Able and ready: Kenny Florian UFC 91 interview exclusive with MMAmania.com
by Penny Buffington on Nov 12, 2008 12:32 PM EST
79 comments
Kenny Florian was widely regarded as the clear cut number one contender in the crowded 155-pound division following his win over Roger Huerta via unanimous decision at UFC 87: "Seek and Destroy" on August 9.
But his second chance at championship gold never came.
That’s because current lightweight champion, BJ Penn, will rematch welterweight kingpin Georges St. Pierre at UFC 94: "St. Pierre vs. Penn 2" at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 31, 2009, putting the division strap temporarily on ice.
Rather than sitting on the sidelines and waiting his turn, Florian decided to keep busy. And he isn’t taking fights with "slouches" or "cans" to ensure that he remains atop the title contender totem pole.
On the contrary, he accepted a very dangerous fight against Joe Stevenson at UFC 91: "Couture vs. Lesnar" at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on November 15. It’s a high profile bout between two fighters who have each missed out on winning the vacant division title.
"I will be fighting Joe Stevenson," Florian recently told MMAmania in an exclusive interview. "I’m really excited. Joe Stevenson is a phenomenal opponent -- very dangerous opponent -- one of the best in the world out there as a lightweight."
Indeed, Stevenson turned professional at the tender age of 16. Since that time he has racked up an impressive record (29-8), ensuring that he has the experience advantage over just about all of his opponents at just 26 years old.
And that includes Florian, who is older (32), but has nowhere near the amount of fights (10-3) as "Daddy." That’s a reality that is not lost on Boston area native. He views Stevenson as a worthy opponent who is standing between him and his ultimate career goal of one day being champion.
"He is in my way of advancing up the ladder even more," Florian said. "I want to fight the best guys. Joe Stevenson is not only a nice guy and a very experienced opponent, he is one of the best out there and I’m looking forward to the challenge. I know I’m going to have my hands full."
Florian knows that extreme dedication and a whole lot of hard work is the life of a fighter -- it’s also the recipe for success in a sport the demands it. Accordingly, he trains at his own gym in Brookline, Mass., Florian Martial Arts Center, which he owns with his brother, Keith. In addition, Florian trains at F-15 Training Center with Peter Welch his boxing coach. His Muay Thai and MMA Coach is Mark DellaGrotte.
"I couldn’t ask for a better training camp or better training over all," Florian said.
Training, fighting and running a gym keep Kenny more busy than he could imagine. But that’s not all. He is also a fixture as a panelist on ESPN.com’s hit weekly program, "MMA Live."
"I am actually on my way home from ESPN right now," Florian explained during our interview. "I was in Connecticut filming ‘MMA Live,’ which is a show we do every week on ESPN.com. It’s a great show. It’s great to have the World Wide Leader in Sports covering mixed martial arts the way that they have."
Perhaps it’s no coincidence that ESPN intends to devote extra coverage this weekend to UFC 91, providing live broadcasts from Las Vegas before, during and after the blockbuster pay-per-view (PPV) event. Florian, however, will be a little busy preparing for his showdown inside the Octagon this fight week and more than likely unable to contribute his witty brand of expert commentary on the ESPN set.
"I train six days a week, two times a day," he says about his preparation. "Whether I’m training for a fight or not I’m always training six days a week two times every single day. It’s not crazy all the time, but its consistent training all the time. I think that is the key for me to be able to improve and get better and to learn new things, also to consistently get better with your conditioning and technical skills. So there is no offseason for me."
Spoken like a true fighter. One who is not solely focused on his own wins and losses, but rather the growth of the sport and helping reach new fans.
"The fighting and training, I really do love the most," he said. "I also love teaching and analyzing fights. I’ve been really blessed, I think, in my life and in my career at this point. I feel like everything I do I truly enjoy, I’m truly passionate about, and it all revolves around mixed martial arts. Something that really moves me, every day I wake up with a smile on my face. I think it’s a gift any time you can love what you do for work. I truly consider it a gift."
