Rich Franklin open to third fight with Anderson Silva
After a solid run at 205-pounds Rich Franklin has returned to the division where he made a name for himself as a UFC champion, remaining one of the most dominant forces at 185 until running into current title-holder Anderson Silva. Two fights with the Brazilian resulted in a pair of one-sided losses and ultimately Franklin’s decision to give light heavyweight a go. Now that he’s back at middleweight,... [Read More...]
Rich Franklin wants to finish his career in style with a run at UFC gold
For Rich Franklin, figuring out exactly where he fit in the UFC was a difficult prospect. Now, “Ace” is primed and positioned to compete at middleweight with a bout set for later this year against Cung Le. In Le, Franklin will be looking to shake off several months of rust, having not competed since early in 2011 against Forrest Griffin due to a serious shoulder injury. Franklin (28-6) is a former... [Read More...]
Rich Franklin returns at UFC 148 against Cung Le
UFC officials have announced a middleweight battle between Rich Franklin and Cung Le at UFC 148. The event is scheduled for July 7 from Las Vegas and expected to feature bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz clashing with rival Urijah Faber in the main event. The two are currently coaching opposite one another on the Ultimate Fighter 15. Franklin has been out of action since early in 2011 when he was... [Read More...]
Rich Franklin feels rift developing with UFC
Ask most fans to name five of the most recognized fighters in UFC history and chances are Rich Franklin’s name will come up on more than one list. An eight year veteran of the organization, Franklin has delivered a number of memorable performances inside the Octagon including a reign as 185-pound champion and past wins over Evan Tanner, Ken Shamrock, Wanderlei Silva, and Chuck Liddell. However, “Ace”... [Read More...]
Former teacher Rich Franklin talks about passing his first test in the ring
Rich Franklin went from a school teacher to one of the most respected champions in UFC history, but it all started in a small gym for the man who would become known as “Ace.” Franklin recently opened up about his first professional fight, a bout showing just how green (but talented) he was at an early age. “This is how dumb I was: we come out and we’re mixing it up, and I end... [Read More...]
Rich Franklin done for 2011 with torn shoulder labrum
For the second consecutive year Rich Franklin will only enter the Octagon a single time after news surfaced this week regarding a torn shoulder labrum he suffered during a routine grappling session. The amount of recovery time involved will potentially keep “Ace” out 2-3 months leaving him little if any time to prepare for a fight in 2011. “The timing of this shoulder injury is unfortunate... [Read More...]
Rich Franklin fighting Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 133
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira will look to avoid extending the first losing streak of his ten-year career this summer in a superfight of sorts as the one-time PRIDE representative will see action against former UFC middleweight champ Rich Franklin at UFC 133 in Philadelphia. Nogueira is coming off back-to-back defeats against Phil Davis and Ryan Bader after winning seven straight. News of the August 6 pairing... [Read More...]
Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort and more confirmed for Super Bowl Weekend
Few Saturdays are as synonymous with the UFC putting on a major event as the card offered annually on Super Bowl weekend. With past years providing action featuring Randy Couture, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, Frank Edgar, and a number of the sport’s biggest stars, 2011 will be no exception as the UFC has officially announced a trio of main card bouts with a current champion, three former title-holders,... [Read More...]
5 Oz. MMA Link Club
Welcome back to another edition of “MMA Link Club”, Five Ounces of Pain‘s weekly smorgasbord of work from our brothers and sisters in the MMA community. Enjoy… Ariel Helwani Interviews Dana White in England After Oxford Address (MMAFighting.com) Bobby Lashley Surprises Strikeforce Officials with Decision to Fight Outside Organization this December (MiddleEasy.com) Frank Shamrock Cuts a Promo... [Read More...]
“UFC 115: Liddell vs. Franklin” Previews and Predictions
Rarely are fans privileged enough to see a pair of UFC icons and former promotional champions step into the Octagon and duke it out. June 12th will mark such an occasion, as Chuck Liddell and Rich Franklin are squared away to tap gloves and make history at the GM Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Also set to face off are affable heavyweight Pat Barry and PRIDE legend Mirko “Cro Cop”... [Read More...]
What’s next for Rich Franklin?
