Post by The Sandmen on Dec 17, 2012 12:12:49 GMT -5
Franklin enters the cage and this place seems about to burst! He may be sure the fans are with him today.
Josh Koscheck glares at his opponent from the opposite corner.
Rich Franklin is calm in his corner. He looks convinced of his abilities.
This is the first time they meet inside the cage
A pretty fair match today. I can't say who will be the one who will be raising his fist after the match.
Josh Koscheck comes with a 2 fight winning streak.
The referee of the bout is John McCarthy.
=========================================
Round 1
=========================================
Koscheck and Franklin move forward as the bell signals the beginning of the fight!
Rich Franklin just won't stop and continues to rain punches
Koscheck quickly defends.
Josh Koscheck leans forwards and tries to grapple with Franklin
Koscheck shows his clinching skills. Both fighters are clinching now.
The clock says 0:35 in the 1 round
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Koscheck launches a few hard punches to Rich Franklin's ribs!
Rich Franklin's ribs shows the damage! Josh Koscheck is working his opponent ribs!
Rich Franklin tries to shrug his way out of the clinch.
Koscheck is determined to work from the clinch. He pummeled through and managed to retain his position.
The fighters are clinching.
Rich Franklin fakes a few punches and advance towards Koscheck trying to take him down with a Advancing Leg Sweep
Koscheck pushes Rich Franklin and circle away keeping himself within striking range
Franklin shows no signs of slowing down. He's in great shape.
Tremendous strikes from Franklin!
Some big punches are landing!
Franklin is holding Josh Koscheck's left leg... He's trying to take him down.
Josh Koscheck shows great balance while pushing away Rich Franklin
Rich Franklin gets sloppy and Josh Koscheck tries to take advantage...
A right hand from Josh Koscheck
surprises Franklin!
Franklin has a small cut in his Left eye
The clock says 1:10 in the 1 round
Josh Koscheck and Franklin engage in a wild exchange of punches!
Both fighters are missing terribly.
Franklin throws a hook
that hits its mark.
Franklin decides to launch some tentative punches
Josh Koscheck takes the best of a brief punching exchange.
Josh Koscheck tries to take the action to his favourite field as he tries to grapple
Great move by Josh Koscheck who pushes his opponent forward with a double underhooks.
Rich Franklin pushes away Koscheck trying to keep the fight at striking range
Koscheck stumbles backwards and Rich Franklin circles to get the center of the cage
Franklin decides to launch some tentative punches
Koscheck launches a couple of jabs that are answered by Franklin with a stiff cross! Solid exchange!
Here comes Rich Franklin with a vicious middle kick!
Josh Koscheck dodges that one moving backwards
Josh Koscheck tries to bring the fight to the ground
Franklin goes down.
Josh Koscheck is in open guard over Franklin
Josh Koscheck tries to pass to half guard...
Rich Franklin can't prevent his opponent from passing. Koscheck looks to work from half guard.
Josh Koscheck is in half guard over Franklin
Rich Franklin attempts to move to full guard
Josh Koscheck keeps good control and remains in half guard.
Josh Koscheck is in half guard over Franklin
Franklin measures the resilience of Koscheck's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Those hits are leaving hitches in Koscheck's side.
Josh Koscheck is in half guard over Franklin
Koscheck sits over his knees and pushes away Franklin's leg!
Josh Koscheck is able to put away his leg and then jumps to side mount.
Josh Koscheck is in side mount over Rich Franklin
Koscheck fires a barrage of punches at Franklin's head!
This is bad! Koscheck is just pounding on Rich Franklin's head like he's a training dummy! The referee looks on anxiously!
Franklin has a small cut in his Left cheek
The clock says 3:20 in the 1 round
Josh Koscheck is in side mount over Rich Franklin
Franklin tries to stand up!
he is now on his feet
Josh Koscheck 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
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Manchester Evening News Arena (Manchester, United Kingdom) are cheering for the fighters.
The clock says 3:30 in the 1 round
A furious flurry of punches from Rich Franklin
just misses Koscheck.
The clock says 3:40 in the 1 round
Josh Koscheck fakes a move and moves laterally.
Koscheck moves forward looking for some action
He surprises Franklin with a double overhooks!
Franklin grabs his opponent by the waist and tries to take the fight to the ground
Koscheck struggles... Rich Franklin is unable to take him down
The clock says 4:00 in the 1 round
A shot seen throughout the arena!
Timely defense by Koscheck.
Rich Franklin tries to bring the fight to the ground
Koscheck won't budge, forcing Franklin to pull guard.
The clock says 4:20 in the 1 round
Josh Koscheck is in closed guard over Franklin
Rich Franklin launches a few punches to Koscheck's cheek from the guard.
Josh Koscheck uses his head to cover the punches and presses his skull forward.
