Post by The Sandmen on Jan 28, 2013 18:04:20 GMT -5
Very curious about this one. A strong, but relatively unspectacular Franklin vs. a once-great-now-sucks rookie powerhouse. Here we go.
Franklin enters the cage and this place seems about to burst! He may be sure the fans are with him today.
Rich Franklin raises his fists in his corner. He seems confident.
Robbie Lawler is calm in his corner. He looks convinced of his abilities.
This is the first time they meet inside the cage
Rich Franklin is the better fighter in my opinion. It would be an upset if he loses today.
The referee of the bout is Mario Yamasaki.
=========================================
Round 1
=========================================
Franklin and Lawler move forward as the bell signals the beginning of the fight!
Rich Franklin swings...
hard impact to Lawler's face!
Lawler's Right eye is bruised after the punishement he's received!
Low kick by Robbie Lawler to maintain his distance.
Bad move. That was far from landing.
Some counter punches against Rich Franklin
land while he's on his bicycle.
Franklin's Right eye is bruised after the punishement he's received!
Franklin has a high cardio that helps him make great performances.
These two fighters are showing each other a ton of respect.
The clock says 1:00 in the 1 round
High kick from Rich Franklin!
Lawler seems to be done!
Several good body shots
are evaded by Franklin.
Poorly executed technique. Rich Franklin looks to counter!
Rich Franklin attempts a sweep single...
Rich Franklin catches Robbie Lawler's far ankle and trips him to the mat! Slick takedown by Franklin.
Rich Franklin is in closed guard over Lawler
Robbie Lawler seems fresh. He may still have a lot of gas in his tank.
Robbie Lawler launches a few punches to Franklin's cheek from the guard.
Those punches sure are annoying because Franklin tries to cover his face,
Rich Franklin is in closed guard over Lawler
Rich Franklin tries to open Lawler's guard...
Great bombs from the top by Rich Franklin. Lawler is unable to cover himself now!
Rich Franklin is in closed guard over Lawler
Rich Franklin throws down elbows...
He's tearing up Lawler's face with those brutal elbows! Lawler needs to do something! The referee is threatening to stop it!
Rich Franklin is in closed guard over Lawler
Franklin use some of his wrestling skills to escape from the closed guard!
After a few tentative moves, he jumps to side mount! The crowd in Nationwide Arena (Columbus, OH) is cheering him!
The clock says 2:00 in the 1 round
Rich Franklin is in side mount over Robbie Lawler
Robbie Lawler doesn't want to continue the fight in this position and tries to get back on his feet
He moves fast and now he is standing
Mario Yamasaki halts the fight to stand up Robbie Lawler. The fight resumes with both fighters standing.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Nationwide Arena (Columbus, OH) are cheering for the fighters.
The clock says 2:10 in the 1 round
Lawler steps backwards away from Rich Franklin. He seems to be cooling down the fight a bit.
Franklin launches a furious low kick!
Lawler receives a hard blow on his right leg!
Franklin begins to launch a barrage of punches over Lawler
this is getting worse and worse for Lawler
Lawler's Mouth is bruised after the punishement he's received!
Lawler has a small cut in his Mouth
Some nice shots from Robbie Lawler
that stun Franklin.
Rich Franklin tries to take the fight to the ground with a one leg takedown...
Lawler is unable to remain on his feet and falls to the ground
Rich Franklin is in open guard over Lawler
Lawler tries to close his guard around Franklin
He succeeds!
Rich Franklin is in closed guard over Lawler
Franklin is looking to end this fight with strikes
Lawler anticipates his moves and avoids danger.
Rich Franklin is in half guard over Lawler
Robbie Lawler attempts to move to full guard
Robbie Lawler manages to switch to full guard.
The clock says 3:45 in the 1 round
Rich Franklin is in open guard over Lawler
Deep breaths from Robbie Lawler who tries a hammer punch to Franklin's ribs.
Franklin blocks those punches
Franklin tries to get some advantage after his opponent miss move...
Franklin fires a barrage of punches at Lawler's head!
This is bad! Franklin is just pounding on Robbie Lawler's head like he's a training dummy! The referee looks on anxiously!
The clock says 3:55 in the 1 round
Rich Franklin is in open guard over Lawler
Lawler tries to close his guard around Franklin
He succeeds!
Rich Franklin is in closed guard over Lawler
Lawler is moving on the ground...
Franklin tries to counter Lawler's moves on the ground.
Rich Franklin is in closed guard over Lawler
Lawler measures the resilience of Franklin's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Franklin blocks the hits as he works on the ground.
Lawler misses a step and Rich Franklin sees an opportunity to counter him!
Rich Franklin fakes some punches
then lands a big punch to Lawler's face!
