Former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin improved to 25-4 at UFC 99 with a three round decision victory over Wanderlei Silva Saturday at
the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany. The 195 – pound catch weight win was a needed rebound for Franklin after his last loss to Dan Henderson and raised a lot of questions about the future for 33 year-old Silva in the UFC. Franklin owned the first round with effective striking while staying relatively evasive. Silva put Franklin in trouble with a right hand in the second round that caused the former UFC champ to scramble to remain in the fight. The former Pride champion fearlessly pressed Franklin in the third while swinging away with power shots, although Franklin was able to pick his spots enough to take the win.

"I didn't want this one going to a decision,” said Franklin. “I tagged him a couple of times good in the first round, but Wanderlei is way too skilled of a fighter to go down from that. He's a true warrior, somebody I've looked up to even before I was fighting."

Cain Velasquez remained undefeated in the UFC with his sixth straight win at UFC 99, despite being knocked down twice to open the first two rounds. Velasquez’s decision win over Cheick Kongo put him one step closer to being regarded as the next top heavyweight contender. Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic returned to the UFC with an impressive first round TKO victory Mustapha al Turk. Al Turk’s vision was impeded by an accidental eye poke, however the bout continued and Filipovic capitalized with strikes on the misfortunate opportunity. Heavy talk was put into action when UFC welterweight Mike Swick mauled tough MMA opponent Ben Saunders. The impressive second round TKO likely put the electrifying Swick in line for a shot at UFC welterweight champion Geroges St. Pierre.

"I want to keep moving up," Swick said. "This is my 10th fight in the UFC. I'm 9-1. I want to fight for the title. I want to fight top guys. Matt Hughes, Georges St. Pierre, Thiago Alves; all of the great guys."

Spencer Fisher disposed of MMA vet Caol Uno in a 15 minute match that lacked any significant amount of action. A questionable decision left Marcus Davis with only the ability to argue the loss he suffered from the hands of Dan Hardy in Germany. Although close, Davis believed he had done enough to get the win, however the judges saw it differently when they awarded the hard fought victory to Hardy.

Click here to see the full fight results