Rich Franklin Mending After UFC 93 Loss

Posted Jan 20, 2009 12:28PM By Michael David Smith (RSS feed)

Filed Under: UFC

In the main event at UFC 93, Rich Franklin suffered a couple of ugly-looking injuries because of unintentional fouls from Dan Henderson: in the first round he got a gash on his forehead when he and Henderson butted heads, and in the third Henderson accidentally poked him in the eye.

Did You See That?

Rich Frankliln with an eye patch over his right eye after UFC 93.

Rich Franklin/American Fighter

Rich Frankliln with a bruised right eye after UFC 93.

Rich Franklin/American Fighter

Marion Kreiner of Austria takes 1st place during the FIS Snowboard World Championship Women's Parallel Giant Slalom on January 20, 2009 in Gangwon, Korea.

Agence Zoom, Getty Images

Russia's Lubov Iliushechkina and Nodari Maisuradze perform their pairs short program at the Hartwall Areena in Helsinki, on January 20, 2009, during the European Figure Skating Championships.

Lars Lewen #12 of Sweden leads through a turn in front of Xavier Kuhn #5 of France and Beni Hofer #20 of Switzerland during the Men's Ski Cross heats on day two of the Freestyle World Cup on January 19, 2009 at Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid, New York.

Tunisia's Mahmoud Gharbi shoots against Russia during the Men's World Handball Championship Croatia 2009 Group C match in Varazdin city January 19, 2009.

OBERHOF, GERMANY - JANUARY 11: Ole Einar Bjoerndalen of Norway skates during the Men mass start of the E.ON Ruhrgas IBU Biathlon World Cup on January 11, 2009 in Oberhof near Erfurt, Germany. (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ole Einar Bjoerndalen

Martin Rose, Getty Images

Arizona Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald (11) reaches the ball over the goal line for a touchdown as Carolina Panthers' Chris Harris (43) defends during the second quarter of an NFL divisional playoff football game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009.

Chuck Burton, AP

Pilots make an exhibition of Motocross Free Style in Rio Hato, some 120 km north of Panama City, on January 11, 2009. Motocross free style world champion, US Travis Pastrana, also participated in the show.

Elmer Martinez, AFP/Getty Images

San Jose Sharks forward Mike Grier hits the boards after he scored a goal during the second period of their NHL hockey game against the Calgary Flames in Calgary, Alberta, January 6, 2009.

Todd Korol, Reuters

But while Franklin is obviously going to need some time to recover, a message posted on his personal web site says he's going to be OK.

From RichFranklin.com:

After losing the decision to Dan Henderson, Rich has some healing to do. He had to get stitches in two spots on his head from the head butt, and stitches on his shin from one of his kicks. Everyone has been asking about his eye- from the eye poke at the end of the fight- and we are happy to say he doesn't need surgery. He does have a cut on the white part of his eye and a slight tear, but it doesn't require surgery.

The nightmare scenario for the UFC would have been if Franklin had said he couldn't keep going after the eye poke and the fight had been ruled a no contest. Who coaches against Michael Bisping on The Ultimate Fighter if that happens?

As it turned out, Franklin toughed it out for the end of the third round and lost a split decision.

UFC Photos

Eric Schafer from Wisconsin, USA, right, defeats Brazil's Antonio Mendes, center, in the Light Heavyweight bout in the Ultimate Fighting Championship event, in Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Martin Kampmann from Nevada, USA, left, lands a kick on Brazil's Alexandre Barros, right, in the Welterweight bout in the Ultimate Fighting Championship event, in Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Eric Schafer from Wisconsin, USA, foreground, reacts after defeating Brazil's Antonio Mendes, bottom center, in the Light Heavyweight bout in the Ultimate Fighting Championship event, in Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Jeremy Horn from Utah, USA, top, competes with Brazil's Rousimar Palhares, bottom, during the Middleweight bout in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, in Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Dennis Silver, left, from Germany fights against Nate Moher of Illinois, USA, during the Lightweight bout in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, in Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Mike Wehrs, MMA President & CEO (Photo: Business Wire)

BUSINESS WIRE

LAS VEGAS - JANUARY 10: UFC fighters CB Dolloway (L) and Ryan Bader arrive at the 26th annual Adult Video News Awards Show at the Mandalay Bay Events Center January 10, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** CB Dolloway;Ryan Bader

Getty Images

Recording artist Pink attends UFC 92, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008 at The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)

Wanderlei Silva begins to fall after a knock out punch by Quinton Jackson, right, during their UFC light heavyweight mixed martial art match Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008 at The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)

Quinton Jackson celebrates his first round KO over victory over Wanderlei Silva during their UFC light heavyweight mixed martial art match Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008 at The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

1-20-2009 @ 9:34PM

Scott said...

