Randy Couture vs. Rich Franklin Set, Questions About Tito Ortiz Linger

UFC president Dana White has just announced via his Twitter account that Hall of Famer Randy Couture will fight former middleweight champion Rich Franklin on a yet-to-be announced event.

“We are doing [Randy] Couture vs. [Rich] Franklin not Chuck [Liddell],” White wrote Saturday afternoon.

It’s possible the two could headline the hotly-rumored April 17 show the UFC is planning to pit against “Strikeforce: Nashville ,” however that is pure speculation based off FightersOnly ’s report earlier this morning.

The popular media outlet confirmed with sources close to the situation that Tito Ortiz would be forced out of his highly anticipated fight against Chuck Liddell, not because of an injury, but something that will “significantly impact his future as a fighter.”

The source also told FightersOnly that Franklin had agreed to step in against “The Iceman” to headline the last-minute April 17 event.

White briefly addressed the rumor on his Twitter stating, “Nothing happened to Tito. Tito and I are cool.”

Ortiz and Liddell just completed filming “The Ultimate Fighter 11″ and were rumored to meet at UFC 115 on June 12.  Based on White’s comments, that scrap still appears to be on, but you never know when it comes to the modern-day Don King.

Ortiz hinted at a possible issue on his Twitter a few weeks ago when the controversial wrestler posted the following messages:

"

“If things couldn’t get worse. They just did! [expletive]!!!! I want to thank all my fans for your support!”

“Thanks for all the support. Thinking that life couldn’t get any harder? It just did! Another challenge that god has given me! WOW..”

“Jenna [Jameson] and I are fine. I guess business is business.”

“Everybody will see it all!”

"

“The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” failed to elaborate as he normally does, so all was presumed to be well until today.

For now, all signs seem to be pointing at a Couture vs. Franklin light heavyweight bout going down around the same time Dan Henderson challenges Jake Shields for his Strikeforce middleweight title on CBS.

However, MMAWeekly.com has just published an article confirming FighterOnly’s report, saying Liddell/Franklin will headline UFC 115.

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