Rich Franklin hoping for another run at the Middleweight title

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