Former UFC Middleweight champion Rich Franklin was in attendance at this weekend's Fight Tour event in Rockford, IL. At the event, Franklin spoke about his upcoming plans in the UFC. According to Franklin, he will be meeting with the UFC this week in order to set up his next fight. He's currently looking at late December for his return.

Franklin was scheduled to face Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 133 earlier this month, but when Nogueira dropped out due to injury, Franklin was left without an opponent and pulled from the card.

Since 2007, Franklin has been competing primarily at either Light Heavyweight or a 195 pound Catchweight. But the ex-champion at 185 had some interesting comments about moving between divisions:

I've always said 185 is my home. But they [the UFC] don't want me to be there, so it's 205.

Interesting to hear Franklin, always the company man, state that he is fighting outside of his preferred weight because that is what the company wants. And it makes sense from the UFC's perspective - Franklin's last five fights have all been sort of "attraction" fights against name opponents and former champions. Light Heavyweight is where you can find more of those name fighters, and provides more opportunities for Franklin. But at 2-3 in his last five fights, is what's best for the company also what's best for Franklin at this point?