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UFC 103 teleconference: Screw titles, Franklin fights for the fans | read this item

UFC 103 teleconference: Screw titles, Franklin fights for the fans

September 10, 2009 � UFC Betting Staff � Jump to comments

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The title strap is what it’s all about in fighting, right? Not for everyone. Rich Franklin’s number goal is facing off against guys at 185, 195 and 205 that excite the fans. That’s why when the reaction was lukewarm to a proposed rematch against Dan Henderson next weekend in Dallas, Franklin had no problem with the opponent switch:

“Because of [fan reaction], if people don’t want to see it, even though I want to fight that fight [against Henderson] again, if people don’t want to see it, I’m not going to push for it. I believe this is a more exciting fight for the fans so we’ll give them what they want.”

Franklin is squaring off against a rejuvenated Vitor Belfort. But that does mean he’s cheated from an opportunity to avenge his UFC 93 loss to Henderson. Franklin said he doesn’t care. It’s clear he doesn’t think like most fighters. The same goes for striving for another title belt. Franklin was the UFC middleweight champ for 14 months from June of 2005 to October of 2006 until he lost to Anderson Silva at UFC 64. He tried to regain the title again at UFC 77 but was wiped out again. For that reason, he’s not sure he ever wants to make a run again at the 185 title. And that’s even if Silva loses it or moves out of the division:

“If Anderson were to lose the title at 185 and if I was to try to get there and regain the title, which would be much more difficult than me just coming in and doing that, in my mind I’d almost feel like I dodged a bullet. I wouldn’t want the fans to view it that way and I wouldn’t want to view it that way.”

Franklin (25-4, 12-3 UFC) wants to get on a winning streak and when the fans call for him to go for it again at 185 or try his hand at beating the 205 champ Lyoto Machida, he’ll do it (2:42 mark):

“It really doesn’t matter to me. If I can get back to a title run that’ll be a great Cinderella story before I retire.”

Franklin, 34, has only lost to Anderson Silva, Dan Henderson and Lyoto Machida over the course of his nine year career.

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