Rich Franklin believes he could have been "like Jon Jones."
by Tim Groves on April 06, 2011

“There will be a day when things will be different in MMA. Jones has seen MMA his entire life. The first UFC for me was when I was 17 or 18 years old, so if I were able to train since I was eight instead of 18, what kind of athlete would I be? And the answer is, you’re seeing what I would have been in the form of these new athletes like Jones.” - Rich Franklin

Rich Franklin believes that he could have been like Jon Jones, according to an interview with Tapology.

The former UFC middleweight champion contends that Jones has been able to watch mixed martial arts his entire life, while the UFC didn't even exist until Franklin was 17 or 18.

Franklin is a cruel reminder of how the sport continues to evolve. Once the best middleweight on the planet, Franklin ran headfirst into the knees of Anderson Silva. Since then Franklin has enjoyed moderate success at 185, 195 and 205 pounds. The math teacher from Ohio is seemingly too big for 185 but too small for 205.

How would Franklin have done if he had trained mixed martial arts earlier in his life? Could he have been a bigger threat to Silva? Or is he simply a byproduct of an older generation? Hit the comments to leave your thoughts.

 |  (25) Comments GO HARD: not quite what he said... lol but yeah mma fighters are going to get better and better. anderson is better than rich was. jon jones is better than chuck was. cain is better than arlovski and sylvia were. frankies better than what jens was. fighters are getting better and better... TheNamelessHero: LOL!!! oh Richie!!!! You might have been better but you don't have the athletic gifts or size this kid has. But it's always good to dream big! IwishIwasMMA: Franklin could have been MUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCH better. He is a big MW. If he was striking for 10+ more years, his striking would be more crisp, more dangerous, more technical.. the guy would have been a stand up monster. His BJJ.. he was training around the time when Blue Belts were "big" in bjj.. now we have a black belt around every corner. His wrestling was good, but now we have some of the best wrestlers in the world joining MMA. If he had the chance to train with them for ten more years, he could have been MUCH better.. I agree with him. A lot of fighters would have been a lot better.. Time is a value that is priceless. Wandering_Minstrel: I agree with Rich here. Most of these new fighters are capitalizing on a sport that was founded by guys like Rich Franklin and the other MMA Legends. EverlastingSpringtime: Not sure what he meant there, you still would have had the same body, which has limited potential, jones is an exceptional athlete.... rich was able to reach his peak, and its no excuse for not being able learn now. or in the last few years. Rich you just arnt that good. Sorry lol B_Type13X2: It would be better if Jon Jones attempted to be like Rich Franklin. Sure he isn't as good of a fighter but her was a great champion in how he carried himself. Keith Mondaca: Jones is great for the sport. Not just because he is an amazing fighter, but because he polarizes fans. Always a lot of room for debate when it comes to him, keeps people talking. GO HARD: i was pretty sure he would win... bout 99% .... why ?? because i got an eye for talent i guess. q: / i didnt expect him to stand and own shogun.. but i did expect a dominate performance,
HOW WILL THE THIAGO ALVES VS. MARTIN KAMPMANN FIGHT END AT UFC ON FX 2?
Alves def. Kampmann via TKO/KO
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Kampmann def. Alves via TKO/KO
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