"The nightmare scenario for the UFC would have been if Franklin had said he couldn't keep going after the eye poke and the fight had been ruled a no contest."

I'm confused, because I heard the ref tell Franklin if he couldn't continue it would go to the judge's cards.

1-21-2009 @ 8:08PM

mijanae said...

that stuff is so nasty EEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

1-21-2009 @ 10:18PM

coolcat5 said...

i agree i hate her she is just ugly and not that cool sorry to say to those who like her

1-21-2009 @ 8:12PM

Tinkerbell said...

Talk about having your EYE on the prize...lol Seriously I wish Rich a speedy recovery!!!!

1-21-2009 @ 8:21PM

hooper0012 said...

that is so NASTY

C said...

WTF AOL??

I was eating a cookie when this showed up. Not cool.

1-21-2009 @ 8:38PM

T-Mac said...

To the idiot who posted about how the ufc is so bad for society. It is the biggest growing sport in the world. It almost eliminated boxer already and do you see how these guys train? Its very entertaining to watch and is a true competition to see who is the better athlete. America loves violence that will never change.

1-21-2009 @ 8:45PM

lisajoy21rx said...

can i say some of aol's main page stories are in poor taste. i don't want to see someone missing an eyeball when i sign on!!

1-21-2009 @ 11:01PM

Beautiful said...

TOTALLY CORRECT

1-21-2009 @ 8:46PM

adam said...

I know you are an idiot. You need to get your head out of your butt. The U.F.C., is the best sport ever. And yes America does like violence, but who are you to say what we can, and can't watch. What you need to do is stop talking about how the U.F.C. is bad and go get a life.

1-21-2009 @ 8:52PM

bmgsings said...

that's crazy...

1-21-2009 @ 8:53PM

SCOTT said...

I think you are totaly wrong in your though of the brutality of this sport. Yes I said sport, actualy it is a MIXED MARTIAL ART. It is a test of skill and stamina going back to the ancient asian martial arts, and also greko roman wrestling, as well as drawing from the pugilist skills . It is nowhere near being "As Low as Monster truck raceing". These guys are athletes, and their training regimes would be great for anyone to follow for diet and excercise. Sorry if my statement makes you mad, but closed minded oppinions are ruining this country.

1-21-2009 @ 8:55PM

Did you know that Rich Franklin was an educated school teacher, I believe he taught english.

1-21-2009 @ 9:11PM

UranusHole said...

MATH

1-21-2009 @ 11:38PM

Jenny said...

He was a high school english teacher. He taught at my school in Cincinnati, Oak Hills High School.

1-22-2009 @ 2:25AM

Thanks Jenny. That is cool you went to his school.

1-21-2009 @ 9:02PM

Honestly the UFC, and all the MMA organizations are way classier than any boxing organization. C'mon You dont see any MMA fighters biteing an apponents ear off, or threatening to eat his apponants children and ass rape them. Tyson ruined boxing past the point of repair, it has become a joke, almost like the WWE, wait it is worse than the WWE. These guys are TRUE athletes.

jakemica73 said...

Ouch! That looks like it hurt! I hope he doesn't go blind from the attack.

1-21-2009 @ 9:16PM

Thanks for the correction Uranushole, I though it wight have been math but wasnt poss. Thanks again.

1-21-2009 @ 11:23PM

Scott, thanks for being level headed. Most would have been an asses. I was just trying to help with the facts. I love MMA and believe it is a legitimate sport, all be it a combat sport or pansy competition.

| 1 | 2 | 3 | Most Recent | Next 20 Comments