[djimprint]

I've noticed that NO ONE on any forum seems to give Franklin any respect. He's had matches against some very good fighters. David Loiseau wasn't his normal self and gave Franklin too much respect in my opinion, however Franklin dominated him the entire time despite his knockdown.

He dominated Tanner and left him bloody and seriously welted in their last bout.

He destroyed Quarry. Granted Quarry wasn't anywhere near ready for Franklin, but still a tough guy nonetheless.

I think Franklin will hold on to the title for a little while. He will force Swick or Leben into a mistake.

Silva should probably be the next #1 contender. Leben has a puncher's chance for sure but I expect Silva to take him out.

Franklin on his better days has the tools and the skills to keep Silva at bay, and Silva definitely has the ability to defeat Franklin. That one should be a great fight all in all. I don't see either fighter dominating the fight completely.

Franklin is a tough SOB as proved with his last fight with Loiseau. He broke his hand, sprained the other one, Fractured his foot, and sprained his ankle... and still took it to Loiseau. The guy is a conditioning machine too. No one is going to wear him down. I haven't seen Silva in many fights, and the ones I have, have been rather quick. I don't know his conditioning. Franklin I think would have an advantage in the later rounds.

Unless someone really steps up in the months to come, I don't see Franklin dropping the strap for a while... Unless the injuries sustained in the Loiseau fight nag him to the point of him needing a very extended time off.