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Franklin to move up in weight class for UFC 88
West Chester resident to face Cincinnati native Matt Hamill in a light heavyweight bout.
Friday, July 04, 2008
West Chester Twp. resident and former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin (22-3) will move up a weight class to fight fellow Cincinnati native Matt Hamill (4-1) at UFC 88.
The UFC hasn't yet officially announced the Sept. 6 fight, but Franklin's business manager, J.T. Stewart, confirmed that bout agreements have been signed.
Franklin, who lost his title and a subsequent rematch to Anderson Silva, has dominated the rest of the UFC's 185-pound division.
By Franklin's own admission, though, a third fight with Silva would be unlikely. However, he previously said the right opportunity could sway him to move up a weight class.
Franklin hasn't fought as a light heavyweight since he defeated MMA legend Ken Shamrock in 2005.
It was the UFC's first-ever nationally televised event on Spike TV, and Franklin knew a victory could make him an overnight star, which is exactly what happened.
He'll now take on Hamill, a Loveland High School graduate and three-time Division III national wrestling champion.
Hamill also appeared on the third season of the UFC's reality series.
Born deaf, the fan favorite is the subject of an upcoming movie about his career.
UFC 88, which takes place at Phillips Arena in Atlanta, features a main event between Chuck Liddell and Rashad Evans.
