Franklin leads UFC into another new market Saturday

His latest assignment comes Sept. 19, when he headlines the first UFC card in Dallas. Franklin meets Vitor Belfort in a 195-pound catch-weight bout at the American Airlines Center (pay-per-view, 10 p.m. $44.95).

Franklin helps put a friendly face on a sometimes-violent sport, but he said he’s just part of the team.

“I do feel like they kind of put me in that ambassador position, but I’m not the only athlete doing that,” he said. “And I don’t mind doing it at all.”

Franklin has headlined the UFC’s first shows in cities ranging from Atlanta to Cincinnati to Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Earlier this year, UFC president Dana White said there’s a reason Franklin plays such a prominent role in the expansion.

“There are so many stereotypes out there and misconceptions about the sport,” he said. “Rich is the perfect ambassador to change minds.”

Gurgel-Evangelista shifted to November

Jorge Gurgel is still scheduled to fight undefeated Billy Evangelista at the next “Strikeforce Challengers” event, but the West Chester resident will do so on a different date.

Gurgel initially expected the fight to take place on Oct. 25, but Strikeforce recently announced it’ll instead take place Nov. 6 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif. Gurgel’s fight headlines the Showtime broadcast.

Gurgel (13-5) could potentially earn a title shot if he beats the highly touted Evangelista (9-0).

“TUF 10” debuts on Wednesday

The 10th season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” the UFC’s long-running reality series, debuts at 10 p.m. Wednesday on Spike. And for the first time in a long time, the new season really is a must-watch for MMA fans.

Rather than unknown prospects, “TUF 10” is loaded with many notables, including former bare-knuckle brawler and EliteXC headliner Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson, former IFL champion Roy Nelson, four former NFL players, three ex-UFC fighters and others.

The show debuts after Spike’s broadcast of UFC Fight Night 19, which is headlined by Melvin Guillard (23-7-2) vs. Nate Diaz (10-4) live from Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City.

Dann Stupp is editor-in-chief of MMAjunkie.com, voted best media outlet in the 2008 World MMA Awards. For the latest mixed-martial-arts news, go to www.MMAjunkie.com.