Prior to his first mixed martial arts bout in 1999, former UFC Middleweight Champion Rich “Ace” Franklin taught mathematics at the Oak Hills High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. Franklin never planned on fighting as a career, but discovered his natural ability for it and turned professional. He burst onto the MMA scene with 13 straight victories without a loss, including two in the UFC over Evan Tanner and Edwin Dewees, respectively, finishing both fighters by TKO.

After suffering the first setback of his professional career to future 205 lb. champion Lyoto Machida in Kobe, Japan, Franklin returned to the UFC in 2004 and won the UFC Middleweight Championship, defeating Evan Tanner once again, this time via strikes in the fourth round. It was the worst beating of Evan Tanner's career.

Franklin lost his title in grisly fashion to Muay Thai juggernaut Anderson Silva at UFC 64 in October of 2006. It proved to be a turning point not only for the two fighters, but for the division as a whole. After losing an equally lopsided rematch with “The Spider” in 2007, Franklin vacated the middleweight division in the hopes of becoming a title contender at 205 lbs.

Combining a large, athletic frame with pinpoint, powerful striking, a varied kicking and punching assault, and excellent submission defense, Franklin holds notable career victories over Jorge Rivera by armbar, Nathan Quarry by knockout, Yushin Okami, Matt Hamill, and Wanderlei Silva. A loyal and responsible employee, Franklin is the UFC's go-to man for catch-weight bouts and late replacements against high-profile fighters, as when he stepped in on short notice to knock out Chuck Liddell after Tito Ortiz withdrew from the bout, citing injury. He is one of the most popular fighters in the UFC and hopes to claim one more championship belt before he retires within the next several years.