A light heavyweight battle between former UFC champions and fan favorites Randy Couture and Rich Franklin is being discussed as the main event for UFC 115, which is set to go down in Vancouver on June 12. Sherdog.com has the report.
Randy Couture, fresh off his submission win over fellow hall of famer Mark Coleman may be heading back to the Octagon this June to take on former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin, according to a source with knowledge of the discussions.
The fight is in the early planning stages, and Couture confirmed to Sherdog.com on Thursday that he has been broached about it.
Fresh off his dominating victory over Mark Coleman at UFC 109, "The Natural" is already in talks to determine his next opponent. If this fight ends up getting finalized, it's a nice job of matchmaking by Joe Silva and company.
These are just the type of fights that Couture has said he wants to partake in as his career winds down. Rich Franklin is a big name who will present Couture with serious challenges.
"Ace" was last seen in action at UFC 103 where he fell victim to a flurry of punches courtesy of Vitor Belfort that resulted in a first round TKO. Franklin's last two bouts have come at a catchweight of 195 lbs. as he has tried to make the transition from middleweight, where he was once champ, to light heavyweight.
UFC 115 could be the card of the "old guard" if Couture vs Franklin is indeed made official. Two other former champions are set to complete their trilogy in Vancouver when TUF 11 coaches Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell throwdown for the last time.
Keep it locked to SB Nation for more news on UFC 115 as it breaks.
2 comments
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Nice
This would be a great fight. Couture needs to stay in the spotlght as long as he can. Even though he seems to be getting better, he is just one major injury away from retiring to the world of MMA coach.
by Jason Dannelly on Feb 12, 2010 12:32 PM EST reply actions
Interesting
I suspect this will be a tough fight for Franklin, should he lose, Im not sure if he will continue fighting, it will be his second loss in a row, the first being Belfort. I know there will be a number of opponents for him to fight; but knowing that he had lost to Silva, Belfort and Couture won’t help him mentally
I like Randy Couture and would like him to fight the big names and feel he can win the LHW crown but to do so means he will have to face a number of world class strikers. He was hurt by Vera and Noguiera and Lesnar really did a number on him.
If the match up between Franklin and Couture is a stand up war than I give an edge to Franklin but should Randy stick to what he knows best; I see him coming away with a victory; with that being said Randy is always improving and I wonder if he is improving his stand up game is respects to Muay Thai and not just boxing
Time will tell; I would love to see him take on Anderson Silva and regardless who would win that fight; I think it would be exciting unless Silva walks through him like he did with Franklin and so many others
by UFCrocks on Feb 12, 2010 2:55 PM EST reply actions
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