Forrest Griffin vs. Rich Franklin Being Eyed for UFC 127

From MMAFighting.com:

A light heavyweight fight between former champions Rich Franklin and Forrest Griffin is in the works for the UFC's card on Super Bowl Saturday, Feb. 5, which tentatively has been labeled UFC 127.

Sources with knowledge of the planned bout told MMA Fighting that the fight has yet to be signed, but is the intended direction of the promotion. Additionally, sources have informed MMA Fighting's Mike Chiappetta the battle between the two former champions is expected for that event.

The bout will likely serve as the pay-per-view's co-main event under an anticipated middleweight title fight between champion Anderson Silva and Vitor Belfort. Light heavyweight contenders Jon Jones and Ryan Bader are also expected to fight on the card. The event has not yet been announced, but is expected to take place in Las Vegas.

It's obvious matchup, really. Both fighters are one bout removed from harsh losses -- Franklin against Vitor Belfort and Griffin against Anderson Silva -- and need a matchup from which they might jump toward title contention. In their most previous fights, neither Franklin's win over Chuck Liddell nor Griffin's win over Tito Ortiz did much to send them on a clear-cut contender's path; the winner of this bout will likely be one or two wins away from a title shot.

UFC 127 Rumored Card:

Anderson Silva (27-4) vs. Vitor Belfort (19-8)

Rich Franklin (28-5) vs. Forrest Griffin (17-6)

Jon Jones (11-1) vs. Ryan Bader (12-0)