During the UFC 83 press conference today, the UFC confirmed that former middleweight champion Rich Franklin will fight Travis Lutter this April in Montreal, Canada.
The Franklin-Lutter fight was originally rumored to take place at UFC 82 in Ohio next month, but Franklin announced last December that he had torn the meniscus in his right knee and would be sidelined until this coming June. It appears that Franklin’s recovery has gone quicker than expected, and the fight is back on.
Rick Franklin last fought at UFC 77, where he lost to Anderson Silva for the second time. This fight will be Franklin’s first on a new contract he signed with Zuffa prior to UFC 77.
Travis Lutter last fought at UFC 67 against Anderson Silva as well, where he lost in the second round. The fight was originally scheduled to be a title fight, but Lutter failed to make weight.
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Can someone tell me why Anderson Silva is fighting in Ohio again as opposed to Vegas? I mean, he was booed last time for beating the hometown hero Rich Franklin there…why in the world would they set him up to fight there again? I don’t think he trains there…does anyone know?
I think Franklin will be able get the win here. He has a definite edge on the feet and his wrestling and BJJ are good also. I don’t know if he wants to take another crack at Anderson but he deserves to be in the UFC because he’sbeen loyal even when everone around him was making more money. I hope the UFC gave him a contract he deserves now.