Pros Pick: Liddell vs. Franklin

Gabe Ruediger: This would have been an easy prediction if it were Tito vs. Chuck (Chuck by taunting beatdown). This matchup isn’t as easy to figure out. Both guys like to stand up, but both have shown ground skills when necessary. I was asked this question at this past UFC Expo and I went with Franklin. After thinking about it more, I think we will see Chuck utilize his wrestling more and ensure he gets the win. I’m going with Chuck by decision.

Mike Ciesnolevicz: I think Liddell still has a chance due to his punching power, but the smart money is on Rich Franklin. He has been more active, and I think age and ring rust will be a factor. I think Franklin should have the cardio edge and I’m sure his timing will be better. I think Liddell proved he is a hall of fame level fighter, but sadly I think his time might be over. He has not looked good in recent fights, and I think Franklin still has it.

Benji Radach: Oh, boy, I enjoy watching both fighters here. I'm going to go with Chuck on this one. Like Mike (Ciesnolevicz) said, Franklin may have an edge at this point, but I think Chuck still has a puncher’s chance and that goes a long ways with Chuck. I'm sure he will make sure he is battle ready for this one.

Javier Vazquez: I’m rooting for the Iceman on this one, but “Ace” will present several problems. Franklin has very good standup and footwork that could cause Liddell some problems and could possibly prevent Liddell from landing big shots. Liddell’s game plan should be to cut the ring off and throw combinations at Franklin. Franklin, on the other hand, had better be on his horse and use his superior footwork to outlast Liddell. I think the Iceman wins a close, competitive decision over Ace.

Rory Markham: I have to go with Rich in this fight. As much as I love everything Chuck puts on the line, I think Rich has really hit his stride working with Matt Hume. This fight will favor the more versatile fighter, which I believe is Rich. Chuck’s still great, though.

Travis Lutter: This is a wildcard fight. Depends on which Chuck shows up. Rich will be tough, but both guys are coming off knockout losses. Don’t know who to bet on!

Roland Sarria: Liddell will circle the cage and control the fight to his pace to set up the knockout combination. Franklin will fight conservative and try to take the fight to the later rounds for a win by a decision. Liddell by a second-round stoppage.

Brian Warren: Franklin by KO in the second round (via) ground-n-pound.

Keith Berry: Well, I hate to say I think Chuck will go down in the first round. Franklin is just more technical all around. Plus age starts to play a role in this fight. As my friend Leon would say, it’s going to be a quick and painful night for Chuck.

Scott Lighty: Chuck Liddell will lose? That’s crazy talk. Liddell will win by TKO in the second round.

Dan Hardy: I think Chuck is going to surprise everyone and show some of his new rubber guard skills. Chuck by flying kung fu move to gogoplata (in the) first round. If he actually pulls it off, I’ll change my name to The Oracle.

Robin Black: Franklin is a super tough fight for anyone. He is arguably consistently the best southpaw striker in MMA and he always seems to be at his best. Maybe this sounds nuts, but I have a feeling Chuck will take a decision by combining his counterpunching with some surprising takedowns and G&P. I’m totally not kidding.

Bebeo Duarte: I think Liddell is more complete than "Ace." Better striking and defense of takedowns. The only thing he may have against him is his age. But I think Liddell wins by knockout.

Jorge Masvidal: I think it’s going to be a fast-paced fight. I think Chuck has the power and will do good stopping the takedowns, but Rich is a bit more technical than Chuck. It’s going to be a good fight once they are done feeling each other out. I’m leaning for Chuck to win but would not be surprised if Rich pulled out the decision.

Gustavo Machado: I think that Liddell wins this fight because he is more aggressive and has a better striking game. Rich will not take him down. Liddell wins.

Johnny Eduardo: Liddell is very tough, very dangerous. Franklin is a great strategist. I saw some videos of him, and he looks fine. I think Franklin wins by knockout in the third round.

