Franklin vs Henderson (again) at UFC 103

I don’t get it.

The UFC announced that Rich Franklin will get a rematch against Dan Henderson at UFC 103.

…Why?

As you may recall, the two met at UFC 93 to determine who would get to coach Team USA against team UK in The Ultimate Fighter 9. Henderson got the split decision nod. The scoring was a bit odd, as two judges had it 29-28 Hendo while the third had Franklin winning all three rounds. I seem to recall the fight being close, but I can’t remember what I thought of the decision. I think I agreed that Hendo won the fight…

Here’s the thing: what’s the point? I mean, sure, it’s a rematch of a close fight featuring two popular guys, but what’s the upside here? If Franklin wins, then it’s 1-1 and, what, we get a third fight? If Hendo wins, it’s yet another big step back for the former champ.

There seems to be some hinting that the winner will get a shot at Anderson Silva.

Huh?

This would seem to imply that the fight will take place at middleweight. Why is Franklin coming back down? And if he wins, who in their right mind wants to see him fight Silva AGAIN? So that he can get destroyed again? I thought the whole point of Franklin moving back up to light heavyweight was to get away from Silva and improve his odds of getting a belt. So why return to middleweight?

I just don’t get it.

Is the middleweight division THAT pathetic that we need to see Silva-Henderson II or Silva-Franklin III?

…Guess so.

I think the UFC was really banking on Bisping beating Henderson and earning a title shot overseas. Now they’re scrambling.

As stupid as it sounds (since he's lost 5 out of 6 fights - mostly at light heavy), wouldn't Henderson-Wanderlei make more sense? At least those two have split previous meetings, there's bad blood between Wanderlei and Anderson (if he earns a title fight), and Wanderlei WANTS to be a middleweight... The UFC wants to see a Wanderlei-Anderson fight. Wouldn't this be a good way to earn it in the proper weight class?

Right now, Franklin is on a road to ruin. He should stay at light heavyweight and not look back.

Nothing else makes sense.