Pros Pick: Franklin vs. Belfort

Mike Thomas Brown: You don’t want my pick. I’m always wrong!

Brad Blackburn: I agree with what Mike “Browny Pants” says about himself.

Robin Black: This is a sweet, sweet fight. Definitely hard to predict. Franklin uses that left body kick a LOT, with great results, but that could get him in trouble this time. Belfort is working his striking with Shawn Tompkins, who is the man. Training to take that kick and answer back viciously with hands is right up Shawn's alley. I think Belfort will surprise a lot of people with his striking and will take this fight.

Kit Cope: I'm sure you're getting a lot of "depends on which Vitor shows up.” However, this fight will start with Vitor being very aggressive and explosive and Rich weathering the storm and taking advantage of Belfort late in the fight. It'll be a decision win for Rich.

Cung Le: Vitor by TKO.

Bill Mesi: With this fight you gotta ask yourself which "Phenom" shows up? The one who almost killed “The Law,” or is the old Vitor that got demolished in his last couple of UFC bouts gonna show up? If old Vitor enters the ring, it’s night time for Rich.

Mike Ciesnolevicz: I think Rich will be in better shape, have a more solid game plan and outwork Belfort to the unanimous decision victory.

Stav Economou: Belfort (via) KO first round.

Tom Gavrilos: My only issue with Vitor is his consistency. If the best Vitor shows up, Franklin is going to have a handful dealing with the blazing hand speed and even more trouble on the ground. That being said, Franklin looks great at this weight and is a consistent and very technical fighter. … For that reason I’m picking Franklin by decision.

Jamie Varner: I like Rich in this one by decision.

Michael Guymon: Franklin will be too much for Vitor. It's gonna be won in the later rounds via decision. Bank on it!

Elvis Sinosic: This is an interesting fight but at a strange catch-weight. It seems just a match for match’s sake. Rich wants to fight at 205 and Vitor at 185. I think they should fight in their respective division. Neither guy gains anything from this match. Saying that, both guys are very talented. Both A-class strikers. Both are southpaws. Both have functional grappling but generally prefer to bang. If both guys come to put on a show, we could have some fireworks.

Vitor works very well in a straight line. Rich likes his angles. Belfort is predominantly a puncher but has shown flashes of a more rounded game in previous fights. Rich of late has really been working on his arsenal, adding more kicks and knees to his repertoire. If it stays a striking match, you could see some very technical and exciting exchanges. I think we could see both guys use their standup to test the waters and, if problems arise, go to the ground to neutralize the risk. Both have good takedowns, but neither is spectacular in that area. I think Belfort has the stronger ground game (being an ADCC veteran), though Rich has shown time and time again that he is no slouch on the ground.

The real question is how will Vitor fare in the later rounds. He has shown he can win early with spectacular results, (but) how will he do being pushed to the third round? How will he handle the pressure if he gets as good as he gives? That was one of Vitor’s downfalls earlier in his career. Has he overcome those obstacles? From what I have seen, I think he has. From my observations he seems a much more focused and balanced fighter in the best shape of his career.

I think we will see an exciting back-and-forth match. I can see either guy tagging the other and finishing with a TKO. I don't expect a submission unless one of the guys hurts the other first. If it is a finish, it will most likely be from a big punch or some G&P. Saying that, I think the weight class and Rich's versatility may come out in this match. I think Rich will show a variety of attacks, working the angles and keeping Vitor from moving forward effectively. I think Vitor will show some brilliance in this match and show that he is definitely a contender at 185. Though it is a tough call and I think it can go either way, I am going against the majority and I am picking Rich via decision.

Elvis,
It's good to be the King.

Erin Toughill: I’ll pick Vitor. If he can show up like the Vitor we all knew (and were blown away with) when he came into the fight game, he can take this one. I’ve been watching Vitor train at Xtreme Couture, and he’s ready for a war. I’d like Vitor to create an opening and then capitalize on it with his speed and power and get that KO. Vitor via KO (in the) second round.

Patrick Cote: I’m going with Belfort. He is very solid at 185.

Pros who picked Franklin: 11
Pros who picked Belfort: 15
Pros who couldn’t decide: 4