"I'd be interested in taking any fight that they offered to me. Forrest and I, we're somewhat of friends, and I like him, I like hanging out with him, so of him and Machida I'd particularly want to try to avoid that one, but this is business. I've done it before. Chuck was a friend of mine, Matt was a friend of mine, I have a good professional relationship with pretty much everyone I've everybody I've ever fought both before and after the fight, so it wouldn't stop me from taking a fight with Forrest." - Rich Franklin http://www.bloodyelbow.com/
Machida and Franklin fought in Japan in 2003. Machida came away with a TKO win. Both fighters have changed a lot since then so a rematch would be interesting. This is the kind of fight (and to a lesser extent the rumoured bout vs. Rampage @ UFC 120) that Machida should be looking at--not an instant interim title shot vs. Evans. Machida looked like hell in his last fight and needs to get back on track. Plus it is the kind of meaningful fight that Franklin wants and has earned.
Dana owes Franklin a chance to get into title contention. He needs to let him fight his way up, enough with the catchweight shit and the gate keeper shit. Give him a shot to earn his way to a title shot.