Koscheck tries to get some advantage after his opponent miss move...
Koscheck 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 Manchester Evening News Arena (Manchester, United Kingdom) is cheering him!
Josh Koscheck is in side mount over Rich Franklin
Franklin tries to show some ground skills
Koscheck uses his strength to keep Koscheck at a disadvantage
The clock says 4:35 in the 1 round
Josh Koscheck is in side mount over Rich Franklin
Koscheck launches a barrage of elbows over Franklin's face!
Those elbows may finish the fight soon if Franklin doesn't fight back!
Josh Koscheck is in side mount over Rich Franklin
Good looking punches from Josh Koscheck on the ground
They could take their toll on Franklin.
Josh Koscheck is in side mount over Rich Franklin
Franklin tries to stand up!
Koscheck doesn't allow him!
The referee separates the fighters as the buzzer sounds.
Koscheck is the winner of this round.
The cutman is working on Franklin's face.
=========================================
Round 2
=========================================
Josh Koscheck was tooling Rich Franklin for the whole fight. I don't know if it's because Rich Franklin lack of fighting spirit or just of skill.
An overhand right from Josh Koscheck that looked like it was capable of destroying a brick wall!
Bang! Franklin's stops that one with his face! How is Franklin standing?!
The clock says 0:20 in the 2 round
Franklin fires low kicks
that fail to land.
Josh Koscheck tries to take the action to his favourite field as he tries to grapple
Great move by Josh Koscheck who pushes his opponent forward with a double underhooks.
Rich Franklin pushes away Koscheck trying to keep the fight at striking range
Koscheck doesn't want to break the clinch as he still is grappling with Rich Franklin
The fighters are clinching.
Koscheck gets double underhooks and looks for the takedown...
Koscheck blocks Rich Franklin's knee and hits a perfectly executed knee tap! Nice move.
Josh Koscheck is in closed guard over Franklin
Rich Franklin 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
Back to the beginning! Rich Franklin is standing now.
Franklin is standing while Koscheck is on the ground on his back
Josh Koscheck launches an up-kick intended for Rich Franklin's head...
It lands flush with Rich Franklin's head snapping it backwards due to the impact!
The clock says 1:10 in the 2 round
Franklin is standing while Koscheck is on the ground on his back
Franklin decides to go after his opponent and jumps inside Koscheck's guard.
Koscheck tries to fight back with his feet and Franklin just needs another plan now.
Koscheck tries to get some advantage after his opponent miss move...
Koscheck tries to hit Rich Franklin with a kick to his knee from the ground.
Franklin dodges that
Franklin is standing while Koscheck is on the ground on his back
Koscheck tries to hit Rich Franklin with a kick to his knee from the ground.
Nice kick. Franklin steps backwards trying to find a way to use his advantage now.
Franklin hyper-extended his left leg
The clock says 1:35 in the 2 round
Franklin is standing while Koscheck is on the ground on his back
Franklin cartwheels towards Koscheck!
He lands in side mount over a surprised Josh Koscheck.
Rich Franklin is in side mount over Josh Koscheck
Rich Franklin looks to mount Josh Koscheck...
Josh Koscheck takes advantage of his opponent's over commitment and traps him in full guard.
Rich Franklin is in closed guard over Koscheck
Josh Koscheck 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 Koscheck
Franklin is in closed guard... Koscheck tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! He is now in full mount over Rich Franklin!
Josh Koscheck is in full mount over Rich Franklin
Koscheck positions himself for a round of ground and pound and tries to finish the fight with some precise elbows!
One, two, three! Franklin's being punished here!
The clock says 2:25 in the 2 round
Josh Koscheck is in full mount over Rich Franklin
Josh Koscheck tries to open Franklin's guard...
Great bombs from the top by Josh Koscheck. Franklin is unable to cover himself now!
John McCarthy is asking Franklin to defend himself! John McCarthy jumps in between the fighters and stops the punishment for Franklin.
There is a small laceration on Rich Franklin's Forehead
Winner is Josh Koscheck by TKO (GnP) at 2:34 Round 2
Statistics: Josh Koscheck
Punches 5/9 (56%)
Kicks 0/0 (0%)
Clinch strikes 3/4 (75%)
Takedowns 2/2 (100%)
GnP strikes 19/25 (76%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 1/1 (100%)
Time on the ground 217 s
Statistics: Rich Franklin
Punches 9/22 (41%)
Kicks 0/4 (0%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 0/3 (0%)
GnP strikes 2/5 (40%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 170 s
No one really surprised here. This is where the neglect factor becomes less of a joke and more of an unfortunate reality. If someone upgrades 10 fricken points into their guy, and you do none, you will get dominated, as was the case here. Koscheck is definitely the one to beat in this tournament.
Josh Koscheck glares at his opponent from the opposite corner.
