Shortly after Fighters.com reported the reports of a verbally agreed to matchup between “Iceman” Chuck Liddell (21-7) and “Ace” Rich Franklin (26-5) at UFC 115 in Vancouver June 12, UFC President Dana White denied the reports. ...

Former staple champions for the UFC, light heavyweight “Iceman” Chuck Liddell (21-7) and one-time middleweight “Ace” Rich Franklin (26-5), will matchup in the main event of UFC 115 in Vancouver June 12, according to a Fighters Only Report and confirmed by MMA Junkie. ...

Fighters.com seventh-ranked middleweight Chael Sonnen (24-10-1) has announced that he is running for Oregon State Representative. I love the fact that he is looking to venture into politics. This could lead to some positive press for the sport of mixed martial arts, if only he was not hiding the fact that he fights. ...

Fighters.com’s second-ranked middleweight Jake Shields (23-4-1) cemented his status as top contender to Fighters.com and UFC Middleweight Champion “Spider” Anderson Silva's (25-4) titles and picked up the Strikeforce strap himself in a five-round unanimous decision over former top ten and nails-tough “Mayhem” Jason Miller (22-7) at Strikeforce in Chicago November 7. ...

Fighters.com and UFC Middleweight Champion “Spider” Anderson Silva (25-4) will defend his titles from unranked “Phenom” Vitor Belfort (18-8) at UFC 108 in Las Vegas January 2. ...

Xtreme Couture's "Phenom" Vitor Belfort (18-8) scored his bulliest victory in four-plus years TKOing Fighters.com's ninth-ranked middleweight "Ace" Rich Franklin (26-5) at 3:02 of round one in a 195-pound catch weight main event at UFC 103 in Dallas Saturday night. "Jesus, I love you," shouted Belfort in the Octagon after the fight, and in his dressing room he added,  "God gave me a gift and I'm using it.  And, I'm ready.  A lot of people thought I was done, you know, and that's what I'm bringing to this game - hope, faith, and hard work. ...

Former UFC middleweight champ “Ace” Rich Franklin (26-4) sat down with Fighters.com at SACAN Family Martial Arts in Cincinnati to discuss where he fits in now in the UFC and his future and legacy in and out of MMA. Franklin will fight “Phenom” Vitor Belfort (17-8) in the main event at UFC 103 in Dallas Saturday, the third consecutive opponent whose name is as big as Franklin's in MMA. ...

Fighters.com editor-in-chief Chad Edward wrote the feature story on Cincinnati native "Ace" Rich Franklin (26-4) in Tuesday's Cincinnati Enquirer sports page. The story titled "Franklin prepares for UFC 103" can be read at Cincinnati.com. ...

Former UFC middleweight champion "Ace" Rich Franklin (26-4) fielded questions from the media Tuesday afternoon. Franklin will fight "Phenom" Vitor Belfort (17-8) at UFC 103 is Dallas 19 September.

UFC 103 will begin at 6:30 PM local time at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas 19 September and tickets starting at $50 are available at Ticketmaster. UFC 103 will be broadcast on pay-per-view beginning at 10:PM EST and Fighters.com post live results after each fight.

Former UFC middleweight champion "Ace" Rich Franklin (26-4) will roll out the crimson carpet welcoming former UFC light heavyweight champion "Phenom" Vitor Belfort (17-8) back into the Octagon at UFC 103 in Dallas 19 September, announced UFC President Dana White Friday afternoon. Belfort will replace "Hollywood" Dan Henderson (25-7) who defeated Franklin by split decision at UFC 93 in Dublin 17 January. White indicated fan disappointment with the Hendo' v Franklin rematch as cause for the switch. The fight will be contested at 205 pounds, neither Franklin nor Belfort's best weight. ...

Fighters.com phoned UFC lightweight Jorge Gurgel (12-4) to check-in on his preparation for his fight against Aaron Riley (26-10-1) at UFC 91 Las Vegas 15 November and our talk went places we never expected. FIghters.com: Jorge, your scheduled to fight at UFC 91.  This event is being hyped by the industry insiders as a UFC card with potential to set record pay-per-view sales.  What's your thoughts on being part of this event? Jorge Gurgel: To be honest.  It's a huge honor to be part of the UFC.  Period.  My dream in life has always been to be part of the UFC and fight in the UFC.  As far as the event being the highest pay-per-view event ever, for me it's just another fight.  You know, there's so much on the line for fighters now days.  Every performance counts. The next fight is the most important fight every time.   My job is always on the line. I am very focused on my fight and my teammate's fights: Dustin Hazelett and Kenny Florian.  I am worried about our performances and how the three of us are going to do and then everything else will take care of itself.  FIghters.com: Your opponent, Aaron Riley, is coming off two straight wins; but, it's his first fight in the UFC since 2006.  Do you think Riley's time away from the Octagon plays to your advantage? ...

