Fights for Rich Franklin To Take When He Returns

After having his return to the Octagon delayed by an Antonio Rogerio Nogueira shoulder injury, Rich Franklin will now have to battle back from a shoulder problem of his own.

The 37-year-old Franklin, who had been scheduled to fight Nogueira in August, recently went under the knife to repair a torn labrum he suffered during training. In an interview with MMA Fighting, Franklin said he hopes to return to the cage by June 2012. 

Over recent years, injuries have been a significant problem for the former UFC middleweight champion, who also broke his arm in a bout against Chuck Liddell in June 2010. With setbacks eating away at what are likely his final years as a fighter, Franklin will likely be looking for intriguing fights with big-name opponents.

Based on the timetable for his return, here are a few fighters Franklin could be squaring off against when he steps into the Octagon in mid-2012.

Antonio Rogerio Nogueira

One obvious option for Rich Franklin's next opponent would be the fighter he was originally scheduled to meet before the injury bug decided to delay his return.

A bout between Franklin and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira is an intriguing one between two well-known and respected competitors in the twilight of their careers. Both fighters are extremely well-rounded and capable of putting on an entertaining fight no matter how this matchup would play out.

Nogueira is currently preparing for a bout with Tito Ortiz, but he should be ready to fight again by the time Franklin's shoulder is healed and ready to go.

Wanderlei Silva

After being knocked out by Chris Leben, Wanderlei Silva's UFC career could be in jeopardy in a fight against Cung Le. If the UFC decides to continue to employ Silva after that fight, a rematch with Rich Franklin could be an interesting one at either middleweight or light heavyweight.

Since being chased from the middleweight division by Anderson Silva, Franklin has dealt with a size disadvantage against most light heavyweights. A bout with Silva could give Franklin the option of competing in a more comfortable 195-pound catchweight contest.

At UFC 99, Franklin and Silva battled it out for three rounds and earned Fight of the Night honors. While neither fighter is the same as they were two years ago, they both remain entertaining  fan favorites. In fact, this sure-fire slug-fest would be an excellent way for both of these great fighters to end their careers.

Tito Ortiz

A fight with the resurgent Tito Ortiz could be the most likely scenario for Rich Franklin's return in 2012.

Despite the long tenures of both fighters with the UFC, the former champions have never had the chance to meet inside the cage. Due to their decline, neither fighter is really capable of carrying a major UFC pay-per-view card anymore, but this bout would certainly make for a nice co-main event.

They may have lost a step over recent years, but Franklin and Ortiz were both considered dominant champions at one time. Both competitors continue to leave everything in the cage when they fight, so this bout promises to bring excitement.

Sean Smith is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. Sean has also had his work featured on UFC.com, LowKick.com and TheMMACorner.com. For the latest insight and updates on everything MMA, you can follow Sean on Twitter @SeanSmithMMA.