Rich Franklin Looks to Return in December: 'I've Always Said 185 Is My Home'

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2011/8/22/2376959/ufc-news-quotes-rich-franklin-return-december

Former UFC Middleweight champion Rich Franklin was in attendance at this weekend's Fight Tour event in Rockford, IL. At the event, Franklin spoke about his upcoming plans in the UFC. According to Franklin, he will be meeting with the UFC this week in order to set up his next fight. He's currently looking at late December for his return.

Franklin was scheduled to face Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 133 earlier this month, but when Nogueira dropped out due to injury, Franklin was left without an opponent and pulled from the card.

Since 2007, Franklin has been competing primarily at either Light Heavyweight or a 195 pound Catchweight. But the ex-champion at 185 had some interesting comments about moving between divisions:

I've always said 185 is my home. But they [the UFC] don't want me to be there, so it's 205.

Interesting to hear Franklin, always the company man, state that he is fighting outside of his preferred weight because that is what the company wants. And it makes sense from the UFC's perspective - Franklin's last five fights have all been sort of "attraction" fights against name opponents and former champions. Light Heavyweight is where you can find more of those name fighters, and provides more opportunities for Franklin. But at 2-3 in his last five fights, is what's best for the company also what's best for Franklin at this point?

I wonder if after Okami beats Spider if they will allow him back at MW? IMO he could still be the #2 MW in the World. He may not be anymore but he was for years. WAR ACE!

Meh, Marquardt, Sonnen and Okami are ahead of him.

I'd still take Ace over Okami. Not Anderson or Sonnen for obvious reasons and some other fights are close

bobbitt15 wrote:

I'd still take Ace over Okami. Not Anderson or Sonnen for obvious reasons and some other fights are close

I wouldn't be surprised if Sonnen beat Ace. That last Okami vs Ace was competitive but I still give Ace a nod but again a win for Okami wouldn't shock me. I think Ace would have handled Nate at MW though.

OU wrote:

I wonder if after Okami beats Spider if they will allow him back at MW? IMO he could still be the #2 MW in the World. He may not be anymore but he was for years. WAR ACE!

I feel the same. I would love to see Ace back at MW because I still feel he would be one of the top fighters in the division. But the only way I see Dana letting go back down is if he's got no one else lined up to challenge Anderson and with Okami, Sonnen, Vitor, possibly Bisping or Miller after another fight or so, not to mention if they bring Jacare over at some point. Ace will probably have to wait awhile if it ever happens at all

I'd rather see Ace take on Ortiz next.

MMAEYES wrote:

OU wrote:

I wonder if after Okami beats Spider if they will allow him back at MW? IMO he could still be the #2 MW in the World. He may not be anymore but he was for years. WAR ACE!

I feel the same. I would love to see Ace back at MW because I still feel he would be one of the top fighters in the division. But the only way I see Dana letting go back down is if he's got no one else lined up to challenge Anderson and with Okami, Sonnen, Vitor, possibly Bisping or Miller after another fight or so, not to mention if they bring Jacare over at some point. Ace will probably have to wait awhile if it ever happens at all

Another reason is LHW has more "names". Rich is still used as a fill in to help out events with a weak main event. If he isn't going to be fighting for titles then the UFC just gives him "names". They have had a healthy supply for him.

Ali wrote:

I'd rather see Ace take on Ortiz next.

I think Ortiz takes that by being bigger and his wrestling.

freakzilla wrote:

Ali wrote:

I'd rather see Ace take on Ortiz next.

I think Ortiz takes that by being bigger and his wrestling.

I'd lean that way too but it's an intriguing fight between two former champs.

Rich would rape Tito via more skill.

OU wrote:

Rich would rape Tito via more skill.

I don't know about that, Ace struggled with Forrests size and he's not the wrestler Tito is.

freakzilla wrote:

Interesting to hear Franklin, always the company man, state that he is fighting outside of his preferred weight because that is what the company wants. And it makes sense from the UFC's perspective - Franklin's last five fights have all been sort of "attraction" fights against name opponents and former champions. Light Heavyweight is where you can find more of those name fighters, and provides more opportunities for Franklin. But at 2-3 in his last five fights, is what's best for the company also what's best for Franklin at this point?

It makes perfect since for the company because they don't end up with a guy who keeps earning at shot at a fight they can't sell to the fans because most fans won't want to watch Franklin rematch Anderson again. Plus it puts Franklin into a divison that they have plenty of new opponents for Ace but NO is the answer to your question in bold. Because Franklins best bet at higher ranking fights is in the MW division.

OU wrote:

Rich would rape Tito via more skill.

I see Tito winning easily.

freakzilla wrote:

OU wrote:

Rich would rape Tito via more skill.

I see Tito winning easily.

wrong again.

I'd take Tito early for sure but then he would start to fade and get picked apart. It would be a close decision most likely

Franklin should be able to take Ortiz. He had no problem stuffing Matt Hamill's takedowns. Forrest's striking set-up his takedowns against Franklin. Franklin wouldn't respect Ortiz stand-up the same way -- he would always look to stuff the shot first. Would be a great fight.

If this fight happened at their peaks who would you guys pick to win it?

Rampage

Okami

OU wrote:

Rich would rape Tito via more skill.

When was the last time Ace raped anyone?

killerofchicken wrote:

OU wrote:

Rich would rape Tito via more skill.

When was the last time Ace raped anyone?

Hamill, the guy who beat Tito.

Hamill was a different fighter then and Ace was better. Tito hangs with Forrest every time they fight, and Forrest manhandled Franklin.

Tito for whatever reason always seems to run out of steam in the third round and gives it away. If Rich could steal one of the other rounds Matt Hamill style he could take this.

I see Rich v Tito a lot like Forrest vs Tito II where Rich plays the roles of Forrest.