Rich Franklin hoping for another run at the Middleweight title
Posted on March 23, 2012, 07:11 PM by Trent Reinsmith
Rich Franklin has not fought in the Middleweight division since 2008. That will all change on July 7 when he meets Cung Le at UFC 148, which is scheduled to take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
While fight at Middleweight, Franklin captured the UFC title, defeating Evan Tanner at UFC 53. He would defend the title twice, knocking out Nate Quarry and beating David Loiseau via unanimous decision. Franklin would lose the title in his next bout, falling to Anderson Silva at the 2:59 mark of Round One at UFC 64.
After that loss Franklin remained at 185, earning a shot at Silva at UFC 77, which he also lost via first round knock out. Following the loss to Silva, Franklin would fight once more at 185 before moving up to 205.
With the return to Middleweight, Franklin is once again focused on the title that he once held, “I was talking to Monte Cox and I said what would the UFC think about me moving back down to 185? I think at this point in time, in their minds, if I was able to put a title run together, even if they did do another rematch between Anderson (Silva) and I, there’s been enough time at this point there would be interest in the fight, and I guess that’s what the interest is now.” – for more see MMAWeekly
What do you think LowKick’ers, can Franklin make another run at the 185 pound title?
Further Reading: Official: Rich Franklin vs. Cung Le at UFC 148, Guida vs. Maynard at UFC on FX 4
Anderson Silva, left, fights Rich Franklin at the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) 64 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, October 14, 2006. Photo credit: Francis Specker
Comments
Guess he's counting on Silva retiring soon. I like Rich so I really don't want to see him fight Anderson Silva again
Honestly, as much as Rich got alked into thinking he should have won the fight by his corner, I'm sure he went back and watched the tape of his fight with Griffin and realized he got wrecked by someone that's been a gatekeeper for the division. Considering Liddell had broken his arm with a kick, at his only other fight at LHW this run, he was 5 seconds away from losing to someone the UFC brass had been begging to retire.
Middleweight is a much better place for Franklin in general. Besides, if he was worried about not being able to beat Silva, and he was generally outsized and pushed around by Forrest Griffin, what chance do you think he'd have against Jones?
Looking forward to Rich fighting 185 again... I see him taking out most of the people he fights at 185, hopefully he will fight for 2/3 more years at least
I don't see him becoming a contender again, the middleweight division is much different now and he is too old. I see Palhares or Weidman making a title run. Maybe Munoz.
Let's see how he does against Cung before we start talking title runs.
Y'all forgetin bout our boy Chael, what'd he say he was goin to do to that math teacher???
Teach him Silva + Fanklin = Broken Nose
Rich is passed his prime. He was great when he was in it, but now his skill level will slowly but surely decrease with aging. The middle weight division is to stacked for franklin. He cant get passed vitor, much less ne of the other top 5 guys. I like Rich, but its just passed his time.
Rich is still a lot more well rounded than people remember. But no, dont want to see Silva and him again. Unless hes learned something watching Chael's previous performances or wants to punch Chael, idk