Rich Franklin rejected a fight with Alexander Gustafsson which would have kept him on UFC 133 card

Former UFC middleweight champion, Rich Franklin reportedly rejected a fight with top rated rising star, Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 133 early next month, explaining at the time he only wanted to fight the top names in the division and that he’d wait instead.
Speaking via MMAFighting.com, Dana explained:

“It’s not that we decided to take him off the (UFC 133) card, we were looking at other opponents and we had [one], but Rich didn’t want to take that fight. He said ‘You know what man, I’m at a stage in my career where I only want to fight the top of the heap, the top name guys.’ I don’t blame him. You know me, when we’re looking to make a new fight and we have people available and an opponent there, I expect that you should take that opponent, but I don’t disagree with Rich’s position on it. It was Gustafsson. He’s like ‘Listen man, I’ve been around forever, I’ve been a world champion, I’m switching the fight this soon, I want to fight one of the top guys.’ He wants to get back in position to take on some of the top competition in the UFC.”

Gustafsson has still found a bearth on the UFC 133 card and will be taking on light heavyweight contender, Matt Hamill after his original opponent, Vladimir Matyushenko withdrew from their fight due to injury. Stay tuned to MMABay for more build-up to this one as we get it.
By Michael Pepper.