It appeared as though Rich Franklin was clearly the best Middleweight in the world. He turned away every challenge he had met and was undefeated in the Octagon. He won his last fight with a broken hand he used to pummel his opponent. A six month lay off was required for extensive surgery, training and preperation for the biggest threat his championship reign had seen.
Then along came Anderson Silva. This striking machine came along and plucked the title as if the champion wasn't even there. He has boldly destroyed a UFC icon, and carved out his own spot in the eight sided ring.
Anderson Silva is Unstoppable.
Silva has earned a rep for being one of the top strikers in the world and certainly in his division. In pre match interviews, Franklin sounded prepared and ready for anything Silva could dish out.
Early in the first round, Franklin realized he wasn't quite ready as the slick Brazilian knocked his ass out.
Using a Muai Thai clinch and vicious knees, Silva gave Franklin a new curvy nose and knocked him out cold. It didn't take long to totally shatter the image of a man we thought was unstoppable. The Ace has fallen. All hail the new champ - Anderson Silva.
It'll be interesting to see who the first challenger is to the new champ.
The co-main event was solid as well. Sean Sherk won the vacant light heavyweight title by defeating Kenny Florian by decision.
The judges had the scoring way off as far as I'm concerned. In the first three rounds, KenFlo dictated the pace and action. Sure he didn't dominante from the guard, but he didn't need to. He cut Sherk somethin nasty with an elbow. I'm pretty sure Sherk is STILL bleeding!
KenFlo lost by decision, but I'd LOVE to see him get a rematch. He showed so much heart and surprising strength against the Muscle Shark.
Overall a solid card.
6 comments: on "UFC 64 was Unstoppable"
I'd love to see that rematch... But i don't see it happening for at least a year.
florian disgusted me w/ how many times he held onto the cage w/ his toes to get leverage and flip out of being held onto the floor.
then he grabbed onto the cage w/ his hands and sherk appropriately slammed his as down on the mat.
florian fought like a punk; holding onto that cage.
silva was brutal. not unlike the opening night for the marine!
"you can't see..." no john, hollywood can't see you.
fair comments on Florian
he showed a ton of heart though
i also was taken back by him constantly telling the ref that Sherk couldnt see because of the cut - lookin for a stoppage
I was a bit surprised at how late in the fight the referee started to tell Florian to let go off the fence, as he had been doing it all fight long. Usually they're literally jumping at the fighters to let go, but not this time.
But other than that i agree that KenFlo showed a lot of heart. I thought Sherk would just mow through him, but Kenny actually kept up with him. That man has definetely earned my respect now.
I've been saying it ever since his fight with Lousseau, Rich Franklin isn't the same guy he was before that fight, and last night proved it beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Shamrock was never the same after he shattered his hand, and Franklin busted both of his hands, and a foot in his fight against the Crow.
Franklin now has pins in his hand, and it will take a minimum of a year for his body to be fully recovered from all of the injuries he sustained in that fight, let alone any additional damage he's done in the time since.
By the way
the heavyweight fight was worst case scenario for the UFC...
u know they wanted to see Congo dominate to continue his push - but he lost, and in such a cheezy way that cant even elevate Marrero - the guy who hung on to get the win - technically.
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