UFC light heavyweight, Rich Franklin, will be out of commission until mid-2012 due to a shoulder injury suffered in training according to fighters.com.

Franklin recently underwent surgery to repair damaged ligaments in his shoulder and although the surgery was successful, it will require a considerable recovery time. Franklin was originally set to fight Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 133 until injuries to both men scrapped the bout.

"I spoke with Rich, he's feeling great and as soon as the doctor gives him the go-ahead, he's ready to start training again. If everything goes as expected, UFC fans could see him back in the Octagon in late summer," J.T. Stewart, Franklin's manager, said.

Franklin's last bout was unanimous decision loss to Forrest Griffin at UFC 126, just one of his two bouts within the past two years. Franklin is also the UFC's former middleweight champion, defeating Evan Tanner at UFC 53 to earn the title. He would go on to make two successful title defenses before losing it to current champion, Anderson Silva, at UFC 64.

Franklin also holds notable victories over Chuck Liddell, Nate Quarry, Matt Hamill, Wanderlei Silva and Yushin Okami.