| Kenny Florian | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Kenneth Alan Florian[1] (1976-05-26)May 26, 1976 (age 49) Westwood, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Other names | KenFlo |
| Residence | Los Angeles County, California |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Weight | 145 lb (66 kg; 10 st 5 lb) |
| Division | Middleweight (2005) Welterweight (2003–2005) Lightweight (2006–2010) Featherweight (2011–2012) |
| Reach | 74 in (188 cm) |
| Style | Brazilian jiu-jitsu |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Fighting out of | Brookline, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Team | Florian Martial Arts Center[2] Tristar Gym |
| Trainer | Keith Florian |
| Rank | 5th degree black belt inBrazilian jiu-jitsu under Roberto Maia |
| Years active | 2003–2012 (MMA) |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 20 |
| Wins | 14 |
| By knockout | 4 |
| By submission | 8 |
| By decision | 2 |
| Losses | 6 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 4 |
| Other information | |
| University | Boston College |
| Notable school | Dover-Sherborn High School |
| Website | Official UFC Profilehttp://www.kennyflorian.com/ |
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |
Kenneth Alan "Kenny" Florian (born May 26, 1976) is an American retiredmixed martial artist and commentator who formerly competed in theUltimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He formerly served as ananalyst forUFC on Fox from 2011 to 2018, provided color commentary forUFC Fight Night, and provides color commentary on therobot combat television seriesBattleBots. He is currently signed to theProfessional Fighters League (PFL) as a commentator.[3]
Florian has a background inBrazilian jiu-jitsu andMuay Thai. He is known for his cerebral approach to the sport based on his meticulous game plans. Florian is recognized for his tendency to finish his opponents, having earned stoppages in twelve of his fourteen career victories. He is also one of only two fighters in history to compete in four different weight classes in theUFC:Middleweight,Welterweight,Lightweight andFeatherweight, the other beingDiego Sanchez.
Florian defeatedChris Leben on theinaugural season ofThe Ultimate Fighterreality show, but succumbed in thefinale againstDiego Sanchez. He has competed on two occasions for theUFC Lightweight Championship and once for theUFC Featherweight Championship, but came up short againstSean Sherk,B.J. Penn, andJosé Aldo respectively. Recognized as one of the elite competitors during his tenures in theUltimate Fighting Championship, Florian is considered one of the best mixed martial artists never to have won aUFC Championship.[4][5][6][7][8]
Florian is one of six children born toPeruvian parents: Agustin, a thoracic surgeon, and Ines Florian; however, none of his grandparents are from Peru, his ancestry includes:Spanish,Italian,German,French andArmenian.[9] Florian was born inWestwood, Massachusetts, and grew up in neighboringDover, Massachusetts, where he was a standoutsoccer player for Dover-Sherborn Regional High School. He attendedBoston College where he played for the varsity soccer team (NCAA Division 1). He also holds dual citizenship in theUnited States andPeru.[10]
After college, his interests turned towards mixed martial arts and he earned a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu from Roberto Maia.[11] Florian worked as a translator, reworking financial documents into various foreign languages and planned on doing that for a few years before applying to law school. However, a near-death experience in Brazil inspired him to pursue his passion for mixed martial arts instead.[12]
Kenny is known for his elbow strikes, whichJoe Rogan describes as "razor sharp".[13]
Florian made his MMA debut in January 2003 at Mass Destruction 10, defeating Jason Giroux via TKO 3:23 into the first round.[citation needed] Florian made another appearance in the Mass Destruction Promotion at MD – 15 and scored a victory over Bobby McAndrews by submission (kimura). Following those victories, Kenny suffered his first loss toUFC regularDrew Fickett via decision at Combat Zone 7 – Gravel Pit on July 10, 2004. This is the fight that got Kenny on theUltimate Fighter asDana White was at the show scouting Fickett for the show but he was so impressed with Kenny that he offered him, not Fickett, the spot on the show.[citation needed]
Kenny went on to compete on the first season ofThe Ultimate Fighter as amiddleweight. He made it to the finals by beating Chris Leben via cut stoppage, before losing at the finale in the first round toDiego Sanchez due to strikes.[14]
