Former UFC Middleweight Champion Rich Franklin has been cleared to start full training after recovering from nose surgery and will be able to fight at UFC 68 in March.

Here's a snip from RichFranklin.com:

Rich was cleared by the doctor this morning to start training full time again. He has also been told that if he is offered to fight on the March UFC card, he will be ready- as far as injury to his nose goes...and you can bet he will be mentally prepared as well. Thanks for all of the support since his last fight and keep checking back for updates as his training progresses for his next fight.

We don't need to remind you that the facial destruction was courtesy of current champ Anderson Silva at UFC 64.

This is great news, meaning that "Ace" can get back in the gym and make a big push in 2007 to reclaim his world title.

Franklin was already rumored to be on the UFC 68 fight card in Columbus, Ohio, against Mike Swick.

However, Mike Swick recently revealed that he will be in the Octagon that same night, but "as of yet," doesn't who he will be fighting.

We'll keep you posted.