Rich Franklin is highly regarded in the MMA community. He has held the UFC Middleweight Championship, put out fight of the night performances, knocked out Chuck Liddell with a broken arm, and the list goes on. He is respected by hardcore fans and casual fans alike.

After a knockout loss to Cung Le at the UFC on Fuel TV 6 event Rich has decided to take some time off.

“I haven’t decided how long of a break I am going to take”, Franklin said. “I hate training in the winter, so I figure summer sometime”.

Rich is one of those fighters who appears to use a loss to motivate himself. After his loss to Lyoto Machida Franklin went on an 8 fight win streak. Unsure of what’s next in the Octagon he did give his thoughts on the effect of a loss.

“It varies from fight to fight. I think a loss always lights a fire in me”, Rich stated. “I seem to do well after my losses”

In the meantime, Franklin has other things to keep him busy.

“I have always been passionate about nutrition, so I am currently looking at a Juice business concept”, Franklin said. “I still have my dealings with American Fighter, and there is always the entertainment side of things. These aspects of “business” will employ me when I am finished fighting, so I have to make sure I continue laying the ground work”.

In addition to fighting Rich has also appeared in films starring opposite Tiffani Amber Thiessen and Bruce Greenwood as antagonist in the movie Cyborg Soldier.

“Right now, I don’t have any active acting roles”, Franklin said. “I spent the last year basically training at home, in Singapore, fighting in Brazil as well as China. I haven’t really had the time for much more than fighting”.

Franklin has been inside the Octagon twice with current UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva and doesn’t see the champ losing his title anytime soon.

“I honestly believe Anderson will retire before anyone has the chance to take his crown. I would love to see the superfight with GSP”, Rich stated.

Having been in the fight game since before the UFC was “cool”, Franklin offered his advice for young fighters to make it in the business side of mixed martial arts today.

“I would say you need an agent before you sign any binding contract for an extended period of time”, Franklin said. “A fighter is not educated in the matters of legal documents. It is very complicated, and worth the money you pay to make sure someone is looking out for your best interest. Sometimes it takes winning a risky fight to be noticed. If you want to be great, you have to beat great people. That doesn’t happen playing it safe. A fighter needs to make sure they are taking a calculated risk”.

About his future Rich put it simply.

“After a little down time…a solid performance later this year!!!

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