Franklin's nickname is Ace
Which was given to him due to his resemblance to actor Jim Carrey, who once played the role of Ace Ventura.
Training Camp and Fighting Organization: Franklin trains with Team Extreme and fights for the UFC.
Martial Arts Background: Rich Franklin wanted nothing more than to play college football but wasn't big enough. So, he got back into karate (his father first enrolled him at the age of 12). There he became friends with the instructor's sons, Josh and Shawn Rafferty. The three began training in all types of styles, including Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ). When the schools they were training at shut down, Josh and Rich continued training in a shed in the Rafferty's backyard.
Though he first learned submission fighting from instructional tapes, Franklin now does his BJJ training with long time friend Jorge Gurgel.
Training Camp and Fighting Organization: Franklin trains with Team Extreme and fights for the UFC.
Martial Arts Background: Rich Franklin wanted nothing more than to play college football but wasn't big enough. So, he got back into karate (his father first enrolled him at the age of 12). There he became friends with the instructor's sons, Josh and Shawn Rafferty. The three began training in all types of styles, including Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ). When the schools they were training at shut down, Josh and Rich continued training in a shed in the Rafferty's backyard.
Though he first learned submission fighting from instructional tapes, Franklin now does his BJJ training with long time friend Jorge Gurgel.
Early MMA Career: After Franklin and the Rafferty's watched a local amateur MMA show, they decided to fight themselves. By this time, Franklin had graduated from the University of Cincinnati and had gotten a job as a teacher. He began training MMA at Excalibur fitness with Kerry Schall and others and won his first professional fight against Rob Smith by way of first round TKO. In fact, Franklin rattled off 10 straight fights without a loss (one no contest), defeating Marvin Eastman along the way, before getting his big shot in the UFC.
Rich Franklin vs. Evan Tanner in the UFC: Franklin's first UFC fight came on April 25, 2003 against Evan Tanner. Franklin ran through him easily, winning by way of first round TKO. From there, he went 7-1 in a variety of organizations (UFC included), losing his first bout to Lyoto Machida by way of TKO (head kick and punches). However, after defeating Ken Shamrock on national television, Franklin got another chance against then UFC Middleweight Champion Evan Tanner. This time it took him longer, but eventually he achieved a fourth round TKO over his bloodied adversary, giving him a UFC championship belt for his efforts.
Rich Franklin vs. Evan Tanner in the UFC: Franklin's first UFC fight came on April 25, 2003 against Evan Tanner. Franklin ran through him easily, winning by way of first round TKO. From there, he went 7-1 in a variety of organizations (UFC included), losing his first bout to Lyoto Machida by way of TKO (head kick and punches). However, after defeating Ken Shamrock on national television, Franklin got another chance against then UFC Middleweight Champion Evan Tanner. This time it took him longer, but eventually he achieved a fourth round TKO over his bloodied adversary, giving him a UFC championship belt for his efforts.
The Ultimate Fighter 2: Franklin served as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter 2 against Matt Hughes. He coached season two heavyweight winner Rashad Evans.
Rich Franklin vs. Anderson Silva: Franklin was one of the UFC's biggest stars when Anderson Silva challenged for his championship belt at UFC 64 on October 14, 2006. Unfortunately for the man they call Ace, Silva's Muay Thai clinch proved too much for him. Franklin eventually fell by KO due to a knee. Franklin got another chance at Silva at UFC 77, only to lose against by second round TKO.
Rich Franklin vs. Anderson Silva: Franklin was one of the UFC's biggest stars when Anderson Silva challenged for his championship belt at UFC 64 on October 14, 2006. Unfortunately for the man they call Ace, Silva's Muay Thai clinch proved too much for him. Franklin eventually fell by KO due to a knee. Franklin got another chance at Silva at UFC 77, only to lose against by second round TKO.
Fighting Style: One of Franklin's major strengths as a fighter is his well-roundedness. Franklin is good technically on his feet; he hits hard; and he possesses better than average wrestling and jiu jitsu. What's more, he always comes to fight in outstanding shape. Thus, his fights are usually quite entertaining.
Personal Life: Franklin has a wife named Beth. He is a born-again Christian.
Some of Rich Franklin's Biggest Knockouts
Rich Franklin defeats Nate Quarry by KO at UFC 56: This was Franklin's most brutal knockout. It was one left hand and game over.
Rich Franklin defeats Ken Shamrock by TKO at The Ultimate Fighter Finale: Franklin dominated this fight, winning with some serious ground and pound. Was it an amazing knockout? No. But by defeating an MMA legend, Franklin gained a lot of fans and used the win to propel himself to a title shot.
Rich Franklin defeats Evan Tanner by TKO at UFC 53: In his second fight againt Tanner, Franklin came back from being hurt early on to dominate. By the end of this fight, a very tough Tanner was a bloodied and beaten man.
Rich Franklin defeats Ken Shamrock by TKO at The Ultimate Fighter Finale: Franklin dominated this fight, winning with some serious ground and pound. Was it an amazing knockout? No. But by defeating an MMA legend, Franklin gained a lot of fans and used the win to propel himself to a title shot.
Rich Franklin defeats Evan Tanner by TKO at UFC 53: In his second fight againt Tanner, Franklin came back from being hurt early on to dominate. By the end of this fight, a very tough Tanner was a bloodied and beaten man.
0 comments:
Post a Comment