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Friday, July 17, 2009
Rich Franklin in Las Vegas to discuss new UFC deal, UFC 103 slot still likely
Veteran UFC fighter Rich Franklin in currently in Las Vegas for a one-on-one meeting with UFC president Dana White to discuss a new deal with the organization, the Dayton Daily News has learned.
Franklin, a former UFC middleweight champion and West Chester Twp. resident, made the move to light heavyweight in 2008 and is 2-1 since then. The lone loss came to Dan Henderson via close split decision in January. (Most recently he scored a decision victory over Wanderlei Silva, though the fight took place at a catch-weight of 195 pounds).
Franklin (25-4) has one fight remaining on his current deal, and a new contract needs to be in place befor his next fight. A source close to the organization said that next fight will likely come at UFC 103, which takes place Sept. 19 in Dallas, possibly as a main event.
White recently confirmed a heavyweight bout between Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic (25-6-2) and Junior Dos Santos (8-1) is also slated for UFC 103. While the bout is arguably headline-worthy, a proven main-event draw such as Franklin could certainly bolster the card, which is the UFC’s first ever in Dallas.
No potential opponent has been determined for Franklin, but Luis Cane (10-1) is about the only top-level UFC light heavyweight who hasn’t recently fought or already been scheduled for a future bout. Additionally, Cane has done a few recent interviews in which he stated he’d welcome the bout.
Assuming a new deal is reached, it could be the final one of Franklin’s career. The 34-year-old isn’t sure when he’ll retire, but he said he wants to go out sooner rather than later.
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Hamilton High School football coach Chris Wells’ MMA career featured
While many professional mixed-martial-arts fighters make the sport a career, Chris Wells is more indicative of the typical pro fighter.
Not signed to one of the major organizations, the Hamilton High School assistant football coach and teacher is a weekend warrior who trains extensively but fights only occasionally.
Wells, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt who trains with Jorge Gurgel at his Middletown gym, is 8-2 over a decade-long career. Soon after his high school (all-state linebacker at Middletown High School) and college (Kent State and Thomas Moore College) football career, Wells took up MMA when the sport was still mysterious and far from mainstream.
Wells next fights July 25 at MMA Big Show’s event “Unstoppable” at Belterra Casino Resort & Spa in Indiana. In perhaps the biggest fight of his career, the 36-year-old takes on two-time UFC veteran Johnny Rees (10-2).
MMAjunkie.com recently featured Wells in our “Fight Path” feature, which focuses on fighters who have interesting stories about how they found the sport of MMA. Check it out:
Fight Path: From football to fighting, Chris Wells balancing MMA and teaching over 12-year career
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