Conventional MMA wisdom has already matched "Count" Michael Bisping (17-1) versus the winner of UFC 93's main eventin Dublin 18 January between Fighters.com's fifth-ranked light heavyweight "Hollywood" Dan Henderson (23-7) and second-ranked middleweight "Ace" Rich Franklin (24-3). But, that's not explicitly what UFC President Dana White told The Sun 17 Octoberin the report that first announced that Bisping and either Hendo' or "Ace" would coach on the ninth season of The Ultimate Fighter. In fact, White promised The Sunthat Bisping would coach TUF 9 "win, lose or draw" versus "Crippler" Chris Leben (18-5) at UFC 89 in Birmingham 18 October. It doesn't make sense that Bisping would earn a fight versus either currently ranked and historically relevant mixed martial artist, Henderson or Franklin, if he drew or lost versus popular, but unranked Leben. Does it? ...

UFC President Dana White confirmed Friday in Birmingham that "Count" Michael Bisping (16-1) and the winner of the UFC 93 light heavyweight main event between fifth-ranked "Hollywood" Dan Henderson (23-7) and second-ranked middleweight "Ace" Rich Franklin (24-3), who has moved up to 205 pounds, will coach on the ninth season of reality television contest The Ultimate Figher. "Win, lose or draw [versus "Crippler" Chris Leben (18-4) at UFC 89 Saturday], Michael Bisping will coach the UK team on TUF 9," White said, then added, "We’re looking at Henderson or Franklin to be the American coach on TUF 9." UFC 93 is scheduled for Dublin 17 January. Franklin coached on TUF 2 in 2005.  His team included heavyweight winner and now fourth-ranked light heavyweight "Sugar" Rashad Evans (12-0-1), who will challenge Fighters.com's Champion Forrest Griffin (16-4) for the title in Franklin's new weight class in Las Vegas 27 December. ...

Two years ago, the UFC 93 main event matchup between "Ace" Rich Franklin (24-3) and Fighters.com's third-ranked light heavyweight "Hollywood" Dan Henderson (23-7) would've determined the top middleweight in the world. Now, the fight to take place in Dublin 17 January, poses less noble questions about fighters at pivotal points in their careers. "Rich Franklin v Dan Henderson is a battle between two great former champions who are both looking to get another chance to wear a world title around their waist," said Dana White, UFC President.  "These are two fan favorites with a lot of pride on the line as they want to show that they are still among the very best fighters in the world." ...

Fighters.com's seventh-ranked middleweight "Twinkle Toes" Frank Trigg (17-6) made a successful comebackwith an anti-climactic unanimous decision over Makoto Takimoto (4-5) in Saitama, north of Tokyo, 25 August and plans to fight Falaniko Vitale (26-8) 3 October in Denver. Trigg also welcomed a son, Stone, to his family in September.  Congratulations from Fighters.com. The remainder of the Middleweight Top Ten was on holiday last month...well, at least at middleweight. Top contender "Ace" Rich Franklin (23-3) made a successful return to light heavyweight in Atlanta 6 September.  He remains wishy-washy about his future in either division. But, before Franklin could move-up to 205, Fighters.com's Middleweight Champion "Spider" Anderson Silva (22-4) beat him there.  Franklin must wonder whether Silva is going to move to Cincinnati and start teaching high school math too. Silva is preparing to defend his Fighters.com and UFC titles versus "Predator" Patrick Cote (13-4) in Chicago 25 October. Third-ranked "Ely" Paulo Filho's (16-0) WEC title defense versus Chael Sonnen (20-9-1) was postponed from tonight to 5 November due to Hurrican Ike. Fourth-ranked EliteXC champ "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler (16-4) is rumored to be considering a rematch versus Joey Villasenor (26-6), whom Lawler KO'd in 22 seconds in 2006. ...

"Sugar" Rashad Evans (12-0-1) knocked out Fighters.com's fourth-ranked light heavyweight "Iceman" Chuck Liddell (21-6) with a right hook in the second round Saturday night in Atlanta. Liddell lay unconcious on the canvas for several minutes after the punch. Evans jitter-bugged around a stalking Liddell the entire fight.  Liddell never really got a beat on him, but landed a straight right in the first round.  Evans back-pedalled and taunted Liddell with a dance. In the second round, Liddell lunged for an uppercut and took Evans's counter right hook square on the jaw to end the fight at 1:51. Franklin Finishes Friend "Ace" Rich Franklin (24-3) TKO'd his friend and former training partner "Hammer" Matt Hamill (4-2) at 39 seconds of round three with a left kick to Hamill's floating rib in Franklin's return to 205. Franklin had landed the same kick consistently through the first two rounds.  In the third, the kick dropped Hamill and Franklin landed two punches before referee Mario Yamasaki waved the fight off. ...

"Hammer" Matt Hamill (4-1) talked to Fighters.com before his fight with friend and former training partner Fighters.com's second-ranked middleweight "Ace" Rich Franklin (23-3), who is moving up to 205-pounds. ...

