Rich Franklin plans to retire in two or three years

Rich “The Ace” Franklin holds an impressive record of 26-5 record and is a former UFC middleweight champion. Franklin has beaten some of the best in the world including: Wanderlei Silva, Matt Hamill, Ken Shamrock and Evan Tanner. Currently, Franklin has lost two of his last three fights, with his latest loss coming in the form of a KO by the hands of Vitor Belfort. Franklin still believes that he has what it takes to make another run for the title but feels he has only two or three years left in mixed martial arts.

 “I’m at a point now where I’ve fought enough fights and it’s time for me to make a title run again and see where that takes me. That’s where my focus is now,’‘said Franklin, who has five fights left on his contract. “It depends on the speed of things. I would imagine I’ll probably end up negotiating one more contract before I retire. I’m looking at another two or three years of fighting.”

Rumors are flying around that he will face the former heavyweight and light heavyweight champion and UFC hall of famer, Randy “The Natural” Couture in June at UFC 115. Couture is currently on a two fight win streak in which he defeated Brandon “The Truth” Vera and Mark “The Hammer” Coleman. When asked how soon this fight will take place, Franklin had this to say:

“It’s not signed yet, but we’ve been working Randy now for a while. We’ve talked June, then we talked August and now we’re talking June again,” Franklin said. “I think we’re having problems with Randy’s scheduling. So I really don’t know what the plan is at this point.”

Rich Franklin has not fought since his fight in September and will try to get back on the win column as soon as his next fight is announced.

Source: Mixedmartialarts.com