Following his loss to Sanchez, Florian returned at the firstUFC Ultimate Fight Night to defeat fellowTUF 1 competitorAlex Karalexis by delivering a vicious cut across the nose with a right elbow. Karalexis was arguably winning the fight up until the cut. Florian famously danced and cheered immediately after the strike landed and the cut opened up.[15] Picking up momentum, Kenny went on to faceMuay Thai competitorKit Cope, winning with arear naked choke submission early in round 2. Florian earned a title shot after defeatingCanadian TKO Major League MMA Lightweight championSam Stout atThe Ultimate Fighter 3 Finale; Florian won in the first round byrear naked choke. This fight earned him aSubmission of the Night award.[16]
On October 14, 2006, Florian foughtSean Sherk for theUFCLightweight championship title atUFC 64: Unstoppable and lost via unanimous decision.[17] Sherk completely dominated the fight despite being cut severely by one of Florian's elbows.[18] The judges scored it 50–45 and 49–46 twice for Sherk. In doing so, Sherk became the new UFC lightweight champion.[18] This fight earned him aFight of the Night award.[19]
On April 5, 2007, atUFC Fight Night 9, Florian defeatedJapanese fighterDokonjonosuke Mishima via rear naked choke submission. Florian managed to break free of an excruciating knee-bar attempt made by Mishima late in the fight.[20] This fight earned him anotherFight of the Night award.[21]
On July 7, 2007, atUFC 73, he fought and defeated UFC newcomerAlvin Robinson via submission due to strikes in the first round.[22] Florian tripped Robinson to the mat before moving to side-control.[23] Florian then transitioned into mount before pounding away until Robinson tapped due to strikes.[23]
In his next fight, Florian managed to get another win via submission due to a rear naked choke againstDin Thomas atUFC Fight Night 11. Thomas injured his knee while attempting a takedown during the bout.[24] Thomas was originally slated to face off againstSpencer Fisher, but Fisher had to pull out due to astaph infection. Florian took his place.[25]
On April 2, 2008, Florian defeatedJoe Lauzon atUFC Fight Night 13 by TKO due to strikes from mount early in the second round to secure his spot among the UFC's top lightweight contenders.[26] The first round went back and forth as Kenny landed a vicious body kick and Lauzon looked for knee bars and heel hooks. Florian finished the round with some hard shots to Joe's head. Florian opened the 2nd round with a takedown and rained down punches on Lauzon from the mount position. Lauzon attempted another heel hook but Florian continued to strike which resulted in Herb Dean stopping the fight.[27] This fight earned him a $20,000Fight of the Night award.[28]
AtUFC 87 on August 9, 2008, Florian defeatedRoger Huerta by unanimous decision. By winning, Florian ended Huerta's 17-fight win streak.[29] All three judges scored the bout 30–27 for Florian.[30]
AtUFC 91 on November 15, 2008, Florian defeatedJoe Stevenson by rear naked choke submission in the first round.[31] Florian executed a takedown before mounting Stevenson and transitioning to a position to finish him with the choke.[32]
With the win Florian established himself as the #1 contender for the Lightweight Championship.[32] Florian said "I wantB.J.'s belt. B.J., you're one of the best fighters out there. I'm here to test myself. I think you're a great fighter, someone I look up to. I consider you a master. It's time to kill that master."[33] Florian faced off against Penn at theUFC 101 Main Event for the title. During the fight, Florian repeatedly pushed Penn against the fence and attempted to take him down but was never successful. During the 4th round Penn took him down and mounted him. Penn eventually took his back and locked up a rear naked choke, submitting Florian and defending his title. Florian was visibly crying as he left the octagon after his loss to Penn.
Florian foughtClay Guida on December 12, 2009, atUFC 107. During the second round, Florian caught Guida with a right hand on the chin that dropped Guida. He followed up with a short flurry and finished the fight viarear naked choke at 2:19.[34]
He has expressed interest in getting a rematch withDiego Sanchez. On an episode ofMMA Live (before the Penn loss) he said that his loss to Sanchez is the one he would most like to avenge. Sanchez has expressed similar interest as have many fans, though this looks to be unlikely as Sanchez has moved back to the Welterweight division.
