The Miracle Kids Wish Network contacted Rich about letting a little 4 year old boy named Mikey come to visit him and watch him train for a day.  This meeting took place on April 11th.  When Mikey was born, he weighed only 4 1/2 lbs.  He was born with a congenital heart defect that combines four structural anomalies and also has something called Vater Syndrome.  Because of this, he was born without a left thumb and radius, he has a small kidney on the left side, and his heart condition is one of the most common heart defects associated with this syndrome.  Mikey is small for his age at 31 lbs. and 3 ft. 2 inches tall.  He has had 7 surgeries all together including two bowel surgeries before 4 mos. for a bacterial bowel infection and at 4 1/2 mos. he had open heart surgery to repair the defects he had.  He still has some surgeries ahead of him, but as long as he makes it through them he will live a normal life. Click the link below to see some pictures from their meeting. Those of us at the gym that day will never forget our fun with Mikey. He has a huge heart and the most amazing personality. He is a true fighter   http://www.richfranklin.com/photo.php?album=53

Click below for exclusive eBay auctions for “ONE OF A KIND” memorabilia from UFC 96. Proceeds benefit “Keep it in the Ring” Foundation.

Matt Hamill Exclusive Autographed Jerseys

Dana White, Rashad Evans + MANY MORE Exclusive Autographed Focus Mitt

I went to the Doctor yesterday to have my eye looked at.  Since my fight, I have had 3 opthamalogical eye exams.  Due to the scar tissue developing on my eye, my opthamalogist had to refer me to an ocular specialist.  First the specialist used numbing drops in my eye, followed by several lidocane injections in the eyeball socket.  I believe he gave me one injection in the eyeball as well.  A scalpel was used to cut the scar tissue growth from my eyeball.  I also have a scar band attaching itself to the corner of my eye where the eyelid meets the cheek. Another injection (some type of cortisone) was administered to the scar band to reduce the swelling.  Finally, the doctor cauterized the eyeball to stop the bleeding.

Although this sounds very painful, the worst part of the entire procedure was the first two injections of the series to numb the eye.  I felt a slight pinch, and all was smooth sailing from that point on.  However, it is very scary to watch a doctor stick a needle and a cauterizing gun in and on your eyeball.

-Rich

We have Rich’s limited edition brown/pink shorts for UFC 93 for sale. They are $69.00 with free shipping. We are starting with only 100 pair-sizes 30-38- so get your order in quickly.  Link is below picture.

http://www.americanfighter.com/fight-shorts.htm

Rich has made a video of himself making a protein shake so the fans can see how he makes one of his daily meals. Check it out!!  http://www.richfranklin.com/_vid/

I use a good protein powder for my shakes.  A shake will sometimes include Acai and fish oil. I use a greens supplement, and I make sure I drink plenty of water each day (sometimes up to 2 gallons).  I take a multi-vitamin and glucosamine condroitin for my joints.  I take special B-12 vitamins and occasionally B-complex.  At times I will use creatine.  Most importantly, I weigh all my food on a food scale.

Support The Heroes is a non-profit organization that provides assistance to wounded soldiers returning home from service and to their families. Rich Franklin and American Fighter are proud to be a part of this organization. Please visit http://www.supporttheheroes.org/

Rich Franklin and American Fighter have partnered with the Disabled American Veterans to create the “Real American Fighters” Program. Rich is an official National spokesperson and DAV ambassador for Disabled American Veterans.
“Our goal is to raise awareness of the bravery and money for the heroes that have served us to protect our freedom and fought the real fight. Their fighting allows us to be free to watch fighting in the octagon and they deserve our undying support. I ask all of the fans to support the “Real American Fighters” program- Rich Franklin

American Fighter will donate a portion of monies from the “Never accept defeat” shirt to the DAV and “Real American Fighters” program. Purchase your shirt and show that you, along with these heroes, will NEVER ACCEPT DEFEAT.

First Look Studios proudly announces the DVD release of CYBORG SOLDIER. In CYBORG SOLDIER, former UFC Middleweight Champion Rich Franklin stars as I.S.A.A.C., a genetically altered assassin determined to bring down the crooked military institution set to create ruthless killing machines. The DVD is in stores on October 7, 2008 at an SRP of $24.98.
I.S.A.A.C. (Intuitive Synthetic Autonomous Assault Commando) is the first prototype of a confidential “human weapon” program that genetically reconstructs humans to become deadly assassins. Searching for freedom and the truth about his military group, I.S.A.A.C. is on the run, taking Deputy Lindsay Reardon (Tiffani Thiessen, “Beverly Hills, 90210”) as a hostage. Their lives collide as they try to expose the secrets and lies of the corrupt organization. CYBORG SOLDIER is a highly charged explosive thrill ride that will leave your heart pounding.