UFC 93 Breakdown: The Main Card

Dan Henderson vs. Rich Franklin

Dan “Hollywood” Henderson Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 6’1/205 lbs.
Age: 38
Hometown: Downey, Calif.
Fighting out of: Temecula, Calif.
Record: 23-7

The stakes: It’s hard to say what exactly is up for grabs when you never know what weight Henderson will fight at next. I could wake up tomorrow, hear he’s cutting down to featherweight and not even blink at hearing the news.

Either way, he could use an entertaining scrap on his UFC resume after a dreadful decision over Rousimar Palhares in a fight that Pfizer purchased the rights to as part of its ongoing sleep disorder research program. I kid you much.

The breakdown: Henderson’s success in this bout hinges on his ability to do something that has often frustrated me in the past, and that is swinging for the fences. While Henderson’s often-haphazard slugging has cost him before, Franklin doesn’t have the chin to survive the exchanges and the ground is a place where Franklin’s underrated submission skills could come into play.

For once, swinging like a madman and ignoring years’ worth of wrestling acumen is actually the smart play. At least the sport is never predictable.

Rich “Ace” Franklin Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 6’1/205 lbs.
Age: 34
Hometown: Cincinnati
Fighting out of: Cincinnati
Record: 24-3 (1NC)

The stakes: After a dominant return to the light heavyweight ranks at the expense of Matt Hamill’s ribcage, Rich Franklin no longer has to worry about “winning” the Anderson Silva sweepstakes again and now looks to have a real shot at making a name for himself in his new home.

Taking out one of the division’s most storied fighters would make for a good follow-up, and Franklin needs as many big wins as he can get considering the image of him laid out on the canvas twice over by Silva is a tough one to forget. If Franklin can keep the good times going at Henderson’s expense, he may actually reinvent himself and escape the specter of Silva in one shot.

The breakdown: Above all, Franklin has to avoid getting into any wild throwdowns with Henderson, as he would quickly find himself laid out. That isn’t to say Franklin should be looking for takedowns either. Instead, the focus should be on Franklin constantly moving and making life difficult for his opponent.

If Franklin can keep up that approach and avoid Henderson’s overhand hammer, his versatile striking style is tailor-made to give Henderson fits from the opening bell.

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The bottom line: While a coaching spot opposite Michael Bisping for the next season of “The Ultimate Fighter” is up for grabs, what’s really at stake could be another chance at the UFC middleweight title. You’d expect both men to come out with a solid plan given the stakes, but it’ll be Franklin who does his homework and notches a workmanlike decision win.

Don’t be surprised if Henderson has his moments courtesy of that brick he calls a right hand, but Franklin is the more composed of the two and it will show as he controls the bulk of the fight and exposes the holes in Henderson’s often sloppy striking style. Can’t wait to sit through a season of Franklin’s super-exciting TV personality!