Fighters.com's second-ranked middleweight "Ace" Rich Franklin (23-3) spoke to Fighters.com Thursday in Atlanta at the UFC 88 press conference.  Franklin will fight "Hammer" Matt Hamill (4-1) in Franklin's return to 205 Saturday.  

Fighters.com attended the UFC 88 open workout in Atlanta Wednesday afternoon. Fighters.com's fourth-ranked light heavyweight “Iceman” Chuck Liddell (21-5) bounced in place as reporters lined-up to interview the former UFC champion before his fight versus "Sugar" Rashad Evans (11-0-1) Saturday night. Playful and boisterous, Liddell told Fighters.com he was ready to fight Evans today in a video interview that will be posted shortly. Evans was a bit more low-key, focusing on the biggest fight of his career and rolling with middleweight training partner Nathan Marquardt (26-8-2), who fights "Hitman" Martin Kampmann (13-1) Saturday night. Co-main event second-ranked middleweight "Ace" Rich Franklin (23-3), moving to 205 Saturday versus former training partner "Hammer" Matt Hamill (4-1), skipped his scheduled session. Sources in Franklin's camp alternately told Fighters.com that Franklin wasn't feeling well and that he was eating to maintain the weight of his new division. Neither excuse gives much solace to Fighters.com after Franklin's comments about his uncertainty about fighting his former training partner and moving to 205 pounds. ...

Fighters.com's second-ranked middleweight "Ace" Rich Franklin (23-3)  will launch into the 205-pound weight class next weekend in Atlanta.  Franklin answered questions and worked out for the media Wednesday morning at Jorge Gurgel's (12-4) Mixed Martial Arts Academy in West Chester, north of Franklin's native Cincinnati. Fighters.com: You had said you’d take fights at 205 if the UFC offered an interesting match-up.  Why is "Hammer" Matt Hamill (4-1) interesting to you? Rich Franklin: Well, uh, the UFC more or less encouraged me to move up to 205 because my standing in the 185-pound weight class kind of left me stagnant, in a position where I was going to end up fighting only the guys who lost to Anderson Silva.  They weren't...the UFC right now is not interested in seeing me fight Silva a third time and they really don't want me fighting any of the contenders coming up because that would eliminate possible title fights.  And, with that said, I really don't have anything much to shoot for at the 185-pound class.  So, they kept talking to me about moving up to 205; and, having agreed to move up to 205, they previously offered me one fight before they offered me the Hamill fight and I had turned that fight down; and then, uh, they came at...they came to me with the second fight, which was the Hamill fight.  And, I kind of put myself in a situation where I couldn't really turn the fight down even though Matt and I had known each other and had some history together.  Um, I basically said to the UFC, you know, I said, "Well, that's kind of a tough fight for me to take."  I said, "But, if you take it to his camp and they're interested in the fight, then I guess I'll sign."  And, that's basically how the ball got rollin' on that. ...

The middleweight top ten whirls like a dervish across the UFC, WEC, EliteXC, DREAM, Sengoku, and Strikeforce, leaving Fighters.com's Middleweight Champion "Spider" Anderson Silva (22-4) to defend versus "Predator" Patrick Cote (13-4) in Chicago 25 October. The UFC seemed intent that sixth-ranked "Thunder" Yushin Okami (21-4-1) miss his de facto UFC top contender challenge of Silva, marketing Cote versus "Cachorrao" Ricardo Almeida (9-3) in Las Vegas 5 July as an eliminator fight even before Okami pulled up lame with a broken hand. Cote won by split decision. ...

The UFC officially announced three fights Wednesday for its 6 September card in Atlanta: • a previously reported light heavyweight bout between Fighters.com’s second-ranked middleweight “Ace” Rich Franklin (23-3) and “Hammer” Matt Hamill (4-1); • a rumoured welterweight bout between tenth-ranked “Zenko” Yoshiyuki Yoshida (10-2) and “The Heat” Karo Parisyan (18-5); • a middleweight bout between “Hollywood” Dan Henderson (22-7) and “Toquinho” Rousimar Palhares (8-1). Yoshida, who won his last nine fights, made his UFC debut in May with a 56-second submission over “War Machine” Jon Koppenhaver (5-2). Parisyan will look to come back from a second-round TKO loss to third-ranked “Pitbull” Thiago Alves (15-3) at Fight Night 13 in April. Henderson, a former PRIDE Middleweight and Light Heavyweight Champion, was submitted via second-round rear naked choke by UFC and Fighters.com’s Middleweight Champion “Spider” Anderson Silva (22-4) in March. Palhares is looking for his seventh consecutive win. In May he submitted Ivan Salaverry (13-7) via armbar in round one. ...

