Rested Franklin ready  for UFC return in June

MMA legends set to clash when Rich Franklin and Chuck Liddell battle in main-event bout

Photos: UFC star trains for fight

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By Dann Stupp, Contributing Writer Updated 3:30 AM Friday, May 21, 2010

WEST CHESTER TWP. — More than anything, Rich Franklin needed a break.

The former Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight title-holder, who meets fellow legend Chuck Liddell next month in the main event of UFC 115, headlined three major shows in 2009 — two of them in new overseas markets — and had the battle scars (including a scratched cornea) to show for the busy schedule.

The West Chester Twp. resident was worn down mentally and physically, and the nagging injuries were taking a toll on his 35-year-old body. So, in the nine months since a loss to Vitor Belfort at UFC 103, he’s done something he can’t ever really remember doing before: He turned down a fight.

Actually, he turned down three of them.

“I just told them flat out, ‘I’m not doing it,’ ” said Franklin, who’s been a headliner or co-headliner in his past 11 UFC fights going back to 2005. “In fact, I really didn’t plan on fighting until maybe July or August this year.”

But in April, UFC President Dana White called him with the opportunity to fight Liddell, arguably the modern era’s most popular fighter and once the most dominant competitor in the sport. The pay-per-view headliner takes place June 12 at GM Place in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Even though Liddell (21-7) has lost four of his past five fights and comes out of a 14-month retirement for the bout, Franklin (26-5) jumped at the opportunity.

“At the end of the day, you’re fighting Chuck Liddell,” said Franklin, who’s wrapping up his prefight camp at the Jorge Gurgel MMA Academy. “It’s Chuck Liddell. ... Even though Chuck has taken a couple losses, people are going to remember it’s Chuck Liddell.

“A year from now, five years from now, whatever — it’s a win over Chuck Liddell. That’s what people are going to remember.”

While Liddell, 40, sometimes packed on the pounds between fights, he’s remained in solid shape in the past year. A spot on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” and a coaching stint on the “The Ultimate Fighter 11,” the UFC’s current reality series, saw to that.

Franklin has seen the results firsthand.

“I saw Chuck recently,” he said. “Chuck, to me, physically looks better than he has in his entire career. He looked like he was in the best shape I’ve ever seen him in, and so I honestly believe I’m going to get the best Chuck we’ve seen in some time.”

Of course, with a well-deserved break and time to heal, “You’ll also see the best Rich Franklin you’ve seen in years,” he said.

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