I don't think this fight makes sense for either fighter as a catchweight bout at 195lbs, but I'm glad we're going to get to see it. After his second loss to Anderson Silva, the UFC asked Franklin to move up to 205lbs. But ever since they've treated him as a kind of supplement to their 185lb class, having him fight top 185lb contender Dan Henderson at 205lbs in what was essentially a title contention eliminator fight for two divisions -- Henderson at middle and Franklin at light heavy. Franklin lost that one so now he's once again gate keeping for the 185lb belt against former light heavyweight Wanderlei Silva who is expected to get a title shot against Anderson Silva with a win.

For Wanderlei's part, hasn't the man earned a come back fight after going 1-4 in his last five fights? I guess when you're making the big money, you've got to fight the tough guys.

I can understand why they do this. Franklin vs Silva is a perfect fight to headline a European UFC -- compelling but irrelevant, would be a decent 2nd fight on a mid-tier U.S. card.

And if Wanderlei can blitz Franklin the way he did Keith Jardine, they just might have themselves a very marketable fight for middleweight champ Anderson Silva. I have no doubt that Anderson would not coast through a fight with a former team mate turned enemy like Wanderlei. And Wanderlei won't give that option either.

If the fight were held at 205lbs it would make perfect sense for Franklin. In fact it would be a bit of a "get over" fight that could begin to establish him in the division. If he beats Silva the way he's battered so many middleweights, Rich Franklin will be on his way in the Light Heavyweight division.

Its a good thing that Anderson Silva won't fight Lyoto Machida even for the 205lb belt. Because if Anderson destroys Forrest Griffin, he could easily be a threat to anyone at 205lbs and would once again threaten to run Franklin out of another division.

Photo by Tracy Lee via Combatlifestyle.com