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[Submission Fighter]

who do you'll think will be the next middleweight champion? I dont think Leben has the tools to beat Rich, he's just too quick and powerfull. I only see 2 people who can possibally beat Ace. I think Swick might be able to beat Ace, Swick is quick, has knockout power and is good on the ground. Anderson Silva is the other guy who I think can beat Ace, we'll see how good Silva is in the UFC when he takes on Leben. I think Penn can beat Ace if he goes up a weightclass and Forest can beat Ace if he drops down.

[Matt Boone]

Anderson Silva, Nathan Marquardt, Mike Swick, Dean Lister, Chris Leben, Trevor Prangley, and if UFC gets crazy and throws hella loot out there again maybe Frank Shamrock. That's a big maybe though. If he takes on all those challengers, you gotta think one of them will get it done. Anderson Silva and Dean Lister have the best chances, as Anderson can end it quickly with a knockout, and Dean can end it quickly with a submission. They're among the best, especially at 185 in the UFC, at what they do. I don't see Swick or Leben being on Franklin's level, and Marquardt hasn't looked as good in UFC as I expected him to so I don't want to jump the gun saying I think he'd be a good fight for Franklin (even though, well..I do think he would be). Prangley is a bit of a question mark still, he's shown glimpses of being a really bad ass 185'er but seems to fall short a lot.

[Afro]

Frank Shamrock would dominate the Middleweight division if he came back to the UFC

[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.

[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.

[jimmyterrell]

Um, I gave Franklin a lot of respect. "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." is about as much respect as I can give any fighter.

[Matt Boone]

I've always given Franklin as much respect as I give any top fighter. He's among the best in the sport today in any weight class. He's in my P4P top 10 everytime we do the list. He's the man.

And as far as Frank Shamrock beating Rich Franklin, no I don't think so. Frank in his prime had trouble with Ortiz before he got as good as he became. Franklin is much bigger than Frank, even though they both fight at 185, and is way too well rounded for Frank to try and deal with after his long lay off, and even longer time since he's fought anyone credible. Cesar Gracie and Bryan Pardoe don't prove much. Frank in his day was the man, but was so Ken and Royce and all these other guys who are being battered by today's generation.

[Afro]

Frank is still young though, I think after a few fights in the UFC if he faces Franklin he has a great shot at beating him I wont say that he will becuase Rich is awesome, but I think he can and I would like to see him do so.

[GracieAlumni]

If I had to make one prediction for a NEXT middleweight champ in the UFC I would ahve to pick Mike Swick... Hes got a good game all the way around... I think he might be able to do whatever it takes to win..

[jimmyterrell]

Obviously I agree, but do you think he could do it today? I tend to think he's a couple years off.