UFC is definitely hoping to make a commercial impact with its annual Super Bowl show. UFC 127, this year’s Super Bowl card, just added another very intriguing matchup.
Joining the expected Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort and Jon Jones vs. Ryan Bader bouts is a light heavyweight fight between original “The Ultimate Fighter” winner Forrest Griffin and Rich Franklin. Both are coming off wins against veterans; Griffin defeated Ortiz last year, while Franklin most recently knocked out Chuck Liddell.
After Griffin withdrew from a scheduled bout with Antonio Rogerio Nogueira due to a shoulder injury, Franklin instantly jumped to the top of the potential opponents list. Also on the list was Jon Jones, who ultimately will be fighting fellow rising star Ryan Bader.
The show takes place February 5; news of the bout came via MMAFighting.
— Shane Carwin, meanwhile, confirmed that he is slated to fight at UFC 125 on New Year’s Day. No opponent has been revealed, but Roy Nelson is at least one of the names being rumored.