A source close to Fighters.com's top middleweight contender "Ace" Rich Franklin's (23-3) camp confirmed Wednesday that Franklin is preparing to fight "Hammer"  Matt Hamill (4-1) at 205-pounds. J.T. Stewart, Franklin's agent, confirmed to the Cincinnati Enquirer that the contracts are signed. Fighters.com's source said that Franklin's trainers have been preparing for a Hamill-focused training camp and sharing notes from Hamill's time at Jorge Gurgel's Academy north of Cincinnati, where Franklin trains most of the year. Hamill is coming off a second-round TKOof "Barbarian" Tim Boetsch (7-2) in Denver 2 April. Franklin is coming off a second-round TKOof "Serial Killer" Travis Lutter (9-5) in Montréal 19 April. In May, Fighters.com suggested Franklin's temporary move back to 205-pounds should be to avenge his 2003 loss to top light heavyweight contender"Dragon" Lyoto Machida (13-0). However, a Franklin versus Hamill match-up will captivate the large Greater Cincinnati MMA community, both fighters being natives of The Queen City. Too bad it'll be fought in Atlanta. ...

It's with a heavy heart that Fighters.com's June Middleweight Rankings saw legendary "Hollywood" Dan Henderson (22-7) fall from the top ten. But, the cold, hard ledger reveals Hendo' hasn't had a win at 185-pounds in two years. Hendo's previous rank was filled by tenth-ranked "Mayhem" Jason Miller (20-6), falling a notch to newly ninth-ranked "Jacare" Ronaldo Souza (9-1). Souza debuted in the top ten after pulling off a tight two-round unanimous decision over Miller in DREAM's Middleweight Grand Prix 15 June. Also in June Japanese action, "Grabaka Hitman" Kazuo Misaki (20-8-2) cemented his seventh ranking with a UD over "Pink Pounder" Logan Clark at Sengoku. Misaki now seeks revenge over new Sengoku add-on, seventh-ranked "Twinkle Toes" Frank Trigg (16-6). No Sengoku match-up has been announced for Trigg; but, one would assume Misaki's home nation promotion wants to match the old enemies as soon as Trigg is ready. Sixth-ranked "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler (15-4) was pulling away from "Hands of Stone" Scott Smith (13-4) in the third round of their EliteXC title fight 31 May in Newark, west of New York City, when a thumb to Smith's eye rendered the result a No Contest. Lawler held steady in June, as did the entire middleweight top five. ...

Everyone loves a rematch! In December 2003, Fighters.com's third-ranked light heavyweight "Dragon" Lyoto Machida (13-0) TKO'd second-ranked middleweight "Ace" Rich Franklin (23-3), then fighting at 205-pounds, in the second round. But, the match-up was on the undercard of a Japanese event before Franklin conquered "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock (26-13-2) on the original TUF finale, propelling "Ace" to North American stardom, and Machida conquered "Huntington Beach Bad Boy" Tito Ortiz (15-6-1) last Saturday, continuing his impressive UFC run. Though the fight is available on the Internet, few North Americans have seen it. Now, both fighters are lingering directionless in their respective divisions. ...

