The First Real Threat To Franklins Title Is......
 

I think that the guy who will be making a serious run at Franklin will be the guy who submitted Alessio Sakara at UFC 60 this past weekend. Dean Lister. Lister made short work of a fighter who the UFC was building up to be one of the next big challengers to the Iceman's title. Lister barely even broke a sweat in submitting Sakara. It was reported that Franklin was watching the Lister vs Sakara fight very closely. This seems to indicate that Franklin will be facing some fierce opposition soon like he has yet to see in the UFC as champion. The UFC also does not waste any time in puting together a fight that will generate alot of interest and a Lister vs Franklin fight will definatley get the blood pumping in alot of UFC fans. If Lister gets a shot a Franklin, he will most definatley take him to the ground and Franklins ground skills are not even close to Sakaras. Look what happen to him.

Lister needs at least one more win in front of the UFC audience to familiarize himself with that crowd, and he needs a win at 185 lbs. in UFC before challenging for the 185 lb. title. But I too agree that with Lister and Anderson Silva now in the MW division, Franklin no longer has a risk-free run as champion anymore. He's got some real competition now.

I think Mike Swick stands a gr8 chance with Franklin... Both are natural Strikers... I think the ground game is advantage to Swick... No telling when the UFC will give him a chance.

Sooner Than You Think
 

I would be surprised if Franklin does not fight one of these up and coming guys at UFC 61 or UFC 62.

I wouldn't, isn't he out until at least after UFC 62 with the injuries?

what do you guys think about Sean Sherk fighting either Sam Stout or Kenfol at UFC62 for the LW title?

As I said before...

I have to disagree. Franklin isn't stupid, he knows how to strategize for a fight. If Franklin does not come out swinging on Lister (Who, as everyone forgets to mention, looked like crap while standing) then yes, he may get in trouble. It looks like if Lister goes to the ground with just about anyone he is bound to create a new submission and name it after the fighter he taps out with it. Franklin knows this, and is getting his gloves ready for their short, but sweet introduction to the "Boogeyman"'s face.

That is, if he doesn't want me to throw a brick at my TV.

I don't want to take anything away from Lister's impressive performance, but Franklin is going to keep it standing as long as he wants. As far as Anderson Silva goes, I think he has a good shot at giving Franklin a run for his money, but my pick for the next xhamp is Mike Swick in a year or 2.

of all the solid fighters in the mw division right now, marquart would give franklin his biggest test. he has a complete game and IMO is stronger then franklin and should be able to control the fight on the ground. nate has good striking with a very good ground game. IMO him and franklin are very similar. if franklin was ready i think him and marquart would headline 62 but i wouldnt be suprised to see marquart vs lister or A.silva if he beats leben at 62 with the winner getting franklin and the fighter who didnt get the fight fighting swick. personally i would like to see lister vs marquardt and the winner of A.silva vs leben vs swick. in the latter fight either matchup is great and overall the mw division is stacked right now.

I'd rather see Horn vs Lister II 1st. Then if Lister gets past Horn give him to Franklin when Franklin gets back from injury. This division is indeed stacked. I love the addition of Anderson Silva. Silva is a threat anywhere he goes.

good call, i forgot about horn when i made my post but him vs lister would be a great fight. throw that in there to and there are endless options for the mw division.