Source: MMA Mania

Rich Franklin is returning to the middleweight division at UFC 148. Franklin hasn’t fought at middleweight since he lost his rematch with Anderson Silva in October of 2007 and subsequently left the division. He began taking catch weight and light heavyweight fights with little significance. Franklin was outsized and out muscled by bigger fighters even with wins over Chuck Liddell and Wanderlei Silva. But after his loss against Forrest Griffin, Franklin knew he did not belong in the light heavyweight division. This time around, Franklin is ready to return to the middleweight picture and make a run for his old title–even if it means running into Anderson Silva again. Franklin believes enough time has gone by that his run for the title would garner interest in a rematch. Franklin wants to retire at middleweight. His run begins on July 7 against Cung Le.