(We probably could’ve used a better picture. / Photo via Getty)
Here’s the latest in headlines you’d never expect: Former UFC champ Rich Franklin is apparently in talks with ONE FC to become its vice president. Rich Franklin reported the news this morning on his Facebook page, saying the following:
I have been in talks with ONE FC about taking a job with them. They offered me a position as VP. I will be heading to ONE FC headquarters in the next few weeks to work out the details. I met with Dana and Lorenzo at the end of last year and they gave me their blessing. I will keep you posted.
As MMA Junkie reported, Franklin still has a fight on his UFC contract and stated that he wanted to fulfill his obligations. Taking a desk job with another MMA promotion almost definitely means that his fighting days are done, however.
Franklin isn’t the first old-time UFC fighter to score a cushy job. The UFC made Chuck Liddell vice president of parties and shitty battery commercials business development and Matt Hughes was made czar of fighter conduct [Editor’s note: LOL]. The move to the desk comes at a good time for Franklin. He hasn’t fought in two years and, while he was capable of beating guys like Wanderlei Silva and Chuck Liddell, he was beaten decisively by the likes of Cung Le and Forrest Griffin.
The biggest question about Franklin’s potential move to ONE FC, however, is how it will impact his juice bar business.