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MMAJunkie is reporting that former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin has decided to use his downtime to correct a slight tear in his abdomen. Franklin last fought at UFC 103 where he lost to Vitor Belfort in Dallas.

Franklin told the website that the injury first arose while preparing for his UFC 93 scrap against Dan Henderson last January and has lingered until now.

“It’s not real painful yet, but I’m having it taken care of prior to it becoming a major problem,” Franklin told MMAJunkie.

The former 185-pound king is hoping to make a return sometime in the spring, preferably the May 1st card if he can get cleared in time to put together a solid training camp.

UFC 113 is being rumored to take place in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on that date. The rumor mill has the re-match between light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua slated as the cards’ main event.