Rich Franklin is in closed guard over Lawler
Franklin use some of his wrestling skills to escape from the closed guard!
After a few tentative moves, he jumps to side mount! The crowd in Nationwide Arena (Columbus, OH) is cheering him!
Rich Franklin is in side mount over Robbie Lawler
Lawler tries to stand up!
Franklin doesn't allow him!
Rich Franklin is in side mount over Robbie Lawler
Rich Franklin looks to pass to mount...
Franklin slides his knee across and achieves the mount position! Tough spot for Robbie Lawler.
Rich Franklin is in full mount over Robbie Lawler
Franklin goes for an armbar!
Robbie Lawler breaks the lock and pushes away Rich Franklin, who rolls over his back and gets to standing position.
Mario Yamasaki halts the fight to stand up Rich Franklin. The fight resumes with both fighters standing.
Both fighters continue the fight on their feet. You can hear how the people agree with that decision.
The ref stops the action. The round is over.
I would be surprised if the judges didn't see that round for Franklin.
=========================================
Round 2
=========================================
Lawler cornermen are yelling for his man to escape from the ground as Franklin can finish a fight on the ground with some good pounding if you give him the chance.
The two exchange wildly
both landing but without much steam behind the shots.
Franklin's arm is getting wrenched, it appears to be injured
Shovel hook by Rich Franklin
tags Lawler.
Lawler has a small cut in his Chin
The clock says 0:35 in the 2 round
Robbie Lawler tries to show his boxing skills with a one-two combo
Rich Franklin's knows what to do here and blocks them
Lawler clumsily fails here and it's time for Rich Franklin to fight back!
A right hand from Rich Franklin
surprises Lawler!
Lawler decides to launch some tentative punches
Nothing from this exchange. Lawler moves back and takes a deep breath.
Solid kick to the leg from Rich Franklin
that visibly pains Lawler.
Lawler hyper-extended his left leg
The clock says 1:10 in the 2 round
A punch from Robbie Lawler
gets blocked by Franklin.
Robbie Lawler attempts to cut off Franklin with punches
Franklin avoids getting cornered.
Poorly executed technique. Rich Franklin looks to counter!
Tremendous strikes from Franklin!
Some big punches are landing!
Lawler's Chin is bruised after the punishement he's received!
Robbie Lawler leans forwards and tries to grapple with Franklin
Lawler shows his clinching skills. Both fighters are clinching now.
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Lawler tries to breaks Rich Franklin's resistence with a few punches while tries to push him against oner corner.
Lawler doesn't find the right way... He have to improve his position for causing any real damage
The clock says 1:50 in the 2 round
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Robbie Lawler launches a few punches towards Franklin's ribs while holds him in a double overhooks!
Franklin seems unaffected... those punches doesn't carry any power!
Franklin tries to get some advantage after his opponent miss move...
Franklin tries to take Robbie Lawler down... Lawler stumbles backwards and Rich Franklin launches a few punches...
One swing hits hard Lawler's jaw!
Rich Franklin tries to shrug his way out of the clinch.
Franklin circles out and slips free of Robbie Lawler's grip. Nice job of getting out of that position.
Rich Franklin is opening up on Lawler and raining down combinations!
Lawler's corner looks worried!
Lawler moves to shoot
but Rich Franklin delivers a knee that wrecks him!
A wicked punch by Rich Franklin
rocks Lawler!
Lawler's Forehead is beginning to swell
Franklin is swinging for the fences!
A hit that almost breaks Lawler's jaw!
Robbie Lawler tries a nice one-two combination
that gets blocked.
Quick hook by Rich Franklin
Good shot! Lawler has reasons to be worried.
Rich Franklin is slowing the pace of the fight a bit and circles around his opponent.
Rich Franklin is doing his best Floyd Mayweather impression by not engaging.
Brutal-looking high kick from Rich Franklin!
You could hear the impact from the back seats!
Lawler's Chin is beginning to swell
Franklin launches a furious hook!
That hits Lawler's chin like a wrecking ball! Lawler loses balance and goes to the mat.
Mario Yamasaki is asking Lawler to defend himself! Mario Yamasaki jumps in between the fighters and stops the punishment for Lawler.
Lawler's Chin is beginning to swell
Winner is Rich Franklin by TKO (Punch) at 3:36 Round 2
Statistics: Rich Franklin
Punches 23/26 (88%)
Kicks 5/5 (100%)
Clinch strikes 1/3 (33%)
Takedowns 2/2 (100%)
GnP strikes 14/22 (64%)
Submissions 1/1 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 161 s
Statistics: Robbie Lawler
Punches 8/24 (33%)
Kicks 0/1 (0%)
Clinch strikes 0/7 (0%)
Takedowns 0/0 (0%)
GnP strikes 2/6 (33%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 1/1 (100%)
Time on the ground 161 s
And the always great-never-special veteran wins er. Just shows the lingering gap between the good and the elite.
