Rich Franklin Wants to Make One More Run at the UFC Middleweight Title
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Rich Franklin Wants to Make One More Run at the UFC Middleweight Title
prophecy033
3/27/12 1:06:43AM
In July 2011, just before his scheduled fight at UFC 133, Rich Franklin was of the mindset that his time at middleweight was over.
“The UFC has basically told me that they’re not interested in having me fight at 185 anymore,” Franklin said in an interview with MMAWeekly.com. “Which is the only reason I made the move to 205 in the first place.”
Fast forward to March 2012 after Franklin had shoulder surgery that kept him out of fighting for the remainder of 2011, and it was announced that he would face former Strikeforce champion Cung Le at UFC 148.
The biggest surprise about that fight of course is that it’s taking place at middleweight.
So what changed over these last several months that brought Frankling back down to 185 pounds?
Link
“The UFC has basically told me that they’re not interested in having me fight at 185 anymore,” Franklin said in an interview with MMAWeekly.com. “Which is the only reason I made the move to 205 in the first place.”
Fast forward to March 2012 after Franklin had shoulder surgery that kept him out of fighting for the remainder of 2011, and it was announced that he would face former Strikeforce champion Cung Le at UFC 148.
The biggest surprise about that fight of course is that it’s taking place at middleweight.
So what changed over these last several months that brought Frankling back down to 185 pounds?
Link
Cooler
3/27/12 1:24:08AM
Not liking his chances... not gonna lie.
Budgellism
3/27/12 2:03:56AM
He's a tough fight for anyone not named Anderson Silva at MW. I'd like to see him make a go at a run.
Adrenaline
3/27/12 3:49:56AM
Chael Sonnen vs Rich Franklin for the UFC MW title, Fall 2012 
Seriously though, Rich is a beast at 185, he is not a gimme for anyone.
Seriously though, Rich is a beast at 185, he is not a gimme for anyone.
Shawn91111
3/27/12 5:55:06AM
Rich vs Bisping or Stann would be ok
sparky
3/27/12 10:16:35AM
Posted by Budgellism
He's a tough fight for anyone not named Anderson Silva at MW.
Did we forget Vitor leaving Rich face down not sure of what happened??
BuffaloDave
3/27/12 10:44:23AM
Posted by sparky
Posted by Budgellism
He's a tough fight for anyone not named Anderson Silva at MW.
Did we forget Vitor leaving Rich face down not sure of what happened??
Doesn't count, the fight with Belfort was a Catchweight at 195 not at MW
FastKnockout
3/27/12 12:07:11PM
LHW had a lot of interesting match-ups for him but he wasted valuable time in his prime IMO. MW will always be his home where he's the most competitive. Hope he ends his career in the division.
Kpro
3/27/12 12:14:20PM
I like it. There are some good matchups for him in the top 10 MW's as he makes his run.
Bubbles
3/27/12 12:46:31PM
Posted by Adrenaline
Chael Sonnen vs Rich Franklin for the UFC MW title, Fall 2012
it would have to be in 2013, Rich needs a couple wins first
KungFuMaster
3/27/12 12:56:14PM
If Anderson is still the champ, if and when Franklin receives a title shot, Franklin is going to fall short again. Franklin's best hope is for Sonnen to win this coming up fight - and even then, it would be an incredibly difficult task to earn a title shot at this point in Franklin's career.
tcunningham
3/27/12 1:21:58PM
he wont have the title again but im still glad to see him at MW once more. i always liked watching him at MW but was never really crazy about him at LHW. i think he can be in the top 5 if he really gets after it and doesnt have any injuries. i would love to see him and stann or bisping, or even munoz.
Adrenaline
3/28/12 12:22:04AM
Posted by Bubbles
Posted by Adrenaline
Chael Sonnen vs Rich Franklin for the UFC MW title, Fall 2012
it would have to be in 2013, Rich needs a couple wins first
When Ace does this to Cung Le, you may reconsider 2012
ghandikush
3/28/12 4:52:18PM
Posted by Adrenaline
Posted by Bubbles
Posted by Adrenaline
Chael Sonnen vs Rich Franklin for the UFC MW title, Fall 2012
it would have to be in 2013, Rich needs a couple wins first
When Ace does this to Cung Le, you may reconsider 2012
He only needs a couple wins because he is a tough physical fighter fighting larger physical men. At 185 he whoops everyone but Silva.
Franklinfan47
3/28/12 6:13:36PM
Its good just to see Franklin fighting with a purpose again, regardless of his chances. As has been said, he may still be a #3-4 middleweight in the world. He had some fun catchweight fights, but with nothing to show for it.
State_Champ
3/28/12 8:24:28PM
Posted by ghandikush
He only needs a couple wins because he is a tough physical fighter fighting larger physical men. At 185 he whoops everyone but Silva.
'Ace' vs Bisping?
You think Ace wins?
Bubbles
3/29/12 10:56:09AM
Posted by ghandikush
He only needs a couple wins because he is a tough physical fighter fighting larger physical men. At 185 he whoops everyone but Silva.
Sonnen, Bisping, and Belfort all beat Franklin. Le might even pull off the upset
ghandikush
3/31/12 12:31:55AM
Posted by Bubbles
Posted by ghandikush
He only needs a couple wins because he is a tough physical fighter fighting larger physical men. At 185 he whoops everyone but Silva.
Sonnen, Bisping, and Belfort all beat Franklin. Le might even pull off the upset
Yeah maybe. I think Bisping has better chances than Chael stylistically. I forgot about Belfort.
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