Rich Franklin

The Patience Franklin Equation

Beth — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:23:11 +0000

Great message, thank you. My mother passed this week and this message has perfect timing. Rich has always been my favorite fighter not only because of his skill set, but more importantly because of what he represents. Your camp, like myself, should be proud of Rich. Thank You - Adam Lassiter

PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE

Beth — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 04:44:51 +0000

As a child, my mother constantly told me, “Patience is a virtue.” To me, that meant this was going to be a long shopping trip…after all, what is a virtue I asked myself? As an adult, comprehension of the statement is clearly different than application.

Carlos Hathcock, a legendary Marine Corps Sniper with 93 confirmed kills, served several tours in Vietnam. He once crawled 1500 yards, nearly a mile, over a three day span one inch at a time without sleep. The climax of this volunteer mission came down to a single shot that killed a Vietnamese general.

After the second round of my fight with Okami, I returned to my corner and informed my coaches I planned on taking the fight to the ground. Although I was winning the fight on my feet, Okami’s elusive style was frustrating, and I saw no end before allowing it to go to the judges’ decision.

My coaches instructed me to follow the game plan and to remainpatient. I agreed…verbally! After avoiding the clinch during rounds one and two, I casually, and more importantly, lazily engaged the clinch in the third. Like a dam leaking water, I found myself plugging one hole only to find another in an attempt to stop the leak. Avoiding all major catastrophes and winning the decision, my lesson had been learned.

He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War.

Whether you are driving behind the Sunday driver in the fast lane on the highway, or waiting in the checkout line of the grocery store when a dozen price checks are needed…remember if that is the worst thing that happens to you in a day, to count your blessings. After all…patience is a virtue.

IF I COULD MAKE A CHANGE

Beth — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 03:55:24 +0000

Anytime you lose a fight, you wish you could have done things differently. My loss to Lyoto Machida early in my career showed a sign of arrogance on my side. I did not have the proper time to prepare for that fight. I didn’t think it would matter though.

At the time I was undefeated and the thought of losing was not part of my thought process. Since the fight took place in 2003, Lyoto was relatively unknown back then, and we did not do adequate research on him. I was devastated because that was my first loss, but looking back at the fight, I deserved to lose.

Adventures in Miami Florida

Beth — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 03:30:58 +0000

Check out the photo group http://www.richfranklin.com/photo.php?album=65

and video here: http://www.richfranklin.com/_vid/

Gigantic SALE!

Beth — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 01:04:41 +0000

http://www.americanfighter.com/store/category/website-specials/138.oa Many items under $10!!

True Devotion

Beth — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 21:23:22 +0000

I love reading these Hit+Run letters. They inspire not only as an athlete training in MMA and boxing, but as a student as well at NAU. You are without a doubt my favorite fighter in the UFC and in MMA. Your amazing and true devotion to God and Jesus also inspires me to standout among my peers and some of more irreputable people that can be involved in this sport. Your work ethic inspires me and I hope to emmulate it and inspire the people around me. I enjoy all of your fights and I look forward to seeing you in the octagon again. God bless you and your family and keep running this race with all your might.

Your fan,

Henry Ebarb

Don’t Stop Witnessing

Beth — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:41:07 +0000

Rich,

Thank you for your witness. Don’t ever stop witnessing for the LORD. You are a mighty Man of God, divinely placed in the MMA arena for such a time as this. The only GOD some people may encounter is the witness of people such as yourself and this may turn more lives than you could ever be aware. You have blessed my life with your testimony many times. Just think how many more lives are out there that may only be reached by these expressions so keep on fighting the Good Fight of Faith. You are greatly appreciated.

IN HIM,

Jeff Caldwell

Way to go

Beth — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 03:45:12 +0000

Rich,

Well put. God has a place (omnipresence allows for that) everywhere. I personally like it when I see a fighter give God credit for ability and relative safety regardless of who had their hand raised at the end of the fight. The world of MMA is exploding in popularity and provides a de facto platform for sharing faith. Way to go.

God bless,

david deibel

Fun competition

Beth — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:34:40 +0000

I can completely agree with thanking God that no one was seriously hurt.

I am Christian, and I train to fight. However, I don’t believe God wants us to beat each other up. If you have the attitude of it being fun and competition, rather than wanting to hurt another person, then it’s okay.

Only God can judge. Pray that you know what you should do and where you stand before him.

Giving credit to God

Beth — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:24:57 +0000

Good morning Rich, I appreciated your thoughts on God in MMA. The fact is that God is everywhere and He wants to be a part of our life in all aspects. So in short God does belong in MMA. However having said that, I believe that what might be hard from some Christian’s and non-Christian’s alike to understand is when a person who enters the cage to fight displays a less than Christian-like character during his performance. It is sometimes difficult for me to watch a fighter taunt, belittle, and try to intimidate their opponent with various body gestures and then after their fight give credit to God.

Now I realize that for the most part Christian’s can be hard on each other, sometimes more so than non-Christians and far be it for me to claim that I am perfect, because I am not. I am a sinner. However the realization is that fighters are in the public
eye and a persons actions within the cage can cause a person to wonder whether or not they really are a follower of Christ when they continue to show disrespect for their opponent.

Rich, I would say that you are by far my favorite fighter and there are a few reasons for that. Everytime I have seen you during a fight, or in any MMA related documentary or news article you continue to remain solid in your Christian foundation. I have never heard you say anything disrespectful to anyone. You always consistently respectful to everyone. I am sure that is why you are such a great embassador for the sport and one of the many reason why the UFC has you represent the sport so much. While its easy for most fighters to give in to their temptation to disrespect another fighter, before, during and sometimes after a fight claiming that they were in the “moment” of a heated battle you have never accepted such an excuse.

Whether or not your fights or hit and run articles have effected anyone else I will never know. But what I can say is that your consistency with keeping your faith has had an huge effect on my life. Being a new Christian, having never really been in a Church prior to last year, I have at times struggled with my life and how much I have been consumed with anxiety and depression. Sometimes finding it hard to even get out of bed. Always constantly feeling like I am alone.

It might sound weird, or whatever but your constant reminder to never accept defeat has in some of my darkest moments been the only friend I had.

Thank you very much for continuing to be you and for believing in Christ so much that you want to share your belief with others.

Regards,
Jamie Teeple