UFC 88. Prior to the loss, Henderson arrived from PRIDE and suffered championship losses to then-UFC light heavyweight champ Quinton Jackson at UFC 75 and Silva at UFC 82

"Dan Henderson has great credentials, and he is going to be one of the toughest fights of my career," Franklin stated. "That being said, I'm planning on winning the fight, and I'm looking forward to fighting in the main event and fighting in Ireland. I love the fans, and the way they react by singing and chanting makes it a unique experience for me."

Coleman, meanwhile, will return to the octagon for the first time in more than nine years. After his induction into the UFC Hall of Fame earlier this year, Coleman announced he had signed a multi-fight deal with the UFC so he could return to competition. He was slated to fight Brock Lesnar in August at UFC 87 but was forced to pull out of the event with an injury.

In February 2006 Coleman defeated Rua at PRIDE 31; Rua suffered a broken arm in the fight, and the bout was halted after just 49 seconds. Rumors of the possible rematch first surfaced over the summer. At the time, Coleman told MMAjunkie.com that he wasn't opposed to the fight -- but that it wasn't necessarily his first choice either.

"I've never picked my opponents since the beginning," Coleman said. "I don't go around picking my opponents. I let the promoter do that. Whoever the promoter picks, that's obviously who the fans want to see.

"If [a fight with Rua] is something that interests the fans, if that's something that the UFC wants to make happen, I don't go around turning down fights. 'Shogun' is fine."

Rua will also return from recent injury. The Brazilian went under the knife after he made his UFC debut against Forrest Griffin in September 2007 and suffered an upset submission loss.

Tickets for the event will go on sale shortly.

Henderson vs Franklin should be great, and a tune-up fight for Shogun isn't a bad idea either. I'd really like to see him return to 2005 form.

skooly · 10-01-2008, 08:15 AM

It's about time they matched up Franklin with Hendo.

At 205, I think Hendo has the edge. I'd have rather seen this fight at 185 though.

350zex · 10-01-2008, 08:28 AM

I'm think it's at 205 because of Franklin just moved up and wants to bulk up. Dan still wants to fight Silva again, so winning this fight and jumping back to 185 will probably warrant another shot.

Mikey-Z · 10-01-2008, 10:32 AM

Great match making. I've always wanted that fight to happen.

Smart match-making with Shogun. Gives him a chance to highlight reel someone and bring him back w/o giving him too much for his 1st fight in over a year.

I say Hendo by split decision and Shogun by knee-bar.

black06z · 10-01-2008, 10:40 AM

Hendo vs Franklin is gonna be a good fight. I take Hendo on this one.

fallenromeo · 10-02-2008, 11:02 AM

Isn't coleman a former heavyweight? Shogun is 205....what weight class is that fight going to happen at?

Fluid1 · 10-02-2008, 12:20 PM

^+1 I'd have to think it was 205 but I bet Shogun got a little fat after his injury lol

I don't see Franklin winning against Danny boy. He's a faster striker, but that's about it.

USN HM 350Z · 10-02-2008, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fluid1

^+1 I'd have to think it was 205 but I bet Shogun got a little fat after his injury lol

I don't see Franklin winning against Danny boy. He's a faster striker, but that's about it.

+ Dan has a head made out of brick. Franklin will break his hand during this match if he hits Dan to hard. Dan by decision, unless he lands a good right and then he will lay Franklin out.

Fluid1 · 10-02-2008, 04:52 PM

Agreed completely. Of course, I want Dan to win. Then fight Silva again......but at 205. If AS is only fighting 5-6 more fights, it sucks that one has to be wasted against Patrick Cote.

stu46 · 10-02-2008, 08:46 PM

If Franklin can stay on the outside and avoid the clinch, he can win a boring decision by out-pointing Dan.

Fluid1 · 10-03-2008, 06:07 AM

I don't think Rich is that kind of fighter though. Too much pride

stu46 · 10-03-2008, 10:26 AM

He doesn't punch hard enough to put Dan away, so he's better off just out pointing him on the feet. He should be good enough to negate Dan's ground work.

Fluid1 · 10-03-2008, 11:46 AM

You think he's going to go with that game plan? Dan is a one punch KO guy still

USN HM 350Z · 10-03-2008, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fluid1

You think he's going to go with that game plan? Dan is a one punch KO guy still

plus, I don't think Dan will have any problems taking him down if he gets in close.

Fluid1 · 10-03-2008, 12:02 PM

...and when they get on the ground, Franklin isn't as gifted as Pahlares(sp) in BJJ so that may be where Dan wants to end up if he's getting out pointed

rkd350z · 10-05-2008, 03:44 PM

Please Shogun, just show us what you have.. I know you can **** anyone in ur weight class.. just show us 100%!!!!!!!

Highway Riding · 10-15-2008, 08:32 AM

I think Rich will make this fight that will suprise most... He has a very underrated ground game and good wrestling. Dan has a little more in his arsenal as far as KO power so again i think this is just a fight the hardcore fans deserve at whatever weight..