Florian defeated formerPride Lightweight ChampionTakanori Gomi atUFC Fight Night 21 via rear naked choke in the third round. He won the first two rounds decisively with superior striking, utilizing multiple jabs. Florian eventually took Gomi down in the third round and submitted him shortly after. This fight earned him anotherSubmission of the Night award.[35]
Florian suffered a staph infection in his knee just weeks after his win over Gomi and was admitted to hospital for minor surgery.[36]
Florian facedGray Maynard on August 28, 2010, atUFC 118.[37] Dana White announced the winner of the fight would receive a shot at the UFC Lightweight Championship.[38] Although striking very well throughout the fight, he was taken down at will and lost via unanimous decision.
Florian was expected to faceEvan Dunham atUFC 126,[39] but the bout was then expected to headlineUFC Fight Night 23 on January 22, 2011.[40] However, Florian had to pull out of the bout due to knee injury on December 6, 2010.Melvin Guillard defeated Dunham as Kenny's replacement.[41]
On February 7, 2011, it was announced that Florian would be moving down tofeatherweight. He made his Featherweight debut with a unanimous decision victory overDiego Nunes on June 11, 2011, atUFC 131,[42] with the judges' scorecards being (29–28, 29–28, and 30–27).[43] Dana White said onMMA Live if Kenny wins this fight he'll most likely get a title shot. Florian was given the title shot againstJosé Aldo for theUFC Featherweight Championship on October 8, 2011, atUFC 136 and was defeated by unanimous decision.[44]
Following his loss to Aldo, his third loss in a championship fight, Florian initially contemplated retirement from active competition. But in an interview with The Boston Herald,[45] he stated that he still loved the sport tremendously, learning and competing. Kenny then went on to say that he would be making a return to the UFC's lightweight division, but would not fight for at least 6 months so that he can rebuild his body to compete in the higher weight class.
Florian has dealt with back problems throughout his career, but suffered a new injury in November 2011 while lifting weights. Having already planned to take six months off to build back to lightweight after losing a featherweight title shot in October 2011, Florian didn't expect the injury to be a major setback.
After the Aldo bout, Florian had been dealing with tingling and numbness down his right leg and hadn't been able to train. After meeting with an orthopedic doctor and a neurologist, both advised the 35-year-old to retire.[46] On May 31, 2012, Florian announced his retirement duringUltimate Fighter: Live Finale weigh-ins show.[47]
Florian co-hostedMMA Live, alongside Franklin McNeil and others, forESPN.com which is shown online and on TV on ESPN.[48] Florian contributed to the show with his MMA experience and perspective as a fighter. Florian now co-hosts "UFC Tonight" onFS1 withMichael Bisping, providing similar analysis and perspectives as he did on MMA Live. Florian was a guest writer for FIGHT!, an MMA magazine, in their April 2009 issue.
On April 19, 2008, Florian filled in forJoe Rogan as the color commentator forUFC 83[49] and again atUFC Fight Night 19.[50] On June 7, 2009, Kenny Florian would fill in forFrank Mir, whose wife gave birth two days later, as color commentator forWEC 41.[51] Florian also provided color commentary forWEC 49 and theTUF 11 Finale.[52] Florian also took Joe Rogan's place as commentator forUFC 134.[53]
Kenny Florian was briefly suspended byFox Sports on January 16, 2016, forplagiarism in his preview ofUFC Fight Night: Dillashaw vs. Cruz.[54] The offending article lifted significant portions from boxing analyst Lee Wylie's breakdown ofWillie Pep.[55]
In 2015, Florian was named as the color commentator forABC's revival of therobot combat seriesBattleBots, joined byFox Sports personalityChris Rose on play-by-play.[56] Florian continued his role on the revival's third season, which moved toScience Channel.[57]
In March 2021, Florian revealed that he had signed an exclusive deal with theProfessional Fighters League as a commentator.[3]
OnDr Phil, Florian, along with UFC PresidentDana White and former Light Heavyweight ChampionForrest Griffin, talked to two high school students who participated in classroom "MMA" fights, telling them of the dangers of fighting outside of a sanctioned organization and telling them they should be training in an MMA gym instead. Dr. Phil addressed him as "Kenny Florini".[58]
On June 10, 2010, Keith and Kenny received their second degree on their black belt from Roberto Maia. Kenny and his brother Keith own and operate Florian Martial Arts Center, a martial arts academy in Brookline, Massachusetts near Coolidge Corner, which teaches Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, wrestling and mixed martial arts. Instructors at the academy include Kenny Florian, Keith Florian, and Alex Lewis.
