411 Fighter Profile: Kenny Florian
Posted by Wendell Mitchell on 08.07.2008
One of the most exciting fighters in the UFC, KenFlo is set to prove to Roger Huerta and the rest of the world why he should be considered the top Lightweight in the world.
Kenny Florian
Nickname: " KenFlo " Record: 9 - 3 Weight: 155 lbs Height: 5'10" Hometown: Westwood, Massachusetts Ranking 8th Association: Team Sityodtong Organizations: UFC(current), Combat Zone, Mass Destruction Accomplishments: All of his wins have come via knockout or submission, choked out Stan Stout, who at the time held the TKO Lighweight Championship (non-title bout)
Introduction
Kenny Florian is a star on the rise. Noted as one of the most cerebral athletes in the game, he continues to improve in every aspect, whether his striking, grappling, or even commentating, there are few men who bring as much to the table as Florian. One of the more exciting athletes in the octagon, he is a fan favorite because he ends fights. All nine of his wins thus far have come via submission or knockout and he feels confident his next opponent will become his tenth win and tenth finish.
Early Life
Born on March 26, 1976 in Westwood, Massachusetts, Florian took an early interest in the martial arts. His preference was jiu jitsu. As he grew older, he would add kicking to his repetoire, but instead of kicking opponents, he would kick soccer balls. Jiu jitsu took a backseat to his new passion for soccer that flourished through out high school and played at Boston College.
After graduating with Communications Degree in hand, Florian felt the call of his first love and rededicated himself to his jiu jitsu. Constantly in search of competition, he fought in every tournament he could gain entrance to at home and abroad - often competing in open weight contests to sate his desire to prove his skill.
Realizing that he could do this for a living, he quit his job as a senior financial project manager and in the interim, supplemented his income by administering seminars and selling his own instructional videos.
He would finally turn pro in 2003, just four months shy of his 27th birthday, and win his debut in impressive fashion. Surrounding himself with the best coaches he could find, Florian marched towards the goal most fighters have had at one time or another: winning a world championship.
MMA Career
Win, Jason Giroux, TKO(Strikes), 1, N/A Mass Destruction 10, Massachusetts, January 25, 2003
-Never hurts to make a good first impression. Win,Bobby McAndrews, Submission(Kimura), 1, 1:57 Mass Destruction 15, Boston, Massachusetts, February 21, 2004
-Just a reminder that even though he was focusing on becoming a better striker, KenFlo is still a submission guy at heart.
Loss, Drew Fickett, Decision(Split), 3, 5:00 Combat Zone 7: Gravel Pit, Revere, Massachusetts, July 10, 2004
-After his original opponent dropped out of the fight, Florian was asked if he would fight Fickett. Florian accepted, and after fifteen minutes, had to accept his first defeat in a very close, and some would say, controversial, split decision. Loss, Diego Sanchez, TKO(Strikes), 1, 2:49 UFC: Ultimate Fighter Finale, Las Vegas, Nevada, April 9, 2005
-Even in defeat, Florian looked so good, that he was approached by Dana White for the first Utlimate Fighter reality show, which ironically enough, was intially to be pitched to Fickett. Florian would reach the finals of the show only to lose to be battered by a relentless barrage of strikes courtesy of Diego Sanchez. diego sanchez
Win, Alex Karalexis TKO(Cut), 2, 2:52 UFC: Ultimate Fight Night, Las Vegas, Nevada, August 6, 2005
-The beginning of a three fight win streak that would net him the opportunity at the vacated Lightweight Title. Win, Kit Cope, Submission(Rear Naked Choke), 2, 0:37 UFC: Ultimate Fighter 2 Finale, Las Vegas, Nevada, November 5, 2005
-The first of many matches where we see his affinity for choking people out. Win, Sam Stout, Submission(Rear Naked Choke), 1, 1:46 UFC: Ultimate Fighter Finale 3, Las Vegas, Nevada, June 24, 2006 Loss, Sean Sherk, Decision(Unanimous), 5, 5:00, UFC Lightweight Championship UFC 64: Unstoppable, Las Vegas Nevada, October 14, 2006
-His first opportunity at the gold and he comes up just short against one of the premiere lightweights in the world. Win, Dokonjonosuke Mishima, Submission(Rear Naked Choke) 3, 3:57 UFC: Ultimate Fight Night 9, Las Vegas, Nevada, April 5, 2007
-Back on the winning track and back to choking people out. Win, Alvin Robinson, Submission(Strikes), 1, 4:30 UFC 73: Stacked, Sacramento, California, July 7, 2007
-Here he is beating a submission specialist at his own game. Full Fight Here. Win, Din Thomas, Submission(Rear Naked Choke), 1, 4:31 UFC: Fight Night 11, Las Vegas, Nevada, September 19, 2007 Full Fight Here. Win, Joe Lauzon, Submission(Punches and Elbows), 2, 3:38 UFC: Fight Night 13, Broomfield, Colorado, April 2, 2008 Full Fight Here.
Here are a couple of high light videos for your viewing pleasure.
Back in his BJJ days
The Future
As KenFlo's star continues to ascend, so does his level of competition. In mere days, he will go toe to toe with a man that has twice as many wins as him and is considered one of the best lightweights out there today. Roger Huerta has asserted his desire to teach Florian the meaning of true competition. There are implications that the victor of this match will become the number one contender to the title currently held by BJ Penn. Can Florian beat a man whose only lost came after a freak jaw dislocation? Or will Huerta dim the young man's glow? Tune in for UFC 87: Seek and Destroy, to learn the answer.