Fighters.com's top-ranked middleweight "Spider" Anderson Silva (21-4) has sucked the air out of this division. In April, second-ranked "Ace" Rick Franklin (23-3) finessed out of an armbar executed by TUF champ "Serial Killer" Travis Lutter (9-5) to pick apart the Texan in two rounds, but Franklin has no where to go after two stoppages to Silva. As mentioned in 3 May's Bushido Sheet, Franklin was offered a main event versus tenth-ranked "Hollywood" Dan Henderson (22-7) at UFC 85, but turned down the fight. Franklin continues to consider interesting match-ups at 205-pounds. Hendo' dropped a rank in May after his 2006 UD over eighth-ranked "Grabaka Hitman" Kazuo Misaki (19-8-2) fell from his two-year record leaving "Hollywood" without a win at 185-pounds in two years. His March stoppage to Silva leaves him with few good match-ups but for Franklin.  At this point, Hendo' just needs a win in the Octagon. The trail on the "Hitman" Misaki has gone cold since his March submission of Siyar Bahadurzada (13-2-1) at Sengoku. Third-ranked "Ely" Paulo Filho (16-0) is recovering from a substance abuse problem in Brazil. He's scheduled for a rematch with Chael Sonnen (20-9-1) to defend his WEC title, but don't hold your breath for a Silva versus Filho title unification bout. Filho and Silva are friends and refuse to fight each other; and, Filho plans to move to 205-pounds win, lose, or draw to Sonnen. Fourth-ranked Yoshihiro Akiyama's (10-1) run at the DREAM Middleweight Grand Prix championship ended before it began when he re-injured a nasal bone fracture in training, causing him to withdraw. Fifth-ranked "Thunder" Yushin Okami (22-4) remains the most likely candidate to take a swat at "Spider", but no official word yet. Sixth-ranked "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler (15-4) may be the face of the division when his EliteXC title defense versus "Hands of Stone" Scott Smith (13-4) is broadcast on national television across North America at the end of May. Ninth-ranked "Mayhem" Jason Miller (21-5) debuted before the Nipponese in May with a first-round TKO of Katsuyori Shibata (2-4), but the "W" does little to propel him forward in the division. May Middleweight Rankings 1. "Spider" Anderson Silva (21-4) “Spider” fights like he’s hacked the matrix, making top-tier opponents look like they’re clumsily swatting at a web. In March he choked out former PRIDE champ Hendo’. His two-year record has both volume and quality with a “W” next to each challenger. 2. "Ace" Rich Franklin (23-3) Despite two stoppages to Silva, Franklin is still the best of the rest, even according to Silva himself. "Ace" finessed from a Travis Lutter armbar to pick the TUF champ apart in April and outwrestled notoriously powerful Okami for a decision last July. 3. "Ely" Paulo Filho (16-0) Filho's perfect rap sheet lists solid foes, but only an ’06 KO of Misaki among top-tenners. Chael Sonnen gave him hell in a controversial stoppage, but Filho missed the March rematch. A strong comeback and top-ten challenge will solidify Filho’s ranking. 4. Yoshihiro Akiyama (10-1) The Zainichi judoka ran the K-1 gauntlet of weight-mismatched spectacles before bursting into 185-pound contention with a KO of Denis Kang. Akiyama drew Misaki on NYE, but the end was deemed illegal and the result a NC. He also needs a strong comeback. 5. "Thunder" Yushin Okami (22-4) Okami has been most active among the top ten in the last two years and comes off a knockout of former UFC champ Evan Tanner.  His only UFC loss was to Franklin, but could’ve conceivably been a “W” had he went after “Ace” before the final two minutes. 6. "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler (15-4) “Ruthless” rides a four-fight “W” streak since being choked out by Miller in ’06, including a KO of Trigg and stoppages of solid fighters Murilo Rua and Joey Villasenor. Upcoming versus Scott Smith won’t prove much unless he loses. 7. "Twinkle Toes" Frank Trigg (16-6) With all Trigg does, you may have missed his comeback at middleweight the last two years, starting with a TKO of Miller and a UD over Misaki. Lawler iced him at Icon, but he’s returned with a quick stoppage of Edwin Dewees. He’s my division wildcard to watch. 8. "Grabaka Hitman" Kazuo Misaki (19-8-2) Misaki has made successful hits on Denis Kang and Hendo’, but also dropped decisions to Trigg and Hendo’ and a stoppage to Filho. Regardless, he’s won and lost among the division’s best, and may have added a “W” versus Akiyama if PRIDE rules ruled K-1. 9. "Mayhem" Jason Miller (21-5) Always entertaining “Mayhem” has thrown in a stoppage over Lawler and a stoppage by Trigg into a mixed bag of competition the last two years. 10. "Hollywood" Dan Henderson (22-7) "Hollywood" served Silva his first losing round in two years, but couldn't follow-up in round two.  Yo-yoing between weight classes has resulted in a mixed record for the last PRIDE champion in two weight classes.  If he wants 185, he’ll have to commit. ...