A gift that we all get to watch him unwrap on November 15.
If you would like to hear the audio from this interview check out the homepage on KennyFlorian.com for "Kenny Previews his UFC 91 Fight Against Stevenson." Simply click the link.
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I think he keeps it standing and use his striking skills to pick Stevenson apart. There’s no need to go to the ground. His stand up is going to be the deciding factor in this fight and I believe the only way he takes Joe down is jumping on him after he knocks him down with a punch or kick.
by getrawbc on Nov 12, 2008 12:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
How about Joe taking Kenny down? Are you just asuming that he can’t?
by ViolentMike on Nov 12, 2008 2:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah right. Kenny isn’t really known for excellent takedown defense[even Huerta can bring him down], so i see no prob with Joe Daddy doin’ this.
by Syd[a.k.a. "The Negation"] on Nov 13, 2008 2:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
UD win for Florian,
i can’t see stevenson winning
why don’t we see a ufc kinda grand prix
stevenson/florian
huerta/n.diaz
edgar/griffin 2
maynard/sherk
winner fights bj even though florian has been waiting 4eva!
by mikeybear on Nov 12, 2008 2:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think Kenny is going back to “I finish fights” I see him submitting Joe in Round two. I think he will mix it and take Joe down avoid the guillotine and sub him.
Go Florian
by TKO on Nov 12, 2008 12:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Kenny won’t sub him, he’d rather use hellbows.
by Syd[a.k.a. "The Negation"] on Nov 13, 2008 2:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
weird write up (not knocking it, just used to adam and jesse and even james). Is this an exclusive? why is audio on his web site not mania? If I may, I like to watch video interviews like from that tool on that other web site (I can’t even think of the name of it right now). The indian guy who is a tool, but seems to get all the good interviews on tape.
I got kenny winning this fight by stoppage…either cut or submission!
by kevin on Nov 12, 2008 12:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
hey Kevin I sent u an add request over on myspace.
come check me out.
http://www.myspace.com/pennyjo20
my web page is:
by penny buffington on Nov 12, 2008 3:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
mmarated is the site, the guy is a douche
by kevin on Nov 12, 2008 12:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I actually like Ariel Helwani’s interviews (MMARated guy) and he’s a really nice guy to boot…definitely not a douche bag – he gets great coverage and puts a unique spin on his interviews. My two cents anyway…cheers.
by Seamus on Nov 12, 2008 3:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I love his interviews, especially the fact that I can watch them and not read them! I think he tries too hard (arianny interview is a good example) but it may just be because he was/is a loser! I really wish mania would do taped interviews! I got a camera and am ready to go here in cali!!
penny, is that you that requested to be my friend on myspace? thanks for not taking my dislike for this “interview” personally!
by kevin on Nov 12, 2008 3:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Kenny is the man in LW, and he is gonna take this fight with a brutal victory over Stevenson.
by J on Nov 12, 2008 12:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
i see this being a good fight with lots of blood, joe’s blood of course….. florian via HELLbows!
by allamerican on Nov 12, 2008 12:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
No way, Joe Daddy’s the greatest! Did you see how good of a fight he put up against BJ Penn at UFC 80? No way he can put up that good of a fight against BJ, and not beat Kenny! :)
by Joe Piervincenti on Nov 13, 2008 12:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
While I’m a fan of Florian and am picking him in this fight, the term “hellbows” is only surpassed in gayness by “swickotine” and “swicking-out.” Some of you guys should feel emasculated even using that term.
by chefdaddy on Nov 12, 2008 1:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
thank you chef, I’m trying to calm my ways in order to get moderated less, but I couldn’t agree with you more! ANYTHING named after you, that already has a name is 100% gay! what’s next, instead of nipple twisting, the “greg jackson twist?”
by kevin on Nov 12, 2008 1:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That’s nipple tweaking, hereby know as the Jackson Tweak.
