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[Sakara=Excitement]

Rich Franklin undergoes surgery this week, return undetermined | MMAjunkie.com

Rich Franklin goes under the knife this week to mend a slight tear in his abdominal wall and will need four to six weeks of recovery time.

"It's not real painful yet, but I'm having it taken care of prior to it becoming a major problem," the former UFC middleweight champion told MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) at a UFC 108 media dinner on New Year's Day.

Franklin, 35, said the injury arose in training camp for a January fight with Dan Henderson and grew steadily worse in subsequent camps for Wanderlei Silva and, most recently, Vitor Belfort at UFC 103.

But after a busy 2009 schedule as an unofficial utility headliner for the promotion, the Cincinnati native is happy to extend a period of physical and mental rest.

"I wanted to take some time off before the September fight, and I'd spoken to Dana (White) about it," he said. "Unfortunately, they kind of put themselves in a situation where they needed a headliner, and I was that guy."

Franklin lost to Belfort by TKO in the first round of the Dallas fight and subsequently asked to be taken off the short list until mid-2010.

"I had big fights, fights that were out of the country, main-eventing every time, and it works on you mentally," he said. "I haven't really had a significant break other than the time that I broke my hand (during a 2006 win over David Loiseau). I felt like I needed some time to mentally reset, physically reset, and so that was the plan."

Time has flown for the former champion since his decision, and though he has continued to train at a lower level, he hasn't yet felt the urge to jump into the cage.

"No, not yet," he said when asked about training. "(There's eventually) that morning where you're like fiending like an addict for something, like the sugar I ate at dinner that I shouldn't have been eating."

However, Franklin said his original request – a fight in April or May – is still a realistic idea.

"My head says May, and it seems to be right, and I've talked to the doctor about possible recovery time, and they're talking six to eight weeks," he said. "I think I would be able to make a May time frame."

Although not officially announced, the UFC is planning two cards for May – UFC 113 on May 1 in Montreal, Quebec, and UFC 114 in Las Vegas on May 29.

A rematch between light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua is expected for the Montreal event, and UFC president Dana White said a much-anticipated grudge match between "The Ultimate Fighter" season 10 coaches (and former champions) Rashad Evans and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson is also possible for the card.

"Montreal's a hop, skip, and a jump from Ohio, anyway – same time zone," said Franklin. "That wouldn't be bad. I just don't know if I'm on that card. I haven't spoken to the UFC about it."

[willpunisher]

crap i wanted to see rich vs thiago silva next.
ill settle for thiago silva vs forrest.

[TBEAR]

Originally Posted by willpunisher

crap i wanted to see rich vs thiago silva next.
ill settle for thiago silva vs forrest.

Yeah this sucks I like Rich

Rich's last three fights with Hendo, Wandy, and Vitor were all main events and except for Vitor were all great fights. Get well rich

[KevoOnTheRadio]

Hopefully we see him in the cage soon. Hope he comes back with a vengence and starts layin fools out again!

[ckauffman28]

hope he makes his mind up at mw or lhw cause these catchwieght fights do nothing for his career

[bottlerocks]

Originally Posted by ckauffman28

hope he makes his mind up at mw or lhw cause these catchwieght fights do nothing for his career

He's filling a need for the UFC, he's their go-to guy for moments where there isn't a solid main event candidate for a card. If anything that is cementing his longevity with the organization.

Rich is one of my favorite fighters but I doubt he'll ever make a real run for the LHW belt. I really don't think he'll fight Silva again, so unless Silva vacates he can't be the MW champ either.

Hope he heals quickly, he's one of the more unlucky guys when it comes to injuries.