Former UFC Champ Rich Franklin Announces Retirement
By FCF Staff
For some time, Rich Franklin said he intended to fight once more in the Octagon, but as his 41st birthday approaches, the former UFC champ has announced his retirement.
Franklin, who hasn’t fought since November, 2012 when he was KO’d by Cung Le, announced the news in an article he authored for “The Player’s Tribune“. In the piece, Franklin relayed that his body has slowed down, “and while ever so slightly, those fractions of a difference determine victory or defeat at the top level.”
The story, which features Franklin’s reflections on his career, concluded with:
So, where do I go from here? In my mind, the sky is the limit! I decided I didn’t want to announce “retirement”, rather, I am announcing that I have closed one chapter of my life and begun another. I am blessed to continue working in an industry I helped build. I will continue to do great things with ONE Championship.
Many years ago, I was just a guy chasing his dream. Today, I stand here humbled and appreciative of where that pursuit took me. God bless!
The legendary fighter retires from fighting having gone 29-7. Franklin made his pro debut back in 1999, and went on to win the UFC’s Middleweight Championship. In 2006, he lost the title to Anderson Silva, and after winning two more fights, was granted a rematch. Silva stopped him again.
The fan favorite defeated many big name fighters during his career, including Wanderlei Silva, Ken Shamrock, Chuck Liddell and Yushin Okami, among others.
Franklin will continue with his role as Vice President for ONE Championship.