Kenny, by decision. Unanimously.
by Faybio on Nov 12, 2008 1:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
good one bro, got any others? BJ like the knees how bout the "flying Bee Jeezes?
by kevin on Nov 12, 2008 1:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It’s the French Twist if GSP does it, the Sugar Buzz when Rashad Evans does it, and the Hard-ine when Keith does it.
by Pat on Nov 12, 2008 3:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
well i hate to break the news, but i feel just as masculine as before i said it there chefdaddy. just sayin, i think kenny’s plan is to cut him. i think we all know how he can do that…..
by allamerican on Nov 12, 2008 1:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yes we do allamerican…elbows and lots of them! They are elbows my friend, and chef is right, unless you’re in middle school and a brock lesner fan, they are elbows!
by kevin on Nov 12, 2008 1:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well Kevin, the next time Joe Silva calls you, you better hope and pray he’s not giving you a fight with Kenny Florian. BTW — Kill-Flo by bloody beatdown after numerous Hell-bows and Lesnar by F-5 TKO, so there.
by PW on Nov 12, 2008 1:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
huh? what the F*CK are you trying to say? you’re trying to be funny, but failed. If I were getting elbowed by florian, I would be very excited, it would mean I made it to the UFC. You’re missing chef’s point
by kevin on Nov 12, 2008 1:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I love Hell-Bows. I think it allows me to get over the gayest part about Kenny, “Ken-Flow”. And now that I know you guys hate it, I will take pleasure in knowing that everytime I write Hell-Bows you guys will be annoyed. :)
by BNF on Nov 12, 2008 2:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’ve got Florian winning this fight, he’ll use some solid hellbows on the ground to set up a viscious swickotine after swickingout with some solid gnp.
by O damn he got caught on Nov 12, 2008 2:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
BNF-every time you write that, I will now LMFAO. And O damn, I almost spontaneously combusted when I read that!
by chefdaddy on Nov 12, 2008 2:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i hate the term hellbows and swicking out and the rest of them, but if it annoys kevin go with it. j/k kev.
by roy on Nov 12, 2008 2:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
And the first sub victory lesnar gets should be called the BrockLock, or the Arm Brock
by O damn he got caught on Nov 12, 2008 2:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
lmao “brock lock”
this has turned into a great discussion!!
by kevin on Nov 12, 2008 2:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Kevin, I think BNF and O Damn got the point. It’s an amusing and totally not gay way to describe Kill-Flo’s elbow strikes. Nothing more.
by PW on Nov 12, 2008 2:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Chef and Kevin: couldn’t agree with you two more. I am laughing my fn a$$ off @ your 2 comments!!! I always fn hated that gay a$$ $hit!
by BOW on Nov 12, 2008 3:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Chef and Kevin: Could not agree more! Always hated that gay crap! Thanks for giving me a good laugh!!!
by BOW on Nov 12, 2008 3:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
no problem, we can call the guys who like these terms…
nope nothing funny, just gay!
by kevin on Nov 12, 2008 3:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Joe “J-Lo” Lauzon is by far the gayest nickname in MMA.
by Pat on Nov 12, 2008 3:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hmm, yea that takes the cake, “Cabbage” and “Batman” weren’t very good either; tho I do like watching Peligrino fight.
by O damn he got caught on Nov 12, 2008 3:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
hmm, I know i’ve heard worse in pride tho, someone help me out, who’s got the worst nickname in mma?
by O damn he got caught on Nov 12, 2008 3:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That has to go to obscure WEC undercard guy Logan “The Pink Pounder” Clark.
by PW on Nov 12, 2008 4:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
lol, gotta be joking, someone is seriously calling themselves “the pink pounder” ??
by O damn he got caught on Nov 12, 2008 4:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
No way! Really? “The pink pounder!” LMFO!