While chatting with Fighters.com’s ninth-ranked lightweight “KenFlo” Kenny Florian (9-3) Tuesday afternoon, he broached two myths that frustrate him and I.  Let’s quash them. Myth one: “I can beat Rich Franklin.” Or, whoever you have a delusional cage fantasy about.  I only say second-ranked middleweight “Ace” Rich Franklin (23-3) because I live in Greater Cincinnati and most often hear his name when I reveal I write about MMA; but, I’m sure, if you live in Vancouver, it’s Denis Kang (29-10-1) and, in Boston, it’s Florian. You can’t beat any of them, even if you saw them get thrashed by another elite fighter. Neither can your cousin who just got out of jail, nor your friend who just reached brown belt in BJJ. What is it about mixed martial arts, the most grueling and graceful athletic endeavor in organized sport, that makes couch potatoes think they can put down their Cheetos, brush the orange dust from their stained fingers, and compete at an elite level? No one watches baseball and thinks they can hit a 95 mph cut fastball 450 feet like Alex Rodriguez.  No one watches gymnastics and thinks they can roll out of bed into a triple axel.  (Well…no one watches gymnastics…) UFC fighters, as well as many mixed martial artists in other promotions, are elite athletes.  They’re experts in the fighting skills of many disciplines, but that’s just where it begins.  Their cardio and strength training is as regimented and diligently-followed as the top athletes in any other sport, perhaps more so. The fact is, even if you are as skilled in martial arts as a UFC fighter, there’s a genetic element that most of us just aren’t born with.  Just like many of us will never run a 4.4 forty or bench press 700 pounds, no matter how dedicated we are. It’s often a comment from someone who’s never trained or hasn’t trained since they were in high school wrestling and doesn’t realize they’re neither 18-years old, nor in any kind of athletic shape anymore. The only thing worse than saying, “I can beat Rich Franklin,” is saying, “I still think I can beat Rich Franklin,” a week after he picks you apart like a chicken carcass in front of 22,000 at the Centre Bell.  That’s not ignorant; that’s insane. Myth two: “Kenny Florian: Not Your Average Fighter.” Again, Florian or whoever in the sport can pack a coherent sentence with more than eight words is considered unique.  Often, it makes a headline in main stream media; but, I’ve seen it creep into MMA media too. Elite fighters are as intelligent as computer geeks.  Wait,that’s “J-Lau” Joe Lauzon (16-4).  Well, they’re as intelligent as people with master's degrees.  Well, that’s Rich Franklin.  OK, they’re as intelligent as lawyers.  Oops…that’s first-ranked heavyweight “Minotauro” Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (31-4-1) and "Hungarian Nightmare" Christian Wellisch (8-3).  As intelligent as Ph.D.s?  Yeah…that’s “The Snowman” Jeff Monson (24-7) and UFC fighter Terry Martin (16-4).  None of them are unique among fighters in their intellect, they're just a few names off the top of my head. I think the stereotype of the meathead fighter stems from a self-consciousness that prevents some people from allowing for a guy who can both kick their ass and outwit them in a debate on ontological empiricism.  It's a way some people protect their own egos by reducing fighters to cavemen, regardless of the truth. Now, of course there are meatheads in MMA; but, if you scan the top of the sport, most of the elite fighters are college-educated, artistically gifted, or intellectually interesting. Intelligence is not unique among mixed martial artists, just like ignorance isn't unique among those who're surprised to meet a fighter who isn't beating their chest. Notes from around MMA * Rich Franklin (23-3) turned down a fight versus ninth-ranked “Hollywood” Dan Henderson (22-7) that was offered while the UFC rushed to bolster their London fight card after seventh-ranked light heavyweight “Iceman” Chuck Liddell (21-5) was pulled from the main event with a pulled hamstring. * Despite Franklin’s agent Monte Cox’s assertions on MMAWeekly Radio, Franklin is not considering a career move to 205-pounds, but would consider a one-off in the heavier division “if it was an interesting match-up”.  But for an unlikely challenge of UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and first-ranked light heavyweight “Rampage” Quinton Jackson, what meaningful fight could lure Franklin into a one-off?  Maybe a rematch with “The Dragon” Lyoto Machida (12-0)?  That's interesting... * TUF 7 contestant Brandon Sene (2-0) was robbed on Wednesday night’s episode of the the UFC’s reality program.  Fighters.com scored both of the first two rounds 10-9 for Sene, who was more aggressive and intent on inflicting damage to his opponent, Dante Rivera (10-2).  BJJ player Rivera was able to take the fight to the mat, but managed few serious attempts to end the fight with a submission and was largely unable to avoid Sene’s striking from his back.  Fighters.com did score the final, sudden-death round 10-9 for Rivera; but, the fight should’ve never made it to sudden death. * The Tennessee House of Representatives will vote Tuesday on a bill to create a state athletic commission with the goal of attracting a UFC fight card and the $100 million in revenue that the big show’s events generate for local economies.  Now, which Tennessee native son might like to belt out a howl in a main event on the Mississippi? *  According to the Winnipeg Sun, “Road Warrior” Jonathan Goulet (22-9) and his girlfriend will put the $75,000 bonus he won for “Fight of the Night” versus Kuniyoshi Hironaka (11-5) at UFC 83 towards a down payment on a home.  Goulet hits the road to London 7 June to fight Paul Kelly (7-0). * UFC glove maker, Century, revealed to Fighters.com contributor Jason Wawro that the legend of Brock Lesnar’s (1-1) 4X-sized glove is a myth.  Despite rumors that Lesnar was the first MMA fighter to wear 4X gloves since “Techno Goliath” Hong Man Choi (1-1), a Century executive claimed, “I have the receipts right here and Brock Lesnar, Cheick Kongo, and Heath Herring all ordered 3X-sized gloves.” * When asked about the CBS deal to air EliteXC MMA events, Fox Sports president Ed Goren replied that his company hasn't struck a deal to air the sport because, "We don't need money that badly."  This from an executive of a company popular for such high-brow entertainment as When Animals Attack! and Celebrity Boxing featuring matches between Todd Bridges and Vanilla Ice and Paula Jones and Tonya Harding. ...

