*UFC147: Franklin vs. Silva Could be a Sleeper Hit

(photo courtesy of mmamania.com)

UFC 147 seems to have been preordained as a failure by some, with an injury-plagued card wreaking havoc on several of the intended matchups. It’s that lowered expectation that could see the thrown-together main event rematch of Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva and Rich “Ace” Franklin steal the show.

At first glance, it would seem that the stakes for either fighter couldn’t be much lower, as neither Silva nor Franklin find themselves in serious contention for a title shot in their respective divisions. Even if they were, the 190-pound catchweight format would not serve to advance them in those rankings. What makes this fight most intriguing is the setting. The intended main event of Silva vs. Vitor Belfort would have been a rematch of two hometown babyfaces, creating a potential love-in for local Brazilian fans. Franklin presents a bad guy for people to root against, especially since he edged out Silva in a hard fought decision after their first fight back in 2009. 

(photo courtesy of i4unews.com)

Rich Franklin has made a habit of taking fights on short notice, which could be dangerous for either fighter. On one hand, Franklin has not enjoyed the luxury of a full camp training for Silva. He had originally been preparing to fight Cung Le at UFC 148. On the other hand, Silva has also been preparing for a different fighter, and the short-term adjustment in training styles could easily see him get caught by surprise. 

One thing is for certain; never count Rich Franklin out. He may be coming off of a tough loss to Forest Griffin way back in February of 2011, but the former math teacher is a grizzled veteran, and always has a few tricks up his sleeve.

(photo courtesy of prommanow.com)

Silva is going to have the spirit of his entire home nation behind him, making him an even more dangerous fighter than he already is. He may not be getting the chance to avenge his 1998 loss to the Brazilian living legend Belfort, but he will still have that fire of redemption burning against Franklin. Silva fell victim to Franklin’s footwork and striking in their first matchup at UFC 99, but the long layoff for Franklin could have a negative effect on his timing. If “Ace” spends a round trying to get his rhythm back, Silva’s still-potent knockout power could very well find it’s way to Franklin’s suspect chin (four out of Franklin’s six career losses have come via KO or TKO).

(photo courtesy of mmamania.com)

What fans can be certain of is that this fight will be a war, as both men are more than happy to stand up and bang. However, if Silva does damage early, look for Franklin to shoot for a takedown; his 10 career submission wins would indicate that he's the more comfortable of the two on the ground. 

(photo courtesy of girlsandgaming.com)

The atmosphere in the building will be electric, and even though there’s no title or contendership on the line, both men certainly have a lot to prove. Franklin wants to prove that the first fight was not a fluke, Silva wants to prove that it was, and both want to show the MMA world that they’ve still got the goods to put on marketable fights beyond just their name value. 

Bob Sapp is Gambling With his Brain

(photo courtesy of cagetoday.com)

MMA legend Bob Sapp just doesn't know when to tap out. Well, with 8 losses in his last 9 fights, 6 of which via submission, maybe he does. The problem is that with every new fight he takes, the more damage his brain takes. To say Sapp is past his prime is an understatement. His resolve in holding onto in-ring glory is an ominous illustration of the dangerous culture of pro fighting. More is learned about CTE every day, and it's hard to believe that a guy who fights as frequently as Sapp, at his advanced age, hasn't developed the degenerative brain disease (he's got 3 fights scheduled in a 3 week span, a daunting task even for prime-aged fighters). Maybe it's money, maybe it's pride, either way Sapp may become a sad example of the dangers of hanging on.

 

UNC More Than One Man: We Aren't Marshall

(photo courtesy of uptownsoldier.com)

 The status of UNC point guard Kendall Marshall is haunting the dreams of Tar Heels supporters leading up to Friday’s Sweet Sixteen matchup with Ohio. Marshall underwent surgery yesterday to repair a broken wrist that will likely keep him on the shelf. The injury has many ready to burn their brackets as UNC was a popular choice to go deep. Marshall has played in integral role in UNC’s success this tear, setting an ACC record for assists. The team has relied heavily on his distribution, with injuries dogging them all season. 

(photo courtesy of bleacherreport.com)

This may not be the apocalypse some gloom-mongers expect though. This type of adversity has galvanized this team all year, and they still boast impact players like Harrison Barnes. Don’t be surprised if we see a rematch of the ACC semis against rival NC State in the elite 8.

Cowboy Kyle Orton is a Good Fit

(Photo courtesy of mysanantonio.com)

Kyle Orton is not Jon Kitna, and while that’s enough for many Cowboys fans, this is not an insignificant move. Tony Romo puts up some of the best regular season stats in the NFL, but he’s also had his share of injury trouble. Romo’s absence from the lineup has had a severe effect on the Cowboys’ record in recent years. With the departure of Laurent Robinson and Martellus Bennett, the Cowboys need some responsible ball management should Romo be out. Orton’s career passer rating of 79.4 (only two points better than Kitna’s) doesn’t exactly scream “responsibility”, but Orton is younger, and still has the goods to start on some NFL teams. Free agency still leaves alot to be determined, but as of right now “America’s Team” has shored up a position that’s been dogging them for a long time.

Cage Fighting: Not as Safe as it Sounds

(Photo courtesy of thebiglead.com)

                                                                       

The UFC became a giant by convincing gaming commissions like Ontario’s that MMA is the safest combat sport in the world. Safer than boxing, maybe, but it's a cultural issue that may be doing their athletes the most damage. With Chris Leben opening up about his battle with addiction, and Gary Goodridge’s CTE diagnosis, we’re seeing a dark element to MMA that is seldom discussed. Fighters are under constant pressure to perform; their livelihoods depend on it, especially considering the modest purses, and limited sponsorship opportunities. When your job entails fighting a trained violence machine for peanuts, it becomes easy to feel the heat. Pop that pill; take the next fight. Ignore the headaches; take the next fight. MMA is safe enough to get sanctioned, but in a world of broken hearts, dreams, and bones, no one is truly safe. 

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