Written by Nick Halili | DUB Magazine | June 23, 2009
Back in high school, did you ever look at that one teacher who was always on your back and just think, "Man, I'd love to knock that guy out!" Such a thought is always a bad idea, but it would be an especially ill-advised proposition if you were a math student at Oak Hills High School in Cincinnati a few years ago. It's pretty safe to say that Rich Franklin a.k.a. "The Baddest High-School Teacher on the Planet" would not be a wise choice for you to try out that sweet new move you learned in taekwondo class. Fast-forward just a few short years later, and this same former teacher who once taught algebra and trigonometry has emerged as one of the most well-known and accomplished fighters in the UFC today. Franklin has been the UFC Champ at middleweight (185 lbs.) and now is back at light-heavyweight (205 lbs.) where he started his career to fight the biggest and best that the division has to offer.
With a nickname like "Ace" (due to a resemblance to Jim "Ace Ventura" Carrey), this good-natured family man and born-again Christian seems an unlikely candidate to be a world-class fighter. However, his calm, cool exterior belies a competitive drive that already has him studying film with his coaches and preparing for his next fight in June against fellow superstar Wanderlei "The Axe Murderer" Silva at UFC 99. Rich took a quick break to speak to DUB Magazine:
DUB: How significant was that fight on the live season finale of the first Ultimate Fighter against Ken Shamrock?
Rich: It wasn't a month after that that things just BLEW...UP! Next thing you know, I have a little bit of trouble going to the mall or the grocery store. I'm not Brad Pitt-famous...but it's definitely made a difference in my life.
DUB: Describe how you feel when fans recognize you and approach you when you are out living your everyday life?
Rich: I've run into fans that I've met before who say, "Hey, I met you before at the MGM and you stopped and talked to me and my wife for 10 minutes and took the time out of your day and I really appreciate it." That holds a lot of value to me, but at the same time, there are days when you're in a hurry, and it's unfortunate.
DUB: Tell me about your upcoming fight against Wanderlei. What are your thoughts about him as an opponent and about the fact that the fight will be at a 195 lb. catchweight?
Rich: He's aggressive, he's a dangerous striker, and he's got a good clinch, heavy knees. He's definitely a tough opponent. I would rather have it at 205, but making 195 won't be nearly as difficult as making 185. We did that, I guess, because Wanderlei is making his way to 185 and he didn't want to fight at 205 anymore.
DUB: Describe your approach to preparing for your opponents.
Rich: You can look at one of my fights and it's pretty much the same stuff every time. I go out, I like to throw punches, and I like to knock people out. My gameplan stays the same; it's just slightly tweaked from opponent to opponent.
DUB: How do you feel about fighting in the light-heavyweight division again after many successful years as a middleweight?
Rich: I think I had a little bit of reservations...with perhaps, my opponents being a lot bigger than me or a lot stronger than me. But two fights in (one against Matt Hamill, the next against Dan Henderson), I didn't feel outmatched or out-strengthed in either one of those fights.
DUB: Who is your toughest competition at light-heavyweight?
Rich: I don't know. The cream-of-the-crop in that weight class seems to be Forrest Griffin, Rashad Evans, Quinton Jackson, Lyoto Machida. These are the names of the guys that are probably ahead of me as far as title shots go.
DUB: You've only lost to Anderson Silva, Lyoto Machida, and Dan Henderson in your entire career. Which of those guys do you want another shot at the most?
Rich: I had two shots at Anderson and I didn't beat him, so shame on me. I can sleep well at night knowing I at least tried, but came up short. Lyoto beat me fair and square. Dan, on the other hand, I feel like I won that fight. Lord willing, I hope the rematch comes back around for the two of us.
DUB: As a devout Christian, how do you reconcile your beliefs with your chosen profession as a fighter?
Rich: Honestly, I don't feel like I have to reconcile anything. I believe that God has put me in the position that I'm in to be a witness to him on a larger platform than I would've been as a teacher. What I do is my job, but there's no malice in my heart at all. Even though I'm a bit upset about my last fight, I don't hate Dan.
DUB: Explain the importance of this quote from Psalm 144 to you: "Blessed be the LORD my strength which teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight."
Rich: Having that Bible verse on my shorts is a subtle way for me to let people know that I'm a Christian. Perhaps someone's watching the fight and they say to themselves, "You know, I want to look that verse up." Then suddenly, you spark some curiosity in a person who was never before interested in the Bible.
DUB: Have you ever run into former students or teachers from your old school?
Rich: I ran into one of the guys that I taught with. He said to me, "It was so funny when you quit your job. I was thinking, 'he's messing up his retirement and everything else!' I guess you showed us!"
DUB: You acted in an action movie called "Cyborg Soldier" with Saved By the Bell's Kelly Kapowski (Tiffani-Amber Thiessen). Describe that experience?
Rich: I was telling all my buddies, "Yeah, there's a big make-out scene." They were like, "Man, you're so lucky!" I ended up telling them right before the movie came out, "Yeah, ok, so I was lyin'."
DUB: Do you have any plans to pursue a career in acting?
Rich: I'd be interested in more acting roles, but it's not something I want to do full-time. I'm at the point in my life that when I'm done fighting, I hope my next career is a bit more laid back.
DUB: When you aren't training or fighting, what hobbies do you have to help you unwind?
Rich: I like to play drums, and I study Portuguese as well. I was a teacher, so I guess it's kind of in my nature to want to learn. I'm like a big goofball. I like to do pranks and clown around. I'm real sarcastic with my humor. People don't get it oftentimes. Most fans might not really know that about me.
DUB: Do you have any final comments for your fans?
Rich: First, I'll always say thanks to God for blessing me for everything he's blessed me with. But I'll tell you what, I'd like to say thanks to the troops overseas.