Looks like Rich Franklin won't be returning to fight Travis Lutter at UFC 82:
According to J.T. Stewart, Franklin's publicity manager, the 33-year-old fighter recently experienced swelling of his knee -- the same knee in which he tore a meniscus "several years ago." His doctor determined that floating particles from the first injury had caused swelling, and while examining the knee, he realized Franklin had again suffered a similar tear.
Franklin expects to return to the octagon sometime in or around June, Stewart said.
Some extra time off may be what's most needed for Franklin. By June we could have a new middleweight champion, and Michael Bisping will probably be coming off one win and will be ready for a good pounding. Can't think of a better man for the job than Rich.
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