UFC 73: Sherk-Franca Preview!

This weekend at UFC 73: Stacked, Sean Sherk will make his first title defense against number one contender Hermes Franca. Who's going to take it, you ask?

Hermes Franca was shunned by many after his three consecutive losses to Yves Edwards, Ray Cooper, and Koutetsu Boku. Many began to think Franca no longer had what it takes to hang with the big boys.

Instead of backing into a corner, Franca stepped it up. Franca started his own MMA team, Team Armory where he trains alongside Kurt Pellegrino, Eduardo Guedes and Raphael Chaves in Jupiter, Florida. Franca then went on a tear as he put out an impressive 8 fight winning streak at a variety of organizations such as the UFC, WEC, TC and the AFC.

Now Sherk on the other hand, has lead a rather successful MMA career, only falling to top names against welterweight favorites Georges St. Pierre and Matt Hughes. Sherk now resides back in the ever-growing lightweight division, where he has yet to lose. Sherk retained the UFC lightweight champion title at UFC 64 against Kenny Florian, where the two swam around a bloodbath to reach the judges' decision.

Franca is a much tougher task for Sherk to conquer. Franca always comes in swinging for the fences and an unlimited arsenal of submissions in his pocket, both driven by his ultra-aggressiveness. Sherk however, has shown much improved striking abilities, quick hands and holds some mind-blowing takedowns and wrestling skills.

With Sherk known for his ineffectiveness off his back and inability to pass guard, Franca will surely look to take advantage and utilize his crafty BJJ skills. As far as on the feet, Sherk is not known for his one punch KOs, while Franca's in your face style has crumbled many opponents on the feet.

I don't really see Sherk able to punish Franca on the feet or too effectively on the ground for that matter. I'm going to have to go with the stream of upsets and lean towards Franca in this one. I see the two fighters trading bombs early, I envision Franca tagging Sherk with one of his ridiculous overhands rights , Sherk scoring some explosive take downs and then a battle on the ground.

Though I'm a big Sherk fan, I'm going to go head and pull a "Randy" and call Franca for the submission victory by triangle choke somewhere in the third round perhaps? I'm always very indecisive and unsure when it comes to predictions, but there you have it, this will most probably change sometime down the week.

Don't blink your eyes folks, this may very well be the fight of the night.

PREDICTION: Hermes Franca over Sean Sherk by submission (triangle choke or armbar), Round 3

The Lianger