Official: Rich Franklin vs. Cung Le at UFC 148, Guida vs. Maynard at UFC on FX 4
Posted on March 18, 2012, 07:26 PM by Anton GurevichTwo big fights were officially announced today by the Ultimate Fighting Championship; 185 clash between Rich Franklin at UFC 148 (July 7th), and 155 bout between Clay Guida and Gray Maynard at UFC on FX 4 (June 22nd).
Franklin vs. Le: Rich Franklin is currently 28-6 in his Mixed Martial Arts career, looking to prove he's still one of the top 185'ers on the planet. Franklin will be returning from a serious shoulder injury that forced "Ace" into a year-long layoff. As for Cung Le, thirty-nine year old former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion gets another chance in the UFC, despite losing to Wanderlei Silva via TKO back at UFC 139.
Guida vs. Maynard: UFC on FX 4 Lightweight encounter between Clay Guida and Gray Maynard will be extremely important for both fighters, who are coming off title race-eliminating losses in their most recent bouts. Clay Guida lost a decision to the reigning champion Ben Henderson, while Gray Maynard was pushed back in the queue for a shot at the title after getting TKO'd by who was then the UFC's 155 champ - Frankie Edgar. The showdown between Guida and Maynard could easily become a Fight of the Year candidate, especially when there's so much on the line.
Next UFC event will take place on April 14th at the Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. UFC on Fuel TV 2 will be headlined by the Light Heavyweight scrap between Alexander Gustafsson and Thiago Silva.
Comments
Yes, yes, yes, yes...Ace baby!!!
Chael Sonnen beats Anderson in the Summer. Rich wins a #1 contender match after subbing Cung. Rich beats Chael for the UFC MW title then retires!!!!
Haha not sure that's a realistic scenario but definitely glad to see Franklin back in action, certainly not giving Cung Le an easy ride in the UFC, gets knocked out then faces what I would say is a pretty decent step up in competition . Regardless, should make for a great matchup
It's a battle of two of the best broken noses in UFC history.
I'm on a little drug called awesome.
good fight for Le vs Franklin, i like both of them
only bad thing to come from it is someone will have 2 straight loses on their record
poor Cung... another loss for him. Franklin is just to big & strong.
With Franklin's movement and striking, agree he'll over power Cung if he has the right game plan and get a KO/TKO. To this day Anderson Silva said he respects Franklin ,and his fights, more than any other opponent hes faced.
Why Franklin fell prey to that Thai clinch so many times that fight still puzzles me. The knees did the damage. Also Rich hit Silva pretty damn hard a few times.
Cung Le looks to be in much better shape now than he did for the Wanderlei fight. If he comes in shape I think he beats Franklin.
I see Cung stopping Franklins takedowns and outstiking him for 3 rounds. (30-27)
I think Maynard vs Guida will look a lot like Maynard vs Guida. Maynard is gonna stop Guida's takedowns and beat him up standing. I think Guida wins the first round by moving around and landing some shots, but in the 2 and 3 rounds Guida stops moving that much and I see Maynard winning those rounds.
"I think Maynard vs Guida will look a lot like Maynard vs Guida." ?
I mean Maynard vs Jim Miller
I love to see Rich back at MW ! Excellent matchup ! Wandy is my all time favourite fighter and i was so happy to see him win against such a high caliber/name fighter in Cung Le. BUT i unfortunately think that Cung got caught in this fight and that he would win a rematch. So i still consider him a BIG threat in the MW division. Rich is still a powerful and threatening fighter especially at MW with his size. Cannot wait !
For the Guida vs Maynard fight, i also think Maynard will be too much for Guida he will outpower him and prevent him from moving too much and will possibly catch and hurt Guida badly at some point.
I like Cung Le and his style but IMO the sport has changed too much for his style to still work, especially in the UFC with all the great wrestlers they have, plus franklin is a big middleweight
good match up though
very interesting!
think LE had ring rust against SILVA so should be more impressive this time round so its too close to call and MAYNARD should win via UD. think he will rise to top for a title fight again.even tho i was routing for EDGAR in all 3 fights. i still think MAYNARD lost because he never stuck to the game plan. tried to knock EDGAR out instead of using his wrestling to grind out a decision!
I'm rooting for **** Le all the way baby.
I'm rooting for ****t Le all the way baby
Maynard vs Guida, wow my least favorite fighters in UFC history. what a boring joke of a fight this will be, who is going to win the hugging competition? These boring losers should not get paid unless there is a finish.
Can't wait for this one.... *snoring
two old goat going at it. Le belong in 170 div. imo
Well in your view, when you turn 36-37 you'll be an old goat huh? That must suck.
actually cung le is 40 and ace is 38 not super old but way pass their prime in fighting.