Cung Le vs. Rich Franklin Likely for UFC on FUEL 6 in Macau


(Shattered nose: Who wore it best?)

As long as Cung Le is healthy enough to compete, the UFC will pair the middleweight striker against former champ Rich Franklin at UFC on FUEL 6, the promotion’s November 10th China debut at the CotaiArena in Macau. UFC president Dana White revealed the booking plan yesterday in Calgary. Both fighters are coming off of decision wins in recent fights, with Le shutting out Patrick Cote at UFC 148, and Franklin out-slugging Wanderlei Silva in the main event of UFC 147.

The Vietnamese-born Le came out of his last victory with a “pretty banged up [knee],” which is keeping him out of the gym for four-to-six weeks, but he’s expected to be ready by the November date. No word yet on if the fight would take place at middleweight or at a catchweight; Franklin hasn’t competed at 185 since April 2008.

Speaking of middleweights, Dana White also teased some “crazy shit” he’s planning for the middleweight division, which has some speculating about a 185-pound tournament. Those plans will be finalized and announced after the Hector Lombard vs. Tim Boetsch scrap this weekend at UFC 149, which will help solidify the UFC’s middleweight contender picture.


(Shattered nose: Who wore it best?)

As long as Cung Le is healthy enough to compete, the UFC will pair the middleweight striker against former champ Rich Franklin at UFC on FUEL 6, the promotion’s November 10th China debut at the CotaiArena in Macau. UFC president Dana White revealed the booking plan yesterday in Calgary. Both fighters are coming off of decision wins in recent fights, with Le shutting out Patrick Cote at UFC 148, and Franklin out-slugging Wanderlei Silva in the main event of UFC 147.

The Vietnamese-born Le came out of his last victory with a “pretty banged up [knee],” which is keeping him out of the gym for four-to-six weeks, but he’s expected to be ready by the November date. No word yet on if the fight would take place at middleweight or at a catchweight; Franklin hasn’t competed at 185 since April 2008.

Speaking of middleweights, Dana White also teased some “crazy shit” he’s planning for the middleweight division, which has some speculating about a 185-pound tournament. Those plans will be finalized and announced after the Hector Lombard vs. Tim Boetsch scrap this weekend at UFC 149, which will help solidify the UFC’s middleweight contender picture.