Who defeated Rich Franklin for the UFC middleweight title at UFC 64?

Anderson Silva defeated Rich Franklin for the UFC middleweight title at UFC 64.

The fight took place on October 14, 2006, in Las Vegas. Silva won by first-round TKO at 2:59, using Muay Thai clinch work and knees to overwhelm Franklin. The result made Silva the UFC middleweight champion and began one of the most dominant title reigns in UFC history.

Silva’s victory was especially notable because Franklin had already established himself as the division’s leading champion. Silva had entered the UFC with a reputation as a dangerous striker, highlighted by a quick knockout of Chris Leben, and the Franklin fight confirmed him as an elite championship threat.

The two met again at UFC 77 in 2007, where Silva retained the title with a second-round TKO. Silva ultimately held the middleweight championship for 2,457 days, defending it successfully 10 times before losing to Chris Weidman at UFC 162.