DaytonDailyNews.com

The Ultimate Fighting Championship will return to Ohio in 2008, but Rich Franklin, the region's most notable fighter, won't be on the fight card.

UFC 82 takes place March 1 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus. Unfortunately, it'll be the first UFC event in Ohio without Franklin on the fight card — though the UFC had every intention of booking him.

The 33-year-old former UFC middleweight champion was expected to earn co-main-event status in a bout against Travis Lutter, but a torn meniscus in Franklin's right knee will keep the University of Cincinnati graduate sidelined until May or June.

Franklin tore the same meniscus a few years ago in UFC competition, and he opted to seek medical attention when the knee recently began swelling. A doctor determined that floating particles from the first injury had caused swelling, and while examining the knee, he realized Franklin had suffered a similar tear.

"He's really disappointed," said J.T. Stewart, Franklin's publicity and business manager. "He loves fighting in front of the hometown fans.

"It wasn't a decision he made lightly. He had no choice."

Franklin will have surgery on the knee within the next two weeks in Las Vegas. The rehabilitation will keep him out of competition for approximately six months.

Franklin, a former high school math teacher, defeated then-champion Evan Tanner for the UFC's 185-pound title in June 2005. After two title defenses, he lost the belt to Anderson Silva in 2006.

Franklin owns a 22-3 career record, which includes a 9-2 mark in the UFC.

Although Franklin won't be part of UFC 82 — which features a main event between Silva and top contender Dan Henderson — some of his teammates will be. Dustin Hazelett and Jorge Gurgel are expected to compete on the event's nine-fight undercard.

Dann Stupp is editor-in-chief of MMAjunkie.com, a content partner site of Yahoo! Sports. Visit www.mmajunkie.com for the latest MMA news and rumors.

UFC 82 ticket info

Tickets for the March 1 UFC 82 pay-per-view event in Columbus go on sale at 10 a.m. Sunday. The $50 to $400 seats can be bought through Ticketmaster, UFC.com, the Nationwide Arena Box Office, or at (614) 431-3600.

The UFC's third visit to Ohio in less than a year will feature nine bouts, including an Anderson Silva-Dan Henderson title match.

UFC 82 will coincide with the Arnold Sports Festival, a three-day sports and fitness expo held annually in Columbus.