Franklin enters the cage and this place seems about to burst! He may be sure the fans are with him today.
Rich Franklin raises his fists in his corner. He seems confident.
Robbie Lawler is calm in his corner. He looks convinced of his abilities.
This is the first time they meet inside the cage
Rich Franklin is the better fighter in my opinion. It would be an upset if he loses today.
The referee of the bout is Mario Yamasaki.
=========================================
Round 1
=========================================
Franklin and Lawler move forward as the bell signals the beginning of the fight!
Rich Franklin swings...
hard impact to Lawler's face!
Lawler's Right eye is bruised after the punishement he's received!
Low kick by Robbie Lawler to maintain his distance.
Bad move. That was far from landing.
Some counter punches against Rich Franklin
land while he's on his bicycle.
Franklin's Right eye is bruised after the punishement he's received!
Franklin has a high cardio that helps him make great performances.
These two fighters are showing each other a ton of respect.
The clock says 1:00 in the 1 round
High kick from Rich Franklin!
Lawler seems to be done!
Several good body shots
are evaded by Franklin.
Poorly executed technique. Rich Franklin looks to counter!
Rich Franklin attempts a sweep single...
Rich Franklin catches Robbie Lawler's far ankle and trips him to the mat! Slick takedown by Franklin.
Rich Franklin is in closed guard over Lawler
Robbie Lawler seems fresh. He may still have a lot of gas in his tank.
Robbie Lawler launches a few punches to Franklin's cheek from the guard.
Those punches sure are annoying because Franklin tries to cover his face,
Rich Franklin is in closed guard over Lawler
Rich Franklin tries to open Lawler's guard...
Great bombs from the top by Rich Franklin. Lawler is unable to cover himself now!
Rich Franklin is in closed guard over Lawler
Rich Franklin throws down elbows...
He's tearing up Lawler's face with those brutal elbows! Lawler needs to do something! The referee is threatening to stop it!
Rich Franklin is in closed guard over Lawler
Franklin use some of his wrestling skills to escape from the closed guard!
After a few tentative moves, he jumps to side mount! The crowd in Nationwide Arena (Columbus, OH) is cheering him!
The clock says 2:00 in the 1 round
Rich Franklin is in side mount over Robbie Lawler
Robbie Lawler doesn't want to continue the fight in this position and tries to get back on his feet
He moves fast and now he is standing
Mario Yamasaki halts the fight to stand up Robbie Lawler. The fight resumes with both fighters standing.
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Nationwide Arena (Columbus, OH) are cheering for the fighters.
The clock says 2:10 in the 1 round
Lawler steps backwards away from Rich Franklin. He seems to be cooling down the fight a bit.
Franklin launches a furious low kick!
Lawler receives a hard blow on his right leg!
Franklin begins to launch a barrage of punches over Lawler
this is getting worse and worse for Lawler
Lawler's Mouth is bruised after the punishement he's received!
Lawler has a small cut in his Mouth
Some nice shots from Robbie Lawler
that stun Franklin.
Rich Franklin tries to take the fight to the ground with a one leg takedown...
Lawler is unable to remain on his feet and falls to the ground
Rich Franklin is in open guard over Lawler
Lawler tries to close his guard around Franklin
He succeeds!
Rich Franklin is in closed guard over Lawler
Franklin is looking to end this fight with strikes
Lawler anticipates his moves and avoids danger.
Rich Franklin is in half guard over Lawler
Robbie Lawler attempts to move to full guard
Robbie Lawler manages to switch to full guard.
The clock says 3:45 in the 1 round
Rich Franklin is in open guard over Lawler
Deep breaths from Robbie Lawler who tries a hammer punch to Franklin's ribs.
Franklin blocks those punches
Franklin tries to get some advantage after his opponent miss move...
Franklin fires a barrage of punches at Lawler's head!
This is bad! Franklin is just pounding on Robbie Lawler's head like he's a training dummy! The referee looks on anxiously!
The clock says 3:55 in the 1 round
Rich Franklin is in open guard over Lawler
Lawler tries to close his guard around Franklin
He succeeds!
Rich Franklin is in closed guard over Lawler
Lawler is moving on the ground...
Franklin tries to counter Lawler's moves on the ground.
Rich Franklin is in closed guard over Lawler
Lawler measures the resilience of Franklin's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Franklin blocks the hits as he works on the ground.
Lawler misses a step and Rich Franklin sees an opportunity to counter him!
Rich Franklin fakes some punches
then lands a big punch to Lawler's face!
Rich Franklin is in closed guard over Lawler
Franklin use some of his wrestling skills to escape from the closed guard!
