Are todays MMA athletes the punch-drunk fighters of tomorrow?

All it took was one punch. There were few out there, whether fans, critics or media aficionado’s that placed their faith behind Cung Le this past Saturday morning to defeat former UFC titlist Rich Franklin. Seconds into the fight it seemed the former Strikeforce champion looked flat as Franklin began to put his combinations together, hitting the slower Sanshou expert. Right when it looked like it was going to be a long night for the Vietnamese fighter, a perfectly timed right-hook sent Franklin crushing down to the floor. He was unconscious before his head abruptly cracked against the Octagon’s canvas. The Chinese crowd, whom we had barely heard a peep from during the decision-heavy event became unglued. It was a thing of beauty as the aging fighter without a clean bill of health landed the perfect shot that suddenly and violently ended the night for Franklin. I had watched fighting for hours, it was 90 minutes before I had to clock in for my other job and the effects of my energy d...