Rich Franklin

Rich ‘Ace’ Franklin – MMA Profile

Nicknamed “Ace” (due to having similar features to Jim Carrey), Rich Franklin lived a very different life before erupting into an MMA powerhouse of the Octagon. Trained as an educator with a bachelor’s degree in math, Franklin was a high school math teacher in Cincinnati. He initially learned how to fight by watching instructional videos. Today, he blends Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and boxing into a freestyle fighting technique that earned him the UFC middleweight championship title in 2005.

Pain In The Octagon

His road to victory didn’t come easy or without injury. A UFC 58 bout with David Loiseau resulted in Franklin’s left hand being broken. Though it was broken during the second round, he went on the defeat Loiseau after 5 excruciating rounds. During UFC 64, he fought Anderson Silva, an MMA veteran with a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Silva’s knee slammed into Franklin’s face, resulting in a nasal fracture that required surgery. Through it all, he has shown a sturdiness that many MMA fighters lack. It hasn’t gone unnoticed. Franklin was recently offered a 6-year contract with the UFC.

Something Different

There’s more to Franklin than meets the eye. He’s a formidable fighter with an impressive record of 24 wins, 3 losses, 1 no contest. He has trounced notable MMA competitors such as Ken Shamrock, Nate Quarry, and Matt Hamill. But, unlike the brazen personalities that often litter the MMA world, Franklin has a distinct spiritual side. As a born again Christian, he is deeply religious and displays Psalm 144:1 on most of his gear.

In a partnership with Jeff Adler, the president of American Fighter, Franklin developed an organization called the Keep It In The Ring Foundation. Through this organization, he spends much of his time counseling young people about the importance of character and making non-violent choices. It’s more than merely talk. He uses the concept of teamwork in competitive sports and the dedication of studying martial arts to teach kids essential life skills.

Even though Franklin lost his UFC middleweight title to Silva in 2005 (during the fight in which he sustained a nasal fracture), he continues to command the respect of fans and fighters. He is… something different.