Tyson Griffin vs. Hermes Franca Expected for UFC 103

Two of the UFC's most battle-tested lightweights will collide at UFC 103 in September in Dallas, Texas, when Tyson Griffin (13-2, 6-2 UFC) will square off against Hermes Franca (19-7, 6-4 UFC) according to MMAWeekly.com:

A lightweight contest between former contender Hermes Franca and Xtreme Couture standout Tyson Griffin is expected to take place at UFC 103 in September.

Multiple sources informed MMAWeekly.com that both parties have agreed to the fight and bout agreements should be signed shortly.

Franca and Griffin share several common opponents, with both men suffering decision losses to Sean Sherk and Frankie Edgar, while the two both own decision victories over Marcus Aurelio as well.  Griffin has certainly been more active of late though, as by the time September rolls around, it will be nearly a year since Franca last saw action inside the Octagon.

Franca was scheduled to take on TUF wunderkind, Joe Lauzon at a Fight Night event last February in a highly anticipated bout that was enhanced by some rabid trash-talking between the two on various internet forums, but a leg injury forced  Franca out of the bout while his pupil, Jeremy Stephens stepped in only to be submitted by Lauzon.  The Brazilian has made it clear that he wants a crack at "J-Lau" eventually, but with Lauzon side-lined by a leg injury of his own, Franca will face perhaps a much tougher challenge in Tyson Griffin.

Xtreme Couture's Griffin is no stranger to Brazilian opponents, and particularly those who hold black belts in BJJ.  In eight career UFC fights, Griffin has fought four BJJ black belts (Gleison Tibau, Thiago Tavares, Marcus Aurelio, Rafael Dos Anjos), earning decision victories over each.  Franca will therefore be Griffin's 5th BJJ black belt opponent, but he brings a much different style to the table, with his eagerness to stay on the feet and throw his trademark looping, but heavy-handed hooks, thus posing some very different challenges for Griffin.

UFC 103 is expected to take place on September 19th in Dallas, Texas, but the event and a venue have not yet been officially announced by the UFC.  The American Airlines Center is the front-runner to host the card according to the latest buzz.

Other bouts expected for UFC 103 include:
- Josh Koscheck vs. Frank Trigg
- Efrain Escudero vs. Cole Miller
- Yushin Okami vs. TBA
- Aaron Simpson vs. TBA