In a GQ interview,[59] actorJonah Hill credits Florian as helping him get comfortable enough to train jiu-jitsu.
Florian is fluent in Spanish.
| 20 matches | 14 wins | 6 losses |
| By knockout | 4 | 1 |
| By submission | 8 | 1 |
| By decision | 2 | 4 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 14–6 | José Aldo | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 136 | October 8, 2011 | 5 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, United States | For theUFC Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 14–5 | Diego Nunes | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 131 | June 11, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | Featherweight debut. |
| Loss | 13–5 | Gray Maynard | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 118 | August 28, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Boston, Massachusetts, United States | UFC Lightweight title eliminator. |
| Win | 13–4 | Takanori Gomi | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Gomi | March 31, 2010 | 3 | 2:52 | Charlotte, North Carolina, United States | Submission of the Night. |
| Win | 12–4 | Clay Guida | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC 107 | December 12, 2009 | 2 | 2:19 | Memphis, Tennessee, United States | |
| Loss | 11–4 | B.J. Penn | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC 101 | August 8, 2009 | 4 | 3:54 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | For theUFC Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 11–3 | Joe Stevenson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC 91 | November 15, 2008 | 1 | 4:03 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 10–3 | Roger Huerta | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 87 | August 9, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 9–3 | Joe Lauzon | TKO (punches and elbows) | UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Lauzon | April 2, 2008 | 2 | 3:28 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 8–3 | Din Thomas | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Thomas vs. Florian | September 19, 2007 | 1 | 4:31 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 7–3 | Alvin Robinson | TKO (submission to punches) | UFC 73 | July 7, 2007 | 1 | 4:30 | Sacramento, California, United States | |
| Win | 6–3 | Dokonjonosuke Mishima | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Stevenson vs. Guillard | April 5, 2007 | 3 | 3:57 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Loss | 5–3 | Sean Sherk | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 64 | October 14, 2006 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | For the vacantUFC Lightweight Championship. Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 5–2 | Sam Stout | Submission (rear-naked choke) | The Ultimate Fighter 3 Finale | June 24, 2006 | 1 | 1:46 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Lightweight debut. Submission of the Night. |
| Win | 4–2 | Kit Cope | Submission (rear-naked choke) | The Ultimate Fighter 2 Finale | November 5, 2005 | 2 | 0:37 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 3–2 | Alex Karalexis | TKO (doctor stoppage) | UFC Ultimate Fight Night | August 6, 2005 | 2 | 2:52 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Return to Welterweight. |
| Loss | 2–2 | Diego Sanchez | TKO (punches) | The Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale | April 9, 2005 | 1 | 2:49 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Middleweight debut. The Ultimate Fighter Season 1 Middleweight Tournament Final. |
| Loss | 2–1 | Drew Fickett | Decision (split) | Combat Zone 7: Gravel Pit | July 10, 2004 | 3 | 5:00 | Revere, Massachusetts, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Bobby McAndrews | Submission (kimura) | Mass Destruction 15 | February 21, 2004 | 1 | 1:57 | Boston, Massachusetts, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Jason Giroux | KO (punch) | Mass Destruction 10 | January 25, 2003 | 1 | 3:23 | Taunton, Massachusetts, United States |
{{cite web}}:Missing or empty|title= (help)[dead link]5 - Kenny Florian WSub2 (0:37) Kit Cope – November 5 – The Ultimate Fighter Season Two finale
