Hamill has shown in his fights that he can take a big shot or ten and keep moving forward. He bullied Bisping and Boetsch. The advantage for Franklin is that he usually stuffs take-downs and he has a lot more experience than The Hammer. I think people tend to forget Ace has only lost three times in his whole career.
Looks like there is a very good chance Anderson Silva vs. Yushin Okami will take place at this event as well.
Hammil actually won a lot of the standup against Bisping in their fight, and I think Hammil deserve to win the decision, although it was a close fight and I'm sure being in England didn't help Hammil's chances lol. I do think this is a hard fight for Rich Franklin, Hammil will have more mass than he will as a natural 205er and a thick one at that, and Hammil is a strong wrestler.
UFC 88 is so stacked. With Okami breaking his hand, Anderson Silva vs. Patrick Cote is very likely for 88. Chuck, Hendo, Silva, Franklin..incredible card.
A: nice gif.. that was just sick what he did to the sandman. B: I wonder if some of these big fights will be moved to UFC 90, since it's in Chicago?
Kevin Iole expects Anderson Silva to fight Patrick Cote at UFC 88. After that, Silva should vacate the title and move up permanently. He's got nothing to prove at 185 anymore and the rest of the guys there--Kampmann, Bisping, Okami, Maia, etc.--aren't worth a year of his prime for.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (speeds @ Jul 20 2008, 10:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Kevin Iole expects Anderson Silva to fight Patrick Cote at UFC 88. After that, Silva should vacate the title and move up permanently. He's got nothing to prove at 185 anymore and the rest of the guys there--Kampmann, Bisping, Okami, Maia, etc.--aren't worth a year of his prime for.</div> New rumor has this fight going to UFC 89 as the UFC is in negotiations with SpikeTV to air this UK event for free. Spike wants a title fight and the UFC wants to further push Silva's popularity.
Hendo, Ace, Parisyan Matches Confirmed for 88 <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Three of mixed martial arts’ biggest stars – former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin, former PRIDE two-division champ Dan Henderson, and longtime welterweight contender Karo Parisyan – will be pushed to the limit in bouts just made official for September 6th’s UFC 88 card in Atlanta.</div> Source
a good undercard fight added to UFC 88 <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Kurt Pellegrino vs. Thiago Tavares booked for UFC 88 Lightweights Kurt Pellegrino (15-4 MMA, 3-3 UFC) and Thiago Tavares (13-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) will meet in a preliminary bout at UFC 88, an event that takes place Sept. 6 at Atlanta's Phillips Arena.</div>
Another great fight for UFC 88: Martin Kampmann vs. Nate Marquardt is expected to be announced shortly.
6 September 2008 Phillips Arena Atlanta, Georgia UFC 88: Breakthrough Televised Card 205: Chuck <span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%">The Iceman</span> Liddell vs. <span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%">Sugar</span> Rashad Evans 205: Rich <span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%">Ace</span> Franklin vs. Matt <span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%">The Hammer</span> Hamill 205: Dan <span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%">Hendo</span> Henderson vs. Rousimar <span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%">Toquinho</span> Palhares 170: Karo <span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%">The Heat</span> Parisyan vs. Yoshiyuki <span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%">Zenko</span> Yoshida 185: Martin <span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%">The Hitman</span> Kampmann vs. Nate <span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%">The Great</span> Marquardt May not be Broadcast 170: Roan <span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%">Jucao</span> Carneiro vs. Ryo <span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%">Piranha</span> Chonan 155: Thiago Tavares vs. Kurt <span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%">Batman</span> Pellegrino 205: Tim <span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%">The Barbarian</span> Boetsch vs. James Lee 170: Dong Hyun <span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%">Stun Gun</span> Kim vs. The <span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%">Immortal</span> Matt Brown 205: Jason <span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%">Dooms</span> Day vs. Jason<span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%"> The Punisher</span> Lambert
With only three days or so until the fight card, I am quite excited. Much like speeds I want to see every fight on the card, but I will certainly settle just for watching what they show. I think Nate/Kampmann might be the fight of the night, that is two of the better middleweights that they have. I'm assuming the winner of the Evans/Liddell fight gets a title shot, or atleats should get a title shot. My big question is, lets say that Evans is the winner, then what for Liddell. He's already older, up around 38 or 39, do you think it's too long of a road back from there having lost 3 of his last four fights?
Liddell has already stated he wants to fight 2-4 more years, so even if he loses, I don't see him hanging it up. Any possibility he jumps up to heavyweight?
^ Yes, he's talked about it. Obviously if Randy was the champion that would really encourage Chuck to go up and try for a third win against him, plus that would be big money for both fighters and the UFC.
I'm actually not all that hyped about Liddell vs. Rashad. Chuck is kind of old, I'm more curious as to what Rashad is capable of. I mean the guyh has never lost. But I want to see the other 4 main card fights a lot. I just hate how long the wait has been. I mean there should have been a UFC fight night in between August 9th and September whatever. At least TUF 8 is coming up.