Rich Franklin is calm in his corner. He looks convinced of his abilities.
This is the first time they meet inside the cage
A pretty fair match today. I can't say who will be the one who will be raising his fist after the match.
Josh Koscheck comes with a 2 fight winning streak.
The referee of the bout is John McCarthy.
=========================================
Round 1
=========================================
Koscheck and Franklin move forward as the bell signals the beginning of the fight!
Rich Franklin just won't stop and continues to rain punches
Koscheck quickly defends.
Josh Koscheck leans forwards and tries to grapple with Franklin
Koscheck shows his clinching skills. Both fighters are clinching now.
The clock says 0:35 in the 1 round
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Koscheck launches a few hard punches to Rich Franklin's ribs!
Rich Franklin's ribs shows the damage! Josh Koscheck is working his opponent ribs!
Rich Franklin tries to shrug his way out of the clinch.
Koscheck is determined to work from the clinch. He pummeled through and managed to retain his position.
The fighters are clinching.
Rich Franklin fakes a few punches and advance towards Koscheck trying to take him down with a Advancing Leg Sweep
Koscheck pushes Rich Franklin and circle away keeping himself within striking range
Franklin shows no signs of slowing down. He's in great shape.
Tremendous strikes from Franklin!
Some big punches are landing!
Franklin is holding Josh Koscheck's left leg... He's trying to take him down.
Josh Koscheck shows great balance while pushing away Rich Franklin
Rich Franklin gets sloppy and Josh Koscheck tries to take advantage...
A right hand from Josh Koscheck
surprises Franklin!
Franklin has a small cut in his Left eye
The clock says 1:10 in the 1 round
Josh Koscheck and Franklin engage in a wild exchange of punches!
Both fighters are missing terribly.
Franklin throws a hook
that hits its mark.
Franklin decides to launch some tentative punches
Josh Koscheck takes the best of a brief punching exchange.
Josh Koscheck tries to take the action to his favourite field as he tries to grapple
Great move by Josh Koscheck who pushes his opponent forward with a double underhooks.
Rich Franklin pushes away Koscheck trying to keep the fight at striking range
Koscheck stumbles backwards and Rich Franklin circles to get the center of the cage
Franklin decides to launch some tentative punches
Koscheck launches a couple of jabs that are answered by Franklin with a stiff cross! Solid exchange!
Here comes Rich Franklin with a vicious middle kick!
Josh Koscheck dodges that one moving backwards
Josh Koscheck tries to bring the fight to the ground
Franklin goes down.
Josh Koscheck is in open guard over Franklin
Josh Koscheck tries to pass to half guard...
Rich Franklin can't prevent his opponent from passing. Koscheck looks to work from half guard.
Josh Koscheck is in half guard over Franklin
Rich Franklin attempts to move to full guard
Josh Koscheck keeps good control and remains in half guard.
Josh Koscheck is in half guard over Franklin
Franklin measures the resilience of Koscheck's ribs with a couple of big punches from guard.
Those hits are leaving hitches in Koscheck's side.
Josh Koscheck is in half guard over Franklin
Koscheck sits over his knees and pushes away Franklin's leg!
Josh Koscheck is able to put away his leg and then jumps to side mount.
Josh Koscheck is in side mount over Rich Franklin
Koscheck fires a barrage of punches at Franklin's head!
This is bad! Koscheck is just pounding on Rich Franklin's head like he's a training dummy! The referee looks on anxiously!
Franklin has a small cut in his Left cheek
The clock says 3:20 in the 1 round
Josh Koscheck is in side mount over Rich Franklin
Franklin tries to stand up!
he is now on his feet
Josh Koscheck 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
Both fighters have climbed to their feet and they continue the fight standing. The people who are watching this in Manchester Evening News Arena (Manchester, United Kingdom) are cheering for the fighters.
The clock says 3:30 in the 1 round
A furious flurry of punches from Rich Franklin
just misses Koscheck.
The clock says 3:40 in the 1 round
Josh Koscheck fakes a move and moves laterally.
Koscheck moves forward looking for some action
He surprises Franklin with a double overhooks!
Franklin grabs his opponent by the waist and tries to take the fight to the ground
Koscheck struggles... Rich Franklin is unable to take him down
The clock says 4:00 in the 1 round
A shot seen throughout the arena!
Timely defense by Koscheck.
Rich Franklin tries to bring the fight to the ground
Koscheck won't budge, forcing Franklin to pull guard.
The clock says 4:20 in the 1 round
Josh Koscheck is in closed guard over Franklin
Rich Franklin launches a few punches to Koscheck's cheek from the guard.
Josh Koscheck uses his head to cover the punches and presses his skull forward.
Koscheck tries to get some advantage after his opponent miss move...
Koscheck 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 Manchester Evening News Arena (Manchester, United Kingdom) is cheering him!
