MMA fans are in for a real treat for UFC 88: Breakthrough, as Dan Henderson, Rich Franklin, and Karo Parisyan join the line-up.

Henderson, a Greco Roman wrestling expert, is looking to bounce back after a failed title shot against Anderson Silva.  He is up for a huge opportunity to make his way back to contention.  He faces Rousimar Palhares in Atlanta.  A win would put him right back into the title mix at 185 pounds.  It will also be interesting how his style would fare against the not to be dismissed Palhares, who debuted at UFC 84: Ill Will, and trains with the Brazilian Top Team.

On the other hand, Franklin, coming from a failed rematch against Anderson Silva, is currently the number one contender in the middleweight division.  Now in order to fight Matt Hamill, he agreed to step up to 205 pounds, despite spending the last three years at middleweight, even winning the title at one point, before losing it to Silva.  hile 205 is said to be Franklin's more ‘natural' weight, Hamill is also looking to follow on a huge victory he had over Tim Boetsch.

Also coming in from a stunning loss is the third name in the draw, Karo Parisyan.  He is looking to bounce back from the very first knock-out of his career, as he takes on Japanese Yoshiyuki Yoshida. Nicknamed “The Heat,” as early as now, the anticipated fight is being called “the greatest clash of judo black belts ever seen in The Octagon.”


-Glenn L. Diaz, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Setanta Sports
(Image Courtesy of Setanta Sports)