After Rich Franklin‘s TKO loss to Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort, during Saturday night’s UFC 103, I’m asking myself what’s next for “Ace”? The loss to Belfort was Franklin’s second consecutive fight at a catch weight match-up; his first was a unanimous decision win against Wanderlei Silva back at UFC 99 in June. But with the loss on Saturday, what do you do with him now? Dana... [Read More...]
Rich Franklin vs. Vitor Belfort to take place at 195 pounds
Although UFC President Dana White had reported that a main event bout for UFC 103 between Rich Franklin and the newly re-signed Vitor Belfort was to take place at light-heavyweight during a press conference held earlier this afternoon, it now appears that the bout between the two will now take place at a catch-weight of 195 pounds. The news comes directly from Franklin himself who posted the news of... [Read More...]
UFC 103 bout with Dan Henderson makes sense to Rich Franklin
There were more than a few fans of the sport that were left scratching their heads when a rematch between Rich Franklin and Dan Henderson was announced as the headliner for UFC 103. According to Franklin, the bout makes more sense than initially meets the eye. I recently had the opportunity to speak with Franklin for an exclusive interview which was featured in Extreme Fighter Magazine, and the former... [Read More...]
Rich Franklin vs. Dan Henderson II set to headline UFC 103
The UFC’s second venture into Texas officially has a main event! According to an announcement made on their website, former UFC Middleweight Champion Rich Franklin has been given an opportunity to avenge a razor-thin split decision loss to Dan Henderson from this past January. Henderson is freshly off a UFC 100 highlight reel knockout of his foil on last season’s Ultimate Fighter, Michael Bisping,... [Read More...]
Rich Franklin vs. Chuck Liddell a No-Go for UFC 103
A rumored main event between Rich Franklin and Chuck Liddell at UFC 103 in Dallas won’t be taking place. The news comes courtesy of a recent report on MMAJunkie.com. Apparently Franklin has been approached with a list of fighters as possible opponents for a main event bout at UFC 103 but Liddell isn’t one of the options. Franklin was originally looking to return to the octagon in December after... [Read More...]
Rich Franklin Will Train with Anderson Silva in Preparation for Wanderlei Silva
Rich Franklin who will meet Wanderlei Silva June 13th in Germany at UFC 99 has called upon a former foe to help him prepare for this bout. In an article by Dan Stupp in the Dayton Daily News, sources close to Anderson Silva have confirmed that he will indeed be working with Franklin as he prepares to meet the “Axe Murderer.” Franklin’s manager, J.T. Stewart, was asked to comment on the unusual... [Read More...]
UFC officially announces Franklin vs. Silva to headline German debut
The Ultimate Fighting Championship officially announced Tuesday that its debut in Germany has been scheduled for Saturday, June 13. UFC 99 will take place in Cologne, Germany and will emanate from the Lanxess Arena. UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta and UFC President Dana White were present at a Monday press conference in Cologne to officially announce the event. The event has been subtitled “The Comeback,”... [Read More...]
Rich Franklin vs. Wanderlei Silva expected for UFC 99
A new published report indicates that an intriguing matchup between former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin and former PRIDE middleweight (205 lbs.) champion Wanderlei Silva is set to take place at UFC 99 during the UFC’s inaugural event in Germany on June 13 in Cologne at the Lanxess Arena. The news was first reported by MMAWeekly.com, which cites multiple independent sources as having... [Read More...]
For Franklin, all Roads Lead to Anderson Silva
Rich “Ace” Franklin (24-3) has enjoyed one of the most prosperous MMA careers in the sports young history. He is a former UFC middleweight champion and has only tasted defeated three times in his career, at the hands of the undefeated Lyoto Machida and the best pound-for-pound fighter Anderson Silva (twice). Silva has dominated the middleweight division in the UFC since defeating Franklin... [Read More...]
Rich Franklin Part II: “I want to be a champion again”
On January 17th from Dublin, Ireland both Rich Franklin and Dan Henderson will face one of the toughest tests in their decorated mixed martial arts careers when they face off with one another in the main event of UFC 93. The bout pits two of the sports premier athletes up against one another in a match that gives both men a golden opportunity to breathe new life into their MMA careers. Since falling... [Read More...]