Josh Koscheck is in side mount over Rich Franklin
Franklin tries to show some ground skills
Koscheck uses his strength to keep Koscheck at a disadvantage
The clock says 4:35 in the 1 round
Josh Koscheck is in side mount over Rich Franklin
Koscheck launches a barrage of elbows over Franklin's face!
Those elbows may finish the fight soon if Franklin doesn't fight back!
Josh Koscheck is in side mount over Rich Franklin
Good looking punches from Josh Koscheck on the ground
They could take their toll on Franklin.
Josh Koscheck is in side mount over Rich Franklin
Franklin tries to stand up!
Koscheck doesn't allow him!
The referee separates the fighters as the buzzer sounds.
Koscheck is the winner of this round.
The cutman is working on Franklin's face.
=========================================
Round 2
=========================================
Josh Koscheck was tooling Rich Franklin for the whole fight. I don't know if it's because Rich Franklin lack of fighting spirit or just of skill.
An overhand right from Josh Koscheck that looked like it was capable of destroying a brick wall!
Bang! Franklin's stops that one with his face! How is Franklin standing?!
The clock says 0:20 in the 2 round
Franklin fires low kicks
that fail to land.
Josh Koscheck tries to take the action to his favourite field as he tries to grapple
Great move by Josh Koscheck who pushes his opponent forward with a double underhooks.
Rich Franklin pushes away Koscheck trying to keep the fight at striking range
Koscheck doesn't want to break the clinch as he still is grappling with Rich Franklin
The fighters are clinching.
Koscheck gets double underhooks and looks for the takedown...
Koscheck blocks Rich Franklin's knee and hits a perfectly executed knee tap! Nice move.
Josh Koscheck is in closed guard over Franklin
Rich Franklin 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
Back to the beginning! Rich Franklin is standing now.
Franklin is standing while Koscheck is on the ground on his back
Josh Koscheck launches an up-kick intended for Rich Franklin's head...
It lands flush with Rich Franklin's head snapping it backwards due to the impact!
The clock says 1:10 in the 2 round
Franklin is standing while Koscheck is on the ground on his back
Franklin decides to go after his opponent and jumps inside Koscheck's guard.
Koscheck tries to fight back with his feet and Franklin just needs another plan now.
Koscheck tries to get some advantage after his opponent miss move...
Koscheck tries to hit Rich Franklin with a kick to his knee from the ground.
Franklin dodges that
Franklin is standing while Koscheck is on the ground on his back
Koscheck tries to hit Rich Franklin with a kick to his knee from the ground.
Nice kick. Franklin steps backwards trying to find a way to use his advantage now.
Franklin hyper-extended his left leg
The clock says 1:35 in the 2 round
Franklin is standing while Koscheck is on the ground on his back
Franklin cartwheels towards Koscheck!
He lands in side mount over a surprised Josh Koscheck.
Rich Franklin is in side mount over Josh Koscheck
Rich Franklin looks to mount Josh Koscheck...
Josh Koscheck takes advantage of his opponent's over commitment and traps him in full guard.
Rich Franklin is in closed guard over Koscheck
Josh Koscheck 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 Koscheck
Franklin is in closed guard... Koscheck tries to roll on the ground!
Nice reversal! He is now in full mount over Rich Franklin!
Josh Koscheck is in full mount over Rich Franklin
Koscheck positions himself for a round of ground and pound and tries to finish the fight with some precise elbows!
One, two, three! Franklin's being punished here!
The clock says 2:25 in the 2 round
Josh Koscheck is in full mount over Rich Franklin
Josh Koscheck tries to open Franklin's guard...
Great bombs from the top by Josh Koscheck. Franklin is unable to cover himself now!
John McCarthy is asking Franklin to defend himself! John McCarthy jumps in between the fighters and stops the punishment for Franklin.
There is a small laceration on Rich Franklin's Forehead
Winner is Josh Koscheck by TKO (GnP) at 2:34 Round 2
Statistics: Josh Koscheck
Punches 5/9 (56%)
Kicks 0/0 (0%)
Clinch strikes 3/4 (75%)
Takedowns 2/2 (100%)
GnP strikes 19/25 (76%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 1/1 (100%)
Time on the ground 217 s
Statistics: Rich Franklin
Punches 9/22 (41%)
Kicks 0/4 (0%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 0/3 (0%)
GnP strikes 2/5 (40%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 170 s
No one really surprised here. This is where the neglect factor becomes less of a joke and more of an unfortunate reality. If someone upgrades 10 fricken points into their guy, and you do none, you will get dominated, as was the case here. Koscheck is definitely the one to beat in this tournament.
Seems like no one can beat him right now. I'd almost like to see an Anderson/Koscheck now... 
Have 9 points in celebration of this monumental achievement!