Rich Franklin hasn’t fought since being starched by Cung Le in the UFC’s debut in Macau, China, at UFC on FUEL TV 6. The champion has kept himself busy since then, of course, and he revealed last night on AXS TV that he wants more fight in the UFC and he’s done.
“You know, I lost my last fight, and that really kind of solidified my decision to make this my last fight coming up. I know that took me out of title contention and so for me to get back into the title hunt would be a couple years’ worth of work and I know that. I’m 39, I’ll be 40 next year and it’s getting to the point where it’s late in my life and it’s really too late to have that title run so I started questioning, what am I really fighting for, if I can’t make it to the title anymore? I know I’m not in title contention anymore and I realize that so, that’s how it is.”
It makes a ton of sense for him. Franklin won’t be near title contention without 3-4 wins in the UFC and he’s at the tail end of his career, not his peak. It’s been a great run for “Ace” and he’s a part of the UFC’s growth that doesn’t get nearly as much attention as it should. Franklin’s story as the fighting math teacher got a ton of early press for Zuffa and every career has to end at some point. Franklin against the winner of Rockhold/Philippou next year, or someone in the Top 10, makes an awful lot of sense.
What do you think fight fans? Do you want to see Franklin fight one more time or do you want him to just walk away now? Let us know below.
