The Value of Liddell vs Franklin

via mmamayhem.com

On the surface UFC 115's main event looks to be a waste of space and a bad way to introduce the product into a new market. The points raised most in the fact that both have no influence on the current title picture and the only claim to fame is past accomplishments which are in the distant past. 

The true value of this sport is in seeing legends compete. One of these days both fighters will be gone and a chance to see them compete in the sport that they help to build isn't something that should be over looked.

It has been a part of every sport,  A legend who is no longer the athlete he once was steps into the fray and people come just to see said legend preform. Michael Jordan returned to play for the Washington Wizards, but he was no longer the monster that use to rule the NBA with an iron fist. Jordan was still an above average player, but a look at his stats tell the story. In his return with the Wizards his highest point total was 1,640 which is dismal compared to his last season with the Bulls in which he netted 2, 357. There is a difference in games played, but the same amount of minutes. As i am sure there are many other variables such as quality of team, but it still stands that he was not the same.

The Wizards needed something to put asses in the seats and Jordan, dispite slowing down a little in talet could still do that on his name alone. Hockey seen the same occurence when Mario Lemieux returned to spark his team the Pitsberg Penguins. Mario was still brilliant, but age had caught up with him along with his bout with cancer. Lemieux spent much of his time on the sidelines with injury and when he was on the ice he was not the same, still great like Jordan, but just he just fit in with the other good players. All except his name.

Franklin and Liddell hold the same value. Much like Jordan and Lemieux they no longer need to compete in the sport for money. They are there for the love of the sport, and i respect them for that. The value is being able to say you seen the legends in the ring doing what they love. If Lemieux laced them up again tomorrow i would buy a ticket just to see him grace the ice. I know that what i will see is not the magic people in the late 80s early 90s witnessed, but i would still feel as though i was in the presence of greatness.

Its that feeling of being in the presence of a legend and to watch them preform which is the key to Liddell vs Franklin's value. Some day the champions of today such as GSP, Silva, and Lyoto will be in the same shoes as Liddell and Franklin. We will be the fans who knew what they once were and just how amazing they were in their prime. The new fans will scoff at the thought of GSP headlining a PPV while we will sit back remembering the time we seen the same man chew through the welter weight division. Watching a legend preform is a special thing and at UFC 115 we will get to see two lock horns for the first time. I for one watch two men who chose to go out on their shield insted of fade away.