Sports briefs

Franklin wins UFC fight in Germany

COLOGNE, Germany — Rich Franklin won a unanimous decision over Wanderlei Silva at UFC 99 on Saturday in the sport's first show in its newest territory.

Franklin (27-4), a former UFC middleweight champion, rebounded from a split-decision loss to Dan Henderson in January.

"After my last fight in Dublin, it was a disappointment going to a decision," Franklin said. "I didn't want to go to a decision again, but Wanderlei's way too strong of a fighter."

Silva (32-10-1), a former Pride titleholder and among MMA's most exciting fighters for most of the past decade, lost for the fifth time in his last six fights.

The fight, contested at catchweight of 195 pounds, got off to a cautious start, with almost nothing happening in the first minute. Silva just missed with a head kick midway through the round. Then he caught Franklin's kick and took him down by tripping the other leg.

Franklin's movement dictated the pace in the second round. Silva finally connected and wobbled Franklin, bullsrushing him at the fence. Franklin survived and the fight returned to the middle of the cage.

The two fighters traded attacks in the third round. Franklin kept moving for the most part, darting in to attack at times, while Silva mostly looked for the knockout. The Brazilian attacked Franklin at the fence in the final seconds but paid for it by being taken down.

In the co-main event, unbeaten heavyweight Cain Velasquez won a unanimous decision over Cheick Kongo. Velasquez (6-0) was staggered twice right from the start but took Kongo (24-5-1) down immediately.

There was more of the same in the second, Velasquez was rocked but took Kongo down and hurt him. When Kongo fought his way to his feet, he was taken down again.The card also featured the return of Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic, the internationally beloved kickboxing star who struggled in his first three UFC fights in 2007. Filipovic (25-6-2) knocked out England's Mostapha Al-Turk (6-5).

Also, Dan Hardy won a split decision against Marcus Davis in a welterweight bout.

U.S. to face short-handed Italian team

IRENE, South Africa — Italy faces defensive problems for its Confederations Cup opener against the United States on Monday, with injured captain Fabio Cannavaro almost certainly out and replacement Nicola Legrottaglie also in doubt.

Alessandro Gamberini, an inexperienced defender, most likely will team with Giorgio Chiellini in central defense against the U.S. in Pretoria.