by BOW on Nov 12, 2008 4:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Kevin: you look @ the nfl lines yet? I love the over in the denv/atl game! Not that many stand out this week though. Told you to stay away from clv last week and just stick with the over. This year is as wild as last year, just never now what’s going to happen on any given sunday! I hit my last 6 parlays and 3 straight bets. Part of that or should I say most of that is luck. I don’t care what anyone says, to go on a winning streak in betting you def need luck on you side!
by BOW on Nov 12, 2008 5:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
good job bow, I went 9-3 for the week! I’m more worried about tonight, too early to look at sunday. I like
n.illinois
over
kent
under
by kevin on Nov 12, 2008 5:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This site typically has a lot of insightful and well thought out debate. However, using the word gay as a derogatory slur makes people sound like intolerant bigots. Join the 21st century. I know this will come across as me passing judgment from a soapbox, but I feel it has to be said.
by GregC on Nov 12, 2008 10:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
KS… you must be pissed cuz you’re the only stevenson fan so far…
by allamerican on Nov 12, 2008 1:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I hope Joe Daddy pops Kenny head off in that wicked guillotine choke of his.
by knee to the nads on Nov 12, 2008 1:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
if joe wins it’ll be by Dadcision
by O damn he got caught on Nov 12, 2008 2:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
geez…if i’d have known that i would get reamed out and called a LESNAR fan, on top of being told i’m in MIDDLE SCHOOL i would have never said the word “hellbows” but kevin, the dadytine attempt…wasnt even close to being funny. nice try though… really.
by allamerican on Nov 12, 2008 1:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
the hellblow he gave alex was the best.
by the still operator on Nov 12, 2008 2:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
this fight is going to be hella cool.
by the still operator on Nov 12, 2008 2:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Kenny will be smurfing joe daddy’s smurf all night and if he gets caught in a smurf he’ll smurf out right away, smurf to his feet and continue pumping the smurf into Joe daddy’s face
by O damn he got caught on Nov 12, 2008 2:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
There’s something unsettling about “pumping the smurt into Joe daddy’s face.” lol
by chefdaddy on Nov 12, 2008 3:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Note to self – Don’t read this at your desk. I LMBO mid meeting.
by Ty on Nov 12, 2008 2:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
That fn goes up, but none of my other $hit?! Whatever! I bet this gets posted 2
by BOW on Nov 12, 2008 3:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
or maybe joe will give kenny a hellbow like he did eves.
by the still operator on Nov 12, 2008 3:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
first of all I freaking hate KENNY Fluckin FLORIAN and I hope Joe knocks him out or taps him out. I used to really respect Florian because he did come out and finish fights. But then he fought the matador and pointed him to a decision. I don’t personally like that style of fighting but it does produce wins i.e. Machida. However machida comes out to do that and Kenny is a fucking liar cuz that bitch said that it was gonna be a brawl between him and huerta. He knew he couldn’t beat Roger and he got scared
by sp00ner1234 on Nov 12, 2008 3:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I want Joe to smash Kenny with some elbows than we can stop saying kenny has hellbows! The most gay $hit out there!
by BOW on Nov 12, 2008 3:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
YOU GUYS ALL NEED TO WIPE AWAY THE TEARS ABOUT THE HELLBOWS. HELLBOWS,HELLBOWS,HELLBOWS!!!!
by allamerican on Nov 12, 2008 4:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I need an MMAMANIA community call on this one. Couture or Lesnar.. whos got this one? Anyone putting money on it??
by BMO on Nov 12, 2008 4:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Curious to see if KenGo plans to run this whole fight like his last one or get in there and fight.
by E on Nov 12, 2008 4:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
we can call him Kenny(Kalib Machida)Florian
by knee to the nads on Nov 12, 2008 8:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It’s Kenny’s time. I think Daddy gets gnp’d here.
by jb on Nov 13, 2008 12:25 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
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