Franklin vs Silva: Who can come back?

For former MMA world champions Rich Franklin and Wanderlei Silva a historic meeting in Germany represents a pivotal career crossroads.

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Aptly set to take place somewhere between middle and light-heavyweight, the main event of "UFC 99: THE COMEBACK" features one man [Franklin] in the process of stepping up from 185lbs to carve out a route to the 205lb crown, against a former 205-pounder [Silva] who believes his future rests at the lower weight.

Twice humbled at the knees of current middleweight champion Anderson Silva, franklin ko silva road back to the title he once held looks to have been blocked indefinitely. To put it simply, the light-heavyweight crown is his only option. Bulking up to 205lbs Franklin signalled his return to the division against the ever improving up-and-comer Matt Hamill before being narrowly squeezed out of the middleweight title ranks by a fellow division-switcher Dan Henderson in Dublin.

Meanwhile, Wanderlei Silva (once the most feared fighter on earth) has been finding life back in The ufc 99 results rather more difficult than his days in Pride. The days of spectacular unrivalled dominance that became the hallmarks of his PrideFC tenure appear to be well behind the Chute boxe legend. The inhuman maulings sustained in establishing that formidable reputation appear to have finally taken a significant toll on the 32-year-old's punch resistance.

Without the benefit of foot stomps, with a cage to be pushed and controlled against and no corners into which to trap his prey, the Axe Murderer suddenly looks to be a significantly diminished and fading force. For the man who once agreed to fight an Iron-chinned super-heavyweight on just two days’ notice, size and strength disadvantages at LHW have finally prompted a move down. Any future title shot…it seems…rests only at middleweight. ufc results

For Maths-teacher-turned-relentless-scrapper Franklin, the road ahead is even less clear. Adrift of title contention at LHW and ufc 99 live stream in danger of becoming a far too effective gatekeeper at middle, options both commercial and competitive are fast running out. If Silva leaves Germany as the decisive victor, it could spell the end of Franklin’s title relevance at either weight. While if Franklin can topple Silva, the beloved ‘Axe Murderer’ will be facing the same retirement pleas presently being levelled at fellow legend Chuck Liddell.

ufc 99 has been aptly labelled The Comeback. But for the man who loses in Cologne, it could represent the MMA equivalent of a Viking funeral. For two imminently popular veterans of the sport, defeat could herald the sad and sorry end to a long and hard competitive road.

For the decisive winner it’s an opportunity for reinvention. For Franklin (already once bested by current LHW king Machida), it’ll be a chance to get right back in the mix. Beyond immediate challengers Rua and the Jackson/Evans winner, the field is wide open. Franklin’s championship credentials, proven marketability and rematch narrative could well put him on a fast track towards Machida, if he can get past the axe-man in Cologne.

Meanwhile victory for Wanderlei will put namesake Anderson Silva firmly in the Axe Murderer’s crosshairs. In what is perhaps an acknowledgement of the threat posed by such a prospect, the middleweight champion has taken the usual move of training Franklin for the ufc 99 showdown with his Brazilian namesake. Perhaps Anderson is hoping that Franklin can topple Wanderlei for him, allowing the ruling 185lbs champion to focus on clearing a path through the 205lbs ranks?
Anderson Silva’s premature departure from Wanderlei’s beloved Chute Boxe camp years ago appears to have sown a long gestating seed of mutual resentment. That rivalry is sure to flourish should the Axe Murderer triumph dramatically in Cologne. A pick-em showdown then, between two beloved fan favourites, with defeat unthinkable for both but inevitable for one...