Rich Franklin’s Shoulder Surgery a Success, Expects Late Summer 2012 UFC Return

Former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin had successful shoulder surgery this week and he’s hopeful for a mid-2012 return to the Octagon.

According to a press release from Franklin’s business manager, J.T. Stewart, the Cincinnati native underwent surgery in his hometown on Wednesday and is already on the mend.

“I spoke with Rich, he’s feeling great and as soon as the doctor gives him the go-ahead, he’s ready to start training again,” said Stewart. “If everything goes as expected, UFC fans could see Rich Franklin back in the Octagon in late summer.”

Franklin was originally scheduled to meet Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in the co-main event of the UFC 133 card in Philadelphia in August, but a late injury forced the Brazilian off the card and Franklin soon fell by the wayside as well.

Originally, Franklin was rumored to come back in December as a part of UFC 140 to finally get the fight with Nogueira, but the shoulder injury forced him to the sidelines once it was deemed surgery would be required.

Now that the surgery is out of the way, Franklin will have to undergo several months of rehabilitation to get the shoulder back to 100-percent.

If everything goes well, Franklin should be back in the UFC in 2012. The former middleweight champion is also expected to do a rehab blog to keep fans up to date on his progress and return time, as he announced via his Twitter account yesterday.