UFC 147 – Rich Franklin survives a second round scare to pick up a unanimous decision win over Wanderlei Silva
Former UFC middleweight champion, Rich Franklin survived a major scare in the second round of his UFC 147 clash with Wanderlei Silva tonight in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, to walk away with a unanimous decision win after five hard-fought rounds inside the octagon.
Cautious start from both men. Big right hand from Silva lands. Nice left hand from Franklin as he starts to find his range. Franklin goes to the inside leg before landing a right hand upstairs. Silva looks for the high kick but Franklin catches it. Franklin lands a left hand which drops Silva to a knee for a second. Franklin is landing again and again early on in this fight. Left kick to the body from Franklin lands. Big head kick from Silva lands, answered by a stiff jab from Franklin. Another head kick thrown from Silva. Franklin with a head kick this time as he walks Silva down. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Franklin.
Cautious start again as Franklin walks Silva down. Silva with a counter head kick. Silva kicks the knee of Franklin and appears to have hurt himself. Body kick from Silva lands. Franklin with a big right hand stumbles Silva a little before following up with a body shot. Franklin goes again to the body as he starts to string together his combinations. Silva with a right hand over the top. Silva catches Franklin with another right hand but he seems to take it well. Nice combination from Silva as he pushes forward. Big knee from Silva as he starts to turn things up. Silva drops Franklin with a big combination and looks to pour it on. Silva can’t finish as Franklin looks for a takedown. Silva shakes him off and pounds away to the final bell. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Silva.
Head kick from Franklin is blocked. Franklin goes to the body with a left hook. Franklin is doing a good job of keeping Silva at bay and landing from a distance. Head kick from Franklin lands but Silva takes it well. Silva has slowed and isn’t looking as aggressive in this third round. Nice combination from Silva but he doesn’t follow up. Franklin with a takedown and moves to half-guard. Elbows land from Franklin as he pins an arm. Franklin mounts for a second before posturing up and throwing down. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Franklin.
Franklin with a left hook to begin the fourth. Nice right hand by Silva as Franklin moves in. Franklin goes to the body before repeatedly pumping his jab. Nice right hook from Franklin lands. Body shot again lands from Franklin. Silva appears to have burned himself out in the second round. Low blow lands from Silva. We’re back after a minute or so. Nice uppercut from Franklin in close. Silva with a left hook as he looks to get his offense going again. Silva misses with a wild flurry to end the round. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Franklin.
Big hug to begin the final round. Franklin jabs his way in but Silva counters with a head kick. Nice lfet hand from Franklin. Silva catches Franklin with a left hook. Franklin is utilising great footwork in this fight as he continues to pepper Silva from the outside. Silva pushes forward. Silva gestures to the crowd before leaping in with a minute to go. Franklin attempts to move away but Silva is walking him down. Silva’s punches are coming slower but the two engage in a wild brawl in the final seconds. Franklin drops Silva with the final punch of the fight. MMABay scores the round 10-9 Franklin.
The judges scored the bout 49-46, 49-46, 49-46 in favour of Franklin.
By Michael Pepper. (Follow me on Twitter)
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