After a few tentative moves, he jumps to side mount! The crowd in Nationwide Arena (Columbus, OH) is cheering him!
Rich Franklin is in side mount over Robbie Lawler
Lawler tries to stand up!
Franklin doesn't allow him!
Rich Franklin is in side mount over Robbie Lawler
Rich Franklin looks to pass to mount...
Franklin slides his knee across and achieves the mount position! Tough spot for Robbie Lawler.
Rich Franklin is in full mount over Robbie Lawler
Franklin goes for an armbar!
Robbie Lawler breaks the lock and pushes away Rich Franklin, who rolls over his back and gets to standing position.
Mario Yamasaki halts the fight to stand up Rich Franklin. The fight resumes with both fighters standing.
Both fighters continue the fight on their feet. You can hear how the people agree with that decision.
The ref stops the action. The round is over.
I would be surprised if the judges didn't see that round for Franklin.
=========================================
Round 2
=========================================
Lawler cornermen are yelling for his man to escape from the ground as Franklin can finish a fight on the ground with some good pounding if you give him the chance.
The two exchange wildly
both landing but without much steam behind the shots.
Franklin's arm is getting wrenched, it appears to be injured
Shovel hook by Rich Franklin
tags Lawler.
Lawler has a small cut in his Chin
The clock says 0:35 in the 2 round
Robbie Lawler tries to show his boxing skills with a one-two combo
Rich Franklin's knows what to do here and blocks them
Lawler clumsily fails here and it's time for Rich Franklin to fight back!
A right hand from Rich Franklin
surprises Lawler!
Lawler decides to launch some tentative punches
Nothing from this exchange. Lawler moves back and takes a deep breath.
Solid kick to the leg from Rich Franklin
that visibly pains Lawler.
Lawler hyper-extended his left leg
The clock says 1:10 in the 2 round
A punch from Robbie Lawler
gets blocked by Franklin.
Robbie Lawler attempts to cut off Franklin with punches
Franklin avoids getting cornered.
Poorly executed technique. Rich Franklin looks to counter!
Tremendous strikes from Franklin!
Some big punches are landing!
Lawler's Chin is bruised after the punishement he's received!
Robbie Lawler leans forwards and tries to grapple with Franklin
Lawler shows his clinching skills. Both fighters are clinching now.
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Lawler tries to breaks Rich Franklin's resistence with a few punches while tries to push him against oner corner.
Lawler doesn't find the right way... He have to improve his position for causing any real damage
The clock says 1:50 in the 2 round
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Robbie Lawler launches a few punches towards Franklin's ribs while holds him in a double overhooks!
Franklin seems unaffected... those punches doesn't carry any power!
Franklin tries to get some advantage after his opponent miss move...
Franklin tries to take Robbie Lawler down... Lawler stumbles backwards and Rich Franklin launches a few punches...
One swing hits hard Lawler's jaw!
Rich Franklin tries to shrug his way out of the clinch.
Franklin circles out and slips free of Robbie Lawler's grip. Nice job of getting out of that position.
Rich Franklin is opening up on Lawler and raining down combinations!
Lawler's corner looks worried!
Lawler moves to shoot
but Rich Franklin delivers a knee that wrecks him!
A wicked punch by Rich Franklin
rocks Lawler!
Lawler's Forehead is beginning to swell
Franklin is swinging for the fences!
A hit that almost breaks Lawler's jaw!
Robbie Lawler tries a nice one-two combination
that gets blocked.
Quick hook by Rich Franklin
Good shot! Lawler has reasons to be worried.
Rich Franklin is slowing the pace of the fight a bit and circles around his opponent.
Rich Franklin is doing his best Floyd Mayweather impression by not engaging.
Brutal-looking high kick from Rich Franklin!
You could hear the impact from the back seats!
Lawler's Chin is beginning to swell
Franklin launches a furious hook!
That hits Lawler's chin like a wrecking ball! Lawler loses balance and goes to the mat.
Mario Yamasaki is asking Lawler to defend himself! Mario Yamasaki jumps in between the fighters and stops the punishment for Lawler.
Lawler's Chin is beginning to swell
Winner is Rich Franklin by TKO (Punch) at 3:36 Round 2
Statistics: Rich Franklin
Punches 23/26 (88%)
Kicks 5/5 (100%)
Clinch strikes 1/3 (33%)
Takedowns 2/2 (100%)
GnP strikes 14/22 (64%)
Submissions 1/1 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 161 s
Statistics: Robbie Lawler
Punches 8/24 (33%)
Kicks 0/1 (0%)
Clinch strikes 0/7 (0%)
Takedowns 0/0 (0%)
GnP strikes 2/6 (33%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 1/1 (100%)
Time on the ground 161 s
And the always great-never-special veteran wins er. Just shows the lingering gap between the good and the elite.