Ben Saunders: I like both, but Chuck is looking so in shape and prepared. I see him getting the KO.

Ricardo Liborio: Very tough fight. I got to go with Chuck. I heard he is in the best shape ever, and especially hungry to fight.

Josh Neer: I think the fight will be on the feet. Chuck’s the better wrestler. Rich has better jiu jitsu, but I don’t think he can take Chuck down. Chuck’s the bigger fighter, but the question for me is his chin. Rich got KOed in his last fight, too. I pick Chuck to keep it on his feet and KO Rich late in the fight or win by decision.

Kit Cope: Since I was right about Suga and Rampage, I suppose I’ll tell you where to place your bets once again. This one may be too simple. Chuck is gonna be Chuck. He cannot deviate from his programming. The problem therein is that Chuckness has been figured out. Don’t let the Lloyd Christmas act fool you; Rich is no dummy. Ace will be light on his feet, kick the legs a bunch and get his Bumble Bee Tuna out of the way. I call it Rich by kinda boring decision.

Erik Paulson: I think that Chuck may be back. He’s angry and ripped -- the old Chuck. I think this fight will end up the same way the Jeremy Horn and Liddell (rematch) went. I think Chuck can knock Rich out. Rich is a tenacious and technical fighter. I think that if the old Chuck is back, he’s fighting with intention once more and hits like a sledgehammer. Either way, a huge bucket of popcorn, a thin crust pepperoni pizza with extra sauce and a diet Mountain Dew (for me). Or a tall Sam Adams and extra crispy hot chicken wings with a huge side of vegetables with ranch dressing. Creating a betting pool with my friends. Gonna find a megaphone to yell as loud as I can.

Roan Carneiro: Liddell wins by knockout. I think the counter-attack will define the fight.

Thales Leites: Franklin will use a game with more strategy, looking for the counter attack and also taking it to the ground, but I do not think that he will take down Liddell. I think Liddell wins by knockout.

Bobby Southworth: This a very tough fight to call. Both guys truly need a win, at least in the eyes of the fans. I truly believe the fight favors Liddell, both stylistically and physically. Franklin can't take Chuck down, so the fight will be fought on the feet. Even if both fighters weren't coming off KO losses, chin and power favor Chuck. Franklin has a looping style and wasn't a KO artist at middleweight. As a counter striker, this lets Liddell hang in the pocket with literally no fear and a consistent chance to come right down the pipe with big bombs. Both men are great individuals and I'm a fan of both. I hate to see either one lose. I call The Iceman by KO/TKO, midway through round two, if not sooner.

Roy Arriola: My take is simple. As much as I love Chuck’s aggressive style, I think Rich is going to overwhelm him. He will frustrate Chuck into chasing him. Rich will KO Chuck with a head kick with 45 seconds left in final round. Chuck’s confidence is a little shaken. I think Rich is the fresher of the two at this point in their careers. Take this fight three years back and Chuck wins by KO. Chuck was so focused on Tito, I think he will be not as focused and (will be) distracted by all the questions about Tito. I think this fight will be cat and mouse, not too exciting, but the end result will be worth watching.

Jason Von Flue: I have tons of respect for Rich after training with him on season two (of “The Ultimate Fighter”). With that being said, I know that he has an insane work ethic and is very calculated in how he approaches a fight. Likewise, adding in his win over Wanderlei Silva, he poses a true threat to Chuck. His likelihood of winning is via decision. On the other hand, I've trained with Chuck for years. I know that a focused Chuck is a knockout machine. If Chuck angles right and doesn't charge in, letting Rich come after him, I can see a second-round KO. It’s hard to be unbiased due to a loyalty to Liddell and the Pit team, but at the same time, I also know the heart and drive Chuck has in him. Liddell by KO.

Cung Le: I like both fighters, but I have to go with Chuck for his punching power.

Gleidson Venga contributed to this story. You can contact Mike Sloan at www.facebook.com/mikesloan19