UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort

Only one more week until the highly anticipated return of former champion, Vitor "The Phenom" Belfort. It has been four years since he has fought in the UFC, most recently fighting for Affliction Entertainment, an organization owned by Donald Trump. Belfort will fight September 19th, against Rich "Ace" Franklin, at UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort.

Both Belfort and Franklin have similar fighting styles, but what makes this fighting so appealing that it would headline the upcoming Pay-Per-View? One reason is the fight is a catchweight fight. Catchweight means both fighters are coming out of different weight classes and have agreed to fight at weight somewhere between the two. Belfort generally fights at 205 lbs. and Franklin fights at 185 lbs. This fight will take place at 195 lbs, and thus it is a catchweight fight. The second reason the fight is the headliner is because both are former champions. It is hard to become a UFC champion, but to have two former champions square off makes for a good fight. Another reason is that both fighters are popular in the MMA community. They both are marketable and the economic situation the country is in, it makes sense to schedule this fight. In order for the UFC to draw fans in for a fight, the main card has to have two high profiled competitors.

Franklin comes into the fight with a record of 27-4 and 1 no contest, and Belfort enters 18-8. UFC 103 should be an entertaining fight night and should showcase two skilled competitors for three rounds inside the octagon.

UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort
American Airlines Center
Dallas, TX
September 19, 2009
9 p.m. Pay-Per-View

image courtesy of the UFC.com