"I think I can beat Franklin.  I think I can beat Silva.  I’m not lacking for confidence," "The Serial Killer" Travis Lutter (9-5) told Fight Ticker's Pramit Mohapatra today. Saturday in Montréal Lutter was TKO'd on strikes by Fighters.com's second-ranked middleweight "Ace" Rich Franklin (23-3). In February 2007, Lutter tapped out amidst furious elbows launched by Fighters.com's first-ranked middleweight "Spider" Anderson Silva (21-4). Though Lutter oozes confidence, he lacks wins over those two elite 185-pounders. "I got caught," Lutter explains his loss to Franklin. After the fight, Franklin identified Lutter's conditioning as a weakness "Ace" aimed to exploit. "I don't think my conditioning is usually a reason that I lose," Lutter argued, but later explained, "I win in the first round against these guys, but I’m losing the war." Lutter also vented about "hate mail" he claims to have received, "Fans of this sport just suck.  The guy who is taking the time out of his day that lives in Kentucky to email me to tell me what a piece of shit I am.  You really have to question, what is his motivation?  How sad of an individual is that?" (In interest of full disclosure, the author of this article lives in Kentucky and thinks Lutter sucks.) Lutter back-tracked, "I’m not saying MMA fans.  I’m saying the people that are writing me this shit.  I think the average MMA fan rules." ...

With all that's been ballyhooed about what to do with Fighters.com's ichi-ban at 185-pounds, UFC Middleweight Champion "Spider" Anderson Silva (21-4), another quagmire has manifest in the dust of 83 for UFC matchmaker Joe Silva: What to do with Fighters.com's numero dos "Ace" Rich Franklin (23-3)? I'll fire my gun in salute of Anderson Silva.  How good is Silva?  He's so good, you can match the last two fighters he's obliterated in second-round stoppages in a UFC PPV main event. In fact, two years ago Franklin versus "Hollywood" Dan Henderson (22-7) would've been an MMA fan's wet dream to decide the top of the middleweight division.  I'd still buy the fight! Franklin himself admits, "Realistically, another fight with Anderson wouldn’t be that interesting for fans," after his two stoppages to "Spider".  And, though there's a ribbon of glory to be won for Franklin and Hendo', it's not the gold every fighter fights for. But, Hendo' has options at 205-pounds and a legit case for a Silva rematch down the line at middleweight. Franklin, it seems, only has a role as gate keeper to Silva.  Even that, though, only feels lukewarm. Franklin scored a UD over Fighters.com's fifth-ranked middleweight "Thunder" Yushin Okami (22-4); but, it's likely Okami is still going to get a shot at Silva due to lack of other viable options in the division. So, short of creating an intercontinental consolation prize for the-best-of-the-rest, Franklin, why let him whither on the vine when his only crime is not being able to beat the most dominant champion in the last two years? Send Franklin on a world tour; or, bring the world to Franklin.  Match Franklin versus the rest of the world's top middleweights outside of the UFC. UFC President Dana White has been burned twice by co-promotions. In 2003, he entered then UFC Light Heavyweight Champion "Iceman" Chuck Liddell (21-5) in PRIDE's 205-pound tournament with the intention to pair his champ against then PRIDE champ "The Axe Murderer" Wanderlei Silva (31-8-1) in the finale.  A top PRIDE contender you may have heard of, "Rampage" Quinton Jackson (28-6), foiled White's plot, TKOing Liddell in the tournament's second round. In 2006, White tried again.  He announced live at UFC 61 that Liddell and Silva would finally fight in the cage; but, PRIDE and Silva pulled out of the fight inexplicably. Since those incidents and with the growing dominance the UFC has gained over competing promotions, White has become increasingly isolationist. But, what bigger "f-you" to the competition than, "Our number two can beat your number one."  What more evidence would White need to convince the MMA universe that DREAM, EliteXC, Sengoku, Strikeforce, etc. are "the minor leagues"? The tragedy for Franklin, who's loyal to the UFC, is that there are good fights and plenty of glory outside of the Octagon. Yoshihiro Akiyama (10-1) of DREAM, "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler in ExliteXC (15-4), "Grabaka Hitman" Kazuo Misaki of Sengoku (19-8-2), "Twinkle Toes" Frank Trigg (16-6) in HDNet Fights, and "Mayhem" Jason Miller (20-5) of EliteXC are all on Fighters.com's top ten middleweight rankings, plus there are newly-crowned Strikeforce titlist Cung Le (6-0) and Icon champion Kala Kolohe Hose (6-1).  Finally, DREAm is holding a middleweight tournament featuring Denis Kang (29-9-1), Gegard Mousasi (20-2-1), and other tough fighters. Here's my game.  Franklin is a favorite to beat anyone on that list; but, so what?  He's a favorite to beat the rest of the middleweights in the UFC too.  So, the difference between Franklin fighting "The Serial Killer" Travis Lutter (9-5) and Franklin fighting EliteXC Middleweight Champion Lawler is hype, gold, and glory. That's what this business is about. Franklin fighting Lawler for the EliteXC title sells as a main event.  White could even convince EliteXC to do it in the Octagon; or, move-in on their network deal and put the fight on CBS for millions to see. He only risks his division's runner-up.  He gains a kind of second champion beneath the UFC banner. The same goes for Franklin versus the winner of DREAM's Grand Prix champion, Strikeforce Champ Le, or anyone I listed. It's a win-win for White, Franklin, and MMA fans. ...

