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 figthers 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.
Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty ImagesFranklin'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 time 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 and the 6-1, 240-pound Velasquez punished him with knees to the body.
Kongo managed a takedown of his own in the third round before bloodying Velasquez with some accurate strikes. Velasquez escaped with another takedown, battering Kongo until the fight ended.
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).
"I feel good, I am satisfied with my performance," Filipovic said.
Al-Turk was poked in the eye and was trying to cover up when he was put away at 3:06 of the first round.
"I'm sorry," Filipovic said of the eye poke. "I didn't want it to be this way."
Also, Dan Hardy won a split decision against Marcus Davis in a welterweight bout.
UFC 99 FIGHT CARD
UFC 99: Complete Winners (Main Card)
* Rich Franklin def. Wanderlei Silva via unanimous decision.
* Cain Velasquez def. Cheick Kongo via unanimous decision.
* Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic def. Mustapha al Turk via TKO (punches) – Round 1.
* Mike Swick def. Ben Saunders via TKO (strikes) – Round 2.
* Spencer Fisher def. Caol Uno via unanimous decision.
* Dan Hardy def. Marcus Davis via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
UFC 99: Preliminary Card Winners (un-televised)
* Terry Etim def. Justin Buchholz via submission (D’arce) – Round 2.
* Denis Siver def. Dale Hartt via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1.
* Paul Taylor def. Peter Sobotta via unanimous decision.
* Paul Kelly def. Roli Delgado via unanimous decision.
* Stefan Struve def. Denis Stojnic via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2.
* John Hathaway def. Rick Story via unanimous decision.
Watch UFC 99: Franklin VS Silva fight event titled "The Comeback" HERE!!!
