Over the weekend, MMAjunkie.com, who I work for, reported that Franklin — a West Chester Twp. resident and former UFC middleweight champ — recently ventured to Las Vegas, replaced Ortiz for unknown reasons on the reality show, and will fight rival coach Chuck Liddell in a season-ending match at UFC 115 in June.
Other reputable outlets — including Sherdog.com and MMAWeekly.com — soon followed with independently confirmed reports of the plans. But hours later, UFC president Dana White took to Twitter and issued a denial, saying the organization instead is planning a Franklin vs. Couture fight. However, all the media outlets have since stood by their initial reports.
White isn’t really in the business of spreading misinformation, but he also closely guards secrets from the reality show. With the six-week delay between filming the show and its debut on Spike TV, news often leaks. And since the show is already growing a bit stale, White may be trying to throw the media and fans a curveball to generate even more interest in its March 31 debut.
Either way, Franklin (26-5) finds himself in a pivotal bout. The 40-year-old Liddell (21-7) — for years MMA’s biggest star — is coming out of retirement. Couture (18-10), meanwhile, is still going strong at 46 with back-to-back wins since a drop from heavyweight to light heavyweight. In a crowded 205-pound division, Franklin could be seen as a top contender with a win over either.
Huerta signs with Bellator Fighting
As Bellator Fighting Championships enters its sophomore season, the promotion announces today, March 15, one of its greatest accomplishments to date: The signing of former UFC fighter Roger Huerta.
Bellator officials make the official announcement in a press conference that streams at 3 p.m. at www.bellator.com.
Huerta (21-3-1), a fan favorite and the first UFC fighter featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, left the UFC in 2009 after a contract dispute. And unlike most MMA organizations, Bellator is one of the few that doesn’t rely on signing UFC castoffs to fill its roster. By signing one of the few UFC fighters who left the organization on his own terms, that philosophy is strengthened.
Bellator’s 12-week second season debuts April 8 and airs live on Thursday nights on FOX Sports Net affiliates.
Dann Stupp is editor-in-chief of MMAjunkie.com, voted best media outlet in the 2008 and 2009 World MMA Awards. For the latest mixed-martial-arts news, go to MMAjunkie.com.
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