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[Cat--Smasher]

EXCLUSIVE | Rich Franklin Talks: Loss Lit A Fire Under Him, Looking For Summer Return | UFC NEWS MMA News | Mixed Martial Arts | UFC News | BJPenn | MMA Fight | UFC Fights

“I haven’t decided how long of a break I am going to take”, Franklin said. “I hate training in the winter, so I figure summer sometime”.

Rich is one of those fighters who appears to use a loss to motivate himself. After his loss to Lyoto Machida Franklin went on an 8 fight win streak. Unsure of what’s next in the Octagon he did give his thoughts on the effect of a loss.

“It varies from fight to fight. I think a loss always lights a fire in me”, Rich stated. “I seem to do well after my losses”

In the meantime, Franklin has other things to keep him busy.

“I have always been passionate about nutrition, so I am currently looking at a Juice business concept”, Franklin said. “I still have my dealings with American Fighter, and there is always the entertainment side of things. These aspects of “business” will employ me when I am finished fighting, so I have to make sure I continue laying the ground work”.

In addition to fighting Rich has also appeared in films starring opposite Tiffani Amber Thiessen and Bruce Greenwood as antagonist in the movie Cyborg Soldier.

“Right now, I don’t have any active acting roles”, Franklin said. “I spent the last year basically training at home, in Singapore, fighting in Brazil as well as China. I haven’t really had the time for much more than fighting”.

Franklin has been inside the Octagon twice with current UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva and doesn’t see the champ losing his title anytime soon.

“I honestly believe Anderson will retire before anyone has the chance to take his crown. I would love to see the superfight with GSP”, Rich stated.

Having been in the fight game since before the UFC was “cool”, Franklin offered his advice for young fighters to make it in the business side of mixed martial arts today.

“I would say you need an agent before you sign any binding contract for an extended period of time”, Franklin said. “A fighter is not educated in the matters of legal documents. It is very complicated, and worth the money you pay to make sure someone is looking out for your best interest. Sometimes it takes winning a risky fight to be noticed. If you want to be great, you have to beat great people. That doesn’t happen playing it safe. A fighter needs to make sure they are taking a calculated risk”.

About his future Rich put it simply.

“After a little down time…a solid performance later this year!!!

[sonofsteven]

I love Rich but if getting KTFO buy Belfort didnt light much of a fire then I dont expect much more now. Ill be rooting for him though.

[johnny Boom]

I really wish there are more fighters like him. There's just so many damn prima donnas out there now that seem to have an excuse for everything or whine and bitch if something doesn't go their way. It'll be a sad day when he retires.

[H0SS]

Originally Posted by sonofsteven

I love Rich but if getting KTFO buy Belfort didnt light much of a fire then I dont expect much more now. Ill be rooting for him though.

He came back and knocked Chuck out cold with a broken arm and five seconds left in the first round. I'd say he was pretty motivated...

[joeodd2]

Gotta respect Guys like Rich, nothing special talent wise. But he works hard and can beat almost anybody on any given night. A constimant gentleman and good ambassador for MMA.

[VimyRidge]

Originally Posted by H0SS

He came back and knocked Chuck out cold with a broken arm and five seconds left in the first round. I'd say he was pretty motivated...

He beat a Chuck that should have retired 3 years ago.
Prime Chuck would have destroyed prime Franklin

Prime Franklin would have beat prime Cung Le


I really like Franklin, but well past his prime. Should really retire before he does permanent brain damage.

[TheDoucheyWun]

Originally Posted by VimyRidge

Prime Franklin would have beat prime Cung Le


I really like Franklin, but well past his prime. Should really retire before he does permanent brain damage.

I have to hate on thees'e 2 comments and use my 2000th post to do so.

Quote one I disagree with because a prime Franklin was the kingpin of a very shallow MW division with no one in it as well rounded as him, I do not recall rich ever winning a fight with his grappling ability and I believe a prime Cung would have humiliated Rich worse then the over the hill version did. For the record I didn't give Cung a chance in hell in his recent outing with Franklin.

Quote 2. How do you figure?? when is the last time he has fought a sub par opponent? and I don't see him going to sleep while being sneezed on like Chuck and similar fighters who have been hit one to many times..Rich has a good couple few vanity fights left in him and a job with the UFC when he does decide to hang em up. When Uncle Dana think's it time then it's time, I have heard nothing from Dana suggesting Rich is done and I have yet to see anything in Rich's fighting ability or chin that would make me think he's done.

I guess Bisbing and Reem should retire too? They have both been KTFO more than once and have to be close to Franklins age.

[H0SS]

Originally Posted by VimyRidge

He beat a Chuck that should have retired 3 years ago.
Prime Chuck would have destroyed prime Franklin

Prime Franklin would have beat prime Cung Le


I really like Franklin, but well past his prime. Should really retire before he does permanent brain damage.

I don't disagree with the fact that Chuck should have retired sooner. But any guy that can have his arm broken and continue fighting (and winning), shouldn't be accused of "not having much of a fire"...

[VimyRidge]

Originally Posted by H0SS

I don't disagree with the fact that Chuck should have retired sooner. But any guy that can have his arm broken and continue fighting (and winning), shouldn't be accused of "not having much of a fire"...

Sorry, didn't mean to diminish this, it was an incredible come back.

The man has heart and "fire" but just don't think it is healthy for him to take too many more shots. Instead of going back to teaching high school math, he will have to get a job teaching grade 1 math.

[H0SS]

Originally Posted by VimyRidge

Sorry, didn't mean to diminish this, it was an incredible come back.

The man has heart and "fire" but just don't think it is healthy for him to take too many more shots. Instead of going back to teaching high school math, he will have to get a job teaching grade 1 math.

You're so polite. I fucking love it.