Canada welcomed in the UFC Saturday night in Montréal; and, the UFC welcomed back in Canada as "Rush" Georges St. Pierre (16-2) avenged his loss to "The Terror" Matt Serra (9-5) by second-round TKO to capture sole possession of the UFC welterweight title before his countrymen and fellow Quebecois. Former UFC Middleweight Champion and Fighters.com's second-ranked 185-pounder "Ace" Rich Franklin (23-3) also found the land of maple leaf friendly in a second-round TKO of "The Serial Killer" Travis Lutter (9-5). TUF Champions "The Count" Michael Bisping (15-1) and Mac Danzig (18-4-1) debuted in new weight classes with stoppages. Les habitants "The Athlete" Jason MacDonald (20-9), "Dooms" Jason Day (17-5), and Jonathan Goulet (22-9) also had success for the home team, while "The Rock" Nathan Quarry (10-2), Demian Maia (7-0), "No Love" Rich Clementi (31-12-1), and Cain Velasquez (3-0) scored wins as visitors to the true north, strong and free. Though seven of the 11 duels on 83's lineup featured St. Pierre's fellow countrymen, this French-Canadian bon soirwas entirely the Quebecois phenom's. He entered the Octagon blazing a crimson gi with the strength of 22,000 at the Centre Bell. Serra had played a clever villain during the event's promotional tour, but had no quips for "Rush" as St. Pierre packed him into the mat upon stuffing Serra's initial shot. St. Pierre mauled "The Terror" with short, sharp elbows as Serra pedaled through guards, all passed by St. Pierre. Serra finally crawled up the cage to his feet. In the center of the cage, St. Pierre blasted Serra with a Superman punch, setting up a double-leg takedown near the end of round one. Serra, a mouse puffing beneath his right eye, emptied his tank about 90 seconds into round two as "Rush" tagged "The Terror" with five snapping jabs before planting him back onto the mat with a double-leg takedown. St. Pierre's G'n'P onslaught poured on, driving Serra into turtle guard. A series of unanswered rib-rattling knees persuaded referee Steve Mazzagatti to end the fight at 4:45. "I tired him out," explained the best 170-pound fighter in the world. Serra countered, "I ended up coming up short, no pun intended." Welterweights Goulet and Kuniyoshi Hironaka (11-5) both pocketed 75 grand for battling the "Fight of the Night" in the card's opening bout. Goulet got the worst of it in the punch-up's first round. Attempting to press his striking advantage, Goulet got tagged with a short Hironaka left hook. The Japanese fighter fell the Canadian and followed with a mix of fists and elbows to close the round. "He tried to finish me," Goulet admitted after the fight, "but he got too excited. I was careful because of my experience." The two fighters traded evenly to open the second before Hironaka was stunned with a punch that backed him to the cage. Goulet stalked with a flurry that dropped his opponent for a TKO at 2:07. In the co-main event, Franklin also rebounded from a lost first round in which Lutter took the former champ to the mat and worked his jiu-jitsu juju. Franklin was nearly tapped in an armbar before he countered in a nifty maneuver that rolled him into Lutter's full guard. Lutter had worn himself weary by the second round and got caught with head kick as he shot for single-leg takedown. Franklin hammered "The Serial Killer" and motioned for the referee to stand him up. "Ace" picked Lutter apart on their feet with a combination of slick boxing and knees until the referree stopped the fight at 3:01 Danzig predicted to Fighters.com that Mark Bocek (5-2) is susceptible to a knee and the debuting 155-pounder delivered three big knees to set Bocek up for a rear naked choke submission at 3:48 of the third round. "I paced myself, and I needed that; because, if I didn't pace myself I wouldn't have been able to do what I did in the last round," Danzig said. His fellow TUF Champion Bisping debuted at 185-pounds with a dominant TKO "W" over "Chainsaw" Charles McCarthy (10-5), who was unable to continue due to an arm injury after round one. "Charles couldn't get up," "The Count" expalined after the fight. Middleweight Quarry chased down a timid Kalib Starnes (8-3-1), who probably ran himself out of the UFC, for a unanimous decision. Middleweight MacDonald added $75,000 to his bank balance with a "(T)KO of the Night" versus Joe Doerksen (39-12) at 54 seconds of the second round. Middleweight Maia also earned 75 grand for "Submission of the Night", a triangle choke of "Short Fuse" Ed Herman (14-5) at 2:27 of round two. Middleweight Day made a successful UFC debut with a 3:58 TKO of "The Talent" Alan Belcher (12-5). Lightweight Clementi ruined Canadian "Hands of Stone" Sam Stout's (13-4-1) homecoming with a split decision victory. Finally, touted heavyweight Velasquez only spent 2:10 in his Octagon debut before TKOing Brad Morris (9-3). ...