10-01-2008, 08:15 AM	#2
skooly Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Down South Posts: 4,890 iTrader: (0)	It's about time they matched up Franklin with Hendo. At 205, I think Hendo has the edge. I'd have rather seen this fight at 185 though. __________________ Down by law.

10-01-2008, 10:40 AM	#5
black06z Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Hypocritical World Posts: 5,822 iTrader: (1)	Hendo vs Franklin is gonna be a good fight. I take Hendo on this one. __________________ 2004 Chrome Silver * 2006 stock intake * Berk Tech HFC * custom 2.5" piping/resonator with Apexi N1 Muffler * Tein S. Tech w/ Spring mount cut -.7 * Tokico D-Spec Shocks* 20mm/25mm spacers * G35 OEM 18" wheels*Federal SS595 tires http://americanbodybuilding.com/v1/index.php http://gasparinutrition.com/http://www.bsnonline.net/products/pr...d=834266006205

10-02-2008, 12:20 PM	#7
Fluid1 Hater Join Date: May 2005 Location: The End of The Line Posts: 10,824 iTrader: (17)	^+1 I'd have to think it was 205 but I bet Shogun got a little fat after his injury lol I don't see Franklin winning against Danny boy. He's a faster striker, but that's about it. __________________ Originally Posted by MC: if shamrock KO's kimbo i'll tap dance on the hood of my GTR in high heels.

10-02-2008, 04:52 PM	#9
Fluid1 Hater Join Date: May 2005 Location: The End of The Line Posts: 10,824 iTrader: (17)	Agreed completely. Of course, I want Dan to win. Then fight Silva again......but at 205. If AS is only fighting 5-6 more fights, it sucks that one has to be wasted against Patrick Cote. __________________ Originally Posted by MC: if shamrock KO's kimbo i'll tap dance on the hood of my GTR in high heels.

10-03-2008, 06:07 AM	#11
Fluid1 Hater Join Date: May 2005 Location: The End of The Line Posts: 10,824 iTrader: (17)	I don't think Rich is that kind of fighter though. Too much pride __________________ Originally Posted by MC: if shamrock KO's kimbo i'll tap dance on the hood of my GTR in high heels.

10-01-2008, 08:28 AM	#3
350zex Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: memphis Posts: 196 iTrader: (0)	I'm think it's at 205 because of Franklin just moved up and wants to bulk up. Dan still wants to fight Silva again, so winning this fight and jumping back to 185 will probably warrant another shot.

10-01-2008, 10:32 AM	#4
Mikey-Z Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 264 iTrader: (2)	Great match making. I've always wanted that fight to happen. Smart match-making with Shogun. Gives him a chance to highlight reel someone and bring him back w/o giving him too much for his 1st fight in over a year. I say Hendo by split decision and Shogun by knee-bar.

10-02-2008, 11:02 AM	#6
fallenromeo Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: The Cubicle of Hate Posts: 3,969 iTrader: (3)	Isn't coleman a former heavyweight? Shogun is 205....what weight class is that fight going to happen at?

10-02-2008, 08:46 PM	#10
stu46 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Hawaii Posts: 4,121 iTrader: (0)	If Franklin can stay on the outside and avoid the clinch, he can win a boring decision by out-pointing Dan.

10-03-2008, 10:26 AM	#12
stu46 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Hawaii Posts: 4,121 iTrader: (0)	He doesn't punch hard enough to put Dan away, so he's better off just out pointing him on the feet. He should be good enough to negate Dan's ground work.

10-03-2008, 11:46 AM	#13
Fluid1 Hater Join Date: May 2005 Location: The End of The Line Posts: 10,824 iTrader: (17)	You think he's going to go with that game plan? Dan is a one punch KO guy still __________________ Originally Posted by MC: if shamrock KO's kimbo i'll tap dance on the hood of my GTR in high heels.

10-03-2008, 12:02 PM	#15
Fluid1 Hater Join Date: May 2005 Location: The End of The Line Posts: 10,824 iTrader: (17)	...and when they get on the ground, Franklin isn't as gifted as Pahlares(sp) in BJJ so that may be where Dan wants to end up if he's getting out pointed __________________ Originally Posted by MC: if shamrock KO's kimbo i'll tap dance on the hood of my GTR in high heels.

10-05-2008, 03:44 PM	#16
rkd350z Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: So Cal Posts: 1,191 iTrader: (0)	Please Shogun, just show us what you have.. I know you can **** anyone in ur weight class.. just show us 100%!!!!!!! __________________

10-15-2008, 08:32 AM	#17
Highway Riding Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: North NJ Posts: 921 iTrader: (1)	I think Rich will make this fight that will suprise most... He has a very underrated ground game and good wrestling. Dan has a little more in his arsenal as far as KO power so again i think this is just a fight the hardcore fans deserve at whatever weight.. __________________ The Sun Rises In The EAST!