Rich Franklin
Rich Franklin | “Ace”
Ht: 6’1 – Wt: 205 – Age: 38
Born: Ohio, USA
Fights out of: Cincinnati, OH, USA
Team: Team Extreme | JG MMA
Overall Record: 29-7
UFC Record: 14-6
Background:
Rich Franklin was the former UFC middleweight champion before ultimately leaving the division following consecutive attempts to re-capture his title against Anderson Silva. Franklin made his mixed martial arts debut in 1999, winning his first 11 fights on the independent circuit. Franklin signed with the UFC in 2003 where he made a successful debut by defeating Evan Tanner via 1st round TKO. Franklin scored a follow-up win over Edwin Dewees at UFC 44 before eventually returning to the independent circuit. Franklin accepted a fight with fellow undefeated prospect Lyoto Machida in Japan in 2003, but suffered his first career loss via 2nd round TKO. Franklin rebound by winning his next 4 fights including a victory over Jorge Rivera at UFC 50. Franklin’s UFC career began to take off following a TKO victory over MMA legend Ken Shamrock at the TUF 1 Finale. Franklin went on to coach season 2 of TUF before challenging Evan Tanner for the UFC middleweight championship. Following 4 rounds of punishment, the doctor was forced to stop the fight awarding Franklin the TKO victory and the UFC title. Franklin successfully defended his title twice, knocking out Nate Quarry before winning a lopsided decision over David Loiseau. Franklin moved on to face Brazilian Anderson Silva at UFC 64. Silva dominated Franklin early, breaking Franklin’s nose and finishing him off with knees. Franklin rebounded with two straight wins over Jason MacDonald and Yushin Okami to earn a chance at re-claiming his UFC title in 2007. Franklin held his own early, but Silva soon overwhelmed Franklin with his striking superiority, winning via 2nd round TKO. Franklin’s career was now in flux as he was unlikely to earn a 3rd shot at Silva’s belt. Franklin defeated Travis Lutter at UFC 83 before moving up to the light heavyweight division at UFC 88 where he finished TUF 3’s Matt Hamill via TKO. Franklin headlined UFC 93 and UFC 99 where he faced legends Dan Henderson and Wanderlei Silva in catchweight fights. Both fights were close decisions as Franklin more than held his own against the two former PRIDE stars. Franklin lost via split decision to Henderson, while defeating Wanderlei. Franklin still seemed far away from a potential title shot and once again took part in a catchweight about against recently signed Vitor Belfort at UFC 103. Belfort rocked Franklin early and finished him via TKO in the opening minutes of the fight. Franklin was out of action for nearly 9 months before returning against fellow former champion Chuck Liddell at UFC 115. The two strikers traded punches early with Liddell landing the bigger shots, but Franklin was able to score a counter right hand that sent Liddell reeling to the floor for the knockout finish. Franklin was sidelined for a few months due to injuries before finally returning at UFC 126 where he lost a decision to Forrest Griffin.
2011 Breakdown:
Franklin only fought once in 2011 as he continued to struggle with injuries.
Franklin faced off against former light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin at UFC 126. Franklin struggled to combat Griffin’s size and strength advantage throughout the fight. Griffin took Franklin down in the 1st and 2nd rounds and was able to land some effective punches from top position. Franklin tried to get back to his feet, but was unable to mount any significant offense. In the final round, likely down on the scorecards, Franklin tried to push the pace with strikes. Franklin was able to land some crisp shots, but he was unable to hurt Forrest, eventually losing via unanimous decision.
Franklin looked to rebound against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 133, but he suffered an injury that would sideline him for the remainder of 2011.
2012 Forecast:
Rich Franklin’s career has been stuck in neutral ever since losing his middleweight championship to Anderson Silva back in 2007. Franklin has always been a company guy and has been resigned to fighting at 195 and 205 pounds for the last few years against high-profile competition. Franklin has held his own against legends Dan Henderson, Wanderlei Silva, and Chuck Liddell, but Franklin continues to be overlooked as far as overall career accomplishments. Franklin always had a tough cut to middleweight, but he would be wise to once again consider returning there as there are a host of new contenders to face. With Anderson Silva possibly on the brink of retirement, Franklin may be able to make one last run at the title. Until that time, Franklin will struggle to find his way in the light heavyweight division. He is simply too small for the division and would likely struggle against the heavy hitters ranked ahead of him.
Rich Franklin Fight Record
Overall Record: 28-6
2008-2011 Record: 4-3
2011 Record: 0-1
Loss | Forrest Griffin | Dec | Rd 3 | UFC | 02/05/2011
2010 Record: 1-0
Win | Chuck Liddell | KO | Rd 1 | UFC | 06/12/2010
2009 Record: 1-2
Loss | Vitor Belfort | Tko | Rd 1 | UFC | 09/19/2009
Win | Wanderlei Silva | Dec | Rd 3 | UFC | 06/13/2009
Loss | Dan Henderson | Dec | Rd 3 | UFC | 01/17/2009
2008 Record: 2-0
Win | Matt Hamill | Tko | Rd 3 | UFC | 09/06/2008
Win | Travis Lutter | Tko | Rd 2 | UFC | 04/19/2008
