Randy Couture, fresh off his submission win over fellow hall of famer Mark Coleman may be heading back to the Octagon this June to take on former UFC middleweight champion
Rich Franklin, according to a source with knowledge of the discussions.
The fight is in the early planning stages, and Couture confirmed to Sherdog.com on Thursday that he has been broached about it. He said he had to contemplate committing to the bout due to prior commitments with his film acting career.
Franklin, after contesting his last two fights at a 195-pound catch-weight, will be looking to recharge his career in the deep 205-pound division where Couture recently returned after another run at heavyweight. The popular former teacher turned fighter has been up and down since relinquishing his title to
Anderson Silva in 2006, running up a 5-4 record, including a TKO loss to
Vitor Belfort in his last fight at UFC 103 in September.
Couture, who has been mentioned as a potential title contender by UFC boss Dana White after his latest win, is a perfect 2-0 since returning to the light heavyweight division, earning a close decision over
Brandon Vera to go with his stoppage of Coleman.
The fight would most likely be the co-main event of UFC 115 alongside the third installment of the ongoing
Chuck Liddell-
Tito Ortiz feud, which is scheduled for June 12 at Vancouver’s GM Place.
This article was updated at 6:04 p.m. ET with information from Couture.
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