Wanderlei vs Rich

This weekend is one of the most interesting bouts in recent memory in terms of matchmaking. I don't think two many people after each of these fighters last fights thought of this match up as the next fight for either guy. Wanderlei has only one once in his last five fights and this is first fight at a weight lower than 205 in forever. Franklin is .500 over his last four fights, although his two losses were to Anderson Silva and Dan Henderson which is nothing to sneeze at. Franklin is on his way up to 205 because there is nothing left for him at 185, having been beaten soundly by the cream of the crop there.

I really want to pick Wanderlei in this fight but I am not sure if I can. Wanderlei is only 32 I think, but he is way older than that in terms of fight age. Franklin is actually two years older than Wanderlei, but to me it seems like he should be much younger. Wanderlei's first mma fight was four years before Franklin's first fight. This fight is a huge clash of styles which makes it very difficult to pick a winner. Obviously, if it's a toe-to-toe battle then you have to like Wanderlei. Franklin likes to pick his shots a bit more and if he is patient, he should be able to control the fight. Franklin is suspect to the clinch, but Wanderlei's clinch isn't anywhere near what Anderson Silva's is. Both guys have chins that have been questioned recently and it could indeed be the first solid shot wins the fight. Silva has recently had trouble with counter fighters and that is exactly what Franklin is. For that reason, I think I have to give a slight edge to Franklin in this fight, although I want Silva to win.