[jimmyterrell]

Here is how I see it. Rich Franklin is really the only current champion in the UFC that I could see holding the belt for many years to come. He’s pretty young, he has knockout power and is as well rounded as any fighter in the UFC, let alone the middleweight division. As far as who could possibly take him on, Mike Swick is my choice. If the fight happened this year, or perhaps even next year, it would be a toss up. Both are well rounded, both have knockout power, and both have that same quickness and tenacity that we look for in the middleweight division. Two years from now (If Dana White can wait that long) if we see Swick vs. Franklin for the middleweight title, it could possibly be one of the best fights ever, based solely on how similar the two fighters are. If Rich was to lose the title before then, look for Spider or possible an additional fighter from outside to come in and get the job done. Even then, I see Franklin as the best 185 fighter in the world, he epitomizes what we look for in that weight class.

Mike Swick is becoming my favorite fighter, so I hate to say that he has a shot. I see a lot of people get on here and automatically assume that their favorite fighter is the best there is. No, Frank Shamrock is not going to come into the UFC, for some reason he has something against Dana White, therefore would never do it. Hypothetically speaking, the fight would be great, with Shamrock coming up short. Why do I say this? Think about it. Do you honestly think Franklin, a guy who actually takes pride in every fight, and every victory would not train his ass off for a Frank Shamrock dream match? Do you think for one second that Frank Shamrock would train his heart out for a match that you know he thinks he would dominate? You do the math, I’m taking Franklin.