Former UFC Middleweight Champion Rich Franklin has been confirmed as the new vice-president of leading Asian MMA promotion One Fighting Championship.
Boasting 90% of the market share in Asia, the Singapore based promotion is headed by owner and CEO Victor Cui. Officials yesterday confirmed a report from Yahoo Sports and revealed that Franklin will play a key role in fighter development and media duties in new territories, as the promotion continues what has so far been a rapid growth.
Franklin (29-7-1NC) last competed in November, 2012 where he lost to Cung Le via knockout at UFC on Fuel TV in Macau, China. ‘Ace’ made his UFC debut as an undefeated prospect in 2003 against the late Evan Tanner, who he would later beat for second time in 2005, but this time with Tanner’s UFC middleweight crown on the line. Franklin eventually lost the championship to Anderson Silva in 2006 after two successful defenses.
One FC presents One FC: Honor & Glory on May 30 in Singapore, headlined by the undefeated Ben Askren (12-0) making his promotion debut, the grappling expert and former Bellator Welterweight Champion takes on Bakhtiyar Abbasov (11-2).
