UFC 103 is, by the standards of UFC pay-per-view shows, not a particularly good card. There isn't a title fight or a clash of legends. But there are five good fights on the card, and for the first time ever, the pay-per-view show is preceded by a couple of free fights on Spike. So UFC 103 is still a worthy way to spend your Saturday night, and we've got a full preview and predictions below.
What: UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort
When: The undercard starts at 7 PM ET Saturday, Spike TV will show an hour of fights beginning at 9 and the pay-per-view begins at 10.
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas
How: You can buy it for $44.95 on UFC.com or from your cable or satellite provider ($54.95 in HD), or you can just follow along with our live coverage here at FanHouse.
Predictions on the five pay-per-view fights: Rich Franklin vs. Vitor Belfort I've long maintained that people don't give Franklin enough credit for just how great a fighter he's been over his decade-long career. He has a record of 25-4, and the losses are to three all-time greats: Anderson Silva (twice), Lyoto Machida and this year's split decision to Dan Henderson. And yet I think Franklin is about to suffer his fifth loss. Belfort's hand speed and punching power will overwhelm Franklin in a fight that I don't see going to the ground. Pick: Belfort.
Junior dos Santos vs. Mirko Cro Cop This is the fight I'm most looking forward to on the card, a classic heavyweight clash of a young buck taking on an MMA legend. But while dos Santos has the advantage of youth, I think his greater advantage is size: He's significantly bigger and stronger than Cro Cop, who I believe should be fighting at light heavyweight. I look for dos Santos to land some powerful punches and then finish Cro Cop on the ground. Pick: dos Santos.
Martin Kampmann vs. Paul Daley This card lost what would have been a great fight when Mike Swick had to pull out of his bout with Kampmann. Daley is a decent fighter on his feet, but Kampmann is much more well-rounded and shouldn't have too much trouble finishing Daley. Pick: Kampmann.
Josh Koscheck vs. Frank Trigg Trigg is an entertaining, intelligent fighter whose return to the UFC is good to see, but I just don't think he's at a level anymore, at age 37, where he can beat a Top 10 welterweight. I look for Koscheck to dominate Trigg in all phases of the fight. Pick: Koscheck.
Tyson Griffin vs. Hermes Franca I think Griffin and Franca are going to go at it at a furious pace and deliver a Fight of the Night-type of showing, with Franca taking the fight to the ground and edging out a close decision. Pick: Franca.
We'll have full UFC 103 coverage on Saturday night, and you can follow all the action by following my UFC Twitter updates.
Franca over Griffin on the ground? How the hell is Franca going to get Griffin on the ground? Way off on that one, bro. Should be a good fight, though.
Rich Franklin is a decent fighter who always tries hard but he keeps coming up short against world class fighters for a reason: he is significantly slower to react to a rapid puncher. Belfort is a speed demon who will have little trouble connecting with a barrage of head shots. I like Franklin but he may consider acting as his primary career.
I fought Rich Franklin 9 yrs ago. Rich has the ability to read his oppponents thats what makes him so tough to beat. Vitor sometimes let's the moment overwhelm him. I dont see this as one of thoes moments. I see Vitor coming out very strong and will dominate.
Rich Franklin is an underestimated fighter who possesses all-around skills and several title defenses, but he's going up against a fighter who won both the UFC heavyweight and the light-heavyweight titles. Belfort is fighting at what is probably his lightest fight weight in several years, something that can only augment his speed and agility (if he's in shape, of course). Now, this is not to say that Franklin has no chance of beating Belfort; Franklin has good stand-up and decent hands -- but, one slip-up and it could be a bad night for him. On a level playing field, Belfort should be expected to win, by unanimous decision if it goes to one, or by referee stoppage.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-18-2009 @ 1:25PM
Ccbaby said...
I just don't see Hermes beating griffin
I see griffin winning by
A great entertainning fight
Reply
9-18-2009 @ 1:27PM
Awesome said...
Awesome
9-18-2009 @ 2:10PM
skeen267 said...
Franca over Griffin on the ground? How the hell is Franca going to get Griffin on the ground? Way off on that one, bro. Should be a good fight, though.
Reply
9-18-2009 @ 2:46PM
Awesome said...
Awesome
Reply
9-18-2009 @ 2:57PM
totalstranga said...
Franklin> Vitor
CC> JDS
Kampmann>Daley
Kos>Trigg
Griffin>Franca in a snoozefest ala Sherk/Franca
Reply
9-18-2009 @ 3:15PM
JohnnyCakes said...
Have you ever seen tyson griffin or hermes franca fight?? they are far from boring. You must not understand MMA
9-18-2009 @ 3:31PM
richardbikle said...
i think we're going to see Vitor jump into the big picture after this fight; vitor by first round ko.
Reply
9-18-2009 @ 4:41PM
Awesome said...
Awesome
9-18-2009 @ 7:28PM
martinasiner said...
Rich Franklin is a decent fighter who always tries hard but he keeps coming up short against world class fighters for a reason: he is significantly slower to react to a rapid puncher. Belfort is a speed demon who will have little trouble connecting with a barrage of head shots. I like Franklin but he may consider acting as his primary career.
Reply
9-19-2009 @ 12:33AM
Jeff said...
What is really surprising is the amount they gouge you for the pay per view.
Put it at $25 and get 4 times he business.
Reply
9-19-2009 @ 1:17AM
james said...
My penor
Reply
9-19-2009 @ 10:55AM
papam11 said...
$50 for this lineup? You're kidding, right?
Reply
9-19-2009 @ 1:46PM
Karl Czyz said...
This is one PPV I will end up getting online.
Reply
9-20-2009 @ 4:33PM
Gary Myers said...
I fought Rich Franklin 9 yrs ago. Rich has the ability to read his oppponents thats what makes him so tough to beat. Vitor sometimes let's the moment overwhelm him. I dont see this as one of thoes moments. I see Vitor coming out very strong and will dominate.
Reply
9-19-2009 @ 7:05PM
Eric said...
Rich Franklin is an underestimated fighter who possesses all-around skills and several title defenses, but he's going up against a fighter who won both the UFC heavyweight and the light-heavyweight titles.
Belfort is fighting at what is probably his lightest fight weight in several years, something that can only augment his speed and agility (if he's in shape, of course).
Now, this is not to say that Franklin has no chance of beating Belfort; Franklin has good stand-up and decent hands -- but, one slip-up and it could be a bad night for him.
On a level playing field, Belfort should be expected to win, by unanimous decision if it goes to one, or by referee stoppage.
Reply