Next up is a match with major implications for the future of the UFC middleweight division, as former champion Rich "Ace" Franklin takes on Edmonton's Jason "The Athlete" MacDonald.

Franklin, a strong, ferocious striker, has a 22-2 record. He beat Evan Tanner for the title at UFC 53 and held the belt for 16 months, but then lost a one-sided decision to Anderson Silva at UFC 64 in October, in which he suffered a broken nose. Word is Franklin was sick the week of the fight, but if that's true, he has never used it as an excuse.

MacDonald, meanwhile, has been upsetting UFC's plans since they signed him up. The 18-7 Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner first fought Ed Herman on Oct. 10, and submitted him in the first round, then beat Chris Leben with a beautifully applied modified guillotine at UFC 66. MacDonald has won six straight and is 18-3 since losing his first four pro fights.

Can Franklin rebound and get back into position for a title shot? Or will MacDonald vault up the ratings?

MacDonald paces in his corner while Franklin enters the octagon to the sounds of AC/DC's For Those About to Rock, We Salute You. Franklin gets a big ovation from the Ohio crowd. He's sporting a shiner under his right eye. Franklin circles around the octagon pointing up at the fans, and slaps hands with MacDonald as he passes by his opponent.

MacDonald gets a mixed response from the crowd for his introduction, but Franklin and his cornermen applaud. As expected, Franklin gets a huge response.

Herb Dean is the referee.

Round 1: MacDonald goes for a low kick, Franklin throws a right punch, and MacDonald shoots for a single leg. They work back to the corner before MacDonald lets go. Franklin connects with several big punches, but MacDonald manages to cover up and keep his wits. MacDonald shoots again and they work their way back to the fence. They stay in the clinch and shuffle for position. MacDonald has Franklin's hands tied up and throws the occasional knee. So far MacDonald is doing a good job tying up Franklin. Finally Franklin breaks free and they head back out to center. Franklin connects with a couple crosses. MacDonald goes for a low kick, but eats a right for his trouble. They clinch, MacDonald goes down, and Franklin unleashes a big flurry of lefts and rights. MacDonald manages to withstand the barrage though, goes for a single leg, and scores a takedown. Franklin manages to reverse position with 10 seconds left. Round 1 to Franklin, MacDonald has a cut over his left eye. MacDonald also lost round 1 to Leben before winning in the second, but of course, this is Rich Franklin we're talking about here.

Round 2: The crowd keeps booing Anderson Silva, who's done nothing to deserve it. MacDonald again shoots for a single leg and takes him down, but Franklin gets back up. MacDonald misses a punch and Franklin connects with a couple more nasty punches. MacDonald again goes for a takedown and they work back to the fence. They end up on the ground, with MacDonald on top. MacDonald nearly manages to isolate Franklin for an armbar, but Franklin manages to slip out, to the delight of the crowd, and gets on top with side control. Franklin gets into the mount and breaks in to a ground-and-pound flurry, but MacDonald covers up. Franklin gets into position again with a minute left and is letting MacDonald have it, but MacDonald manages to cover up and hold on. With 15 seconds left, Franklin thinks about going for a guillotine, but busts out another ferocious flurry of fists, and MacDonald barely manages to hold on until the round end. Dean sure didn't call an early stop to that one ... but the doctor does call it off after checking the Canadian's cuts. MacDonald has too much damage to his left eye. Give MacDonald credit for sticking it out until the round ended.  

Big win for Franklin. They bring Anderson Silva into the octagon, and the crowd boos again. Silva's interview, translates from Portugese, credits Franklin as a tremendous athlete and the crowd finally cheers him. Franklin then tells the crowd that UFC president Dana White told him his title shot will happen in Cincinnati. The crowd roars.