Kaizen: Little improvements helping Kenny Florian get better every day
by Jesse Holland on Apr 1, 2010 12:19 PM EDT
Email
Print
Props: UFC.com
Quoteworthy:
"I'm real blessed to be able to fight for the UFC and have them keep giving me top level guys. That's what I'm in the sport for, to see how far I can take it and keep improving. Anything can happen out there but I just try to focus on what I can control and have fun and that's what I did. I wanted to open (Gomi) up and keep him guessing. He was really low and I didn't want to force anything out there, I just wanted it to flow and he got a little upright so I changed levels and took him down. I've been working a lot on my wrestling, especially the offensive side of it and it paid off. I still got a long way to go and a lot of things to work on but I know the plan's working, I'm getting better every day. 'Kaizen,' little improvements every day."
Former UFC lightweight number one contender Kenny Florian once again shows he's one of the sport's best lightweights with a dominating performance over PRIDE import and Japanese sensation Takanori Gomi at the UFC Fight Night 21 event from Charlotte back on March 31. "KenFlo" continues to refine his game and may have one more big fight prior to a potential third 155-pound title fight. Is Gray Maynard the only thing standing in his way?
57 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Yeah I saw a little GSP out there last night
At certain times.
Gomi’s strategy was horrible. But Kenny’s distant was near perfect.
"Fat boy on a diet, don't try it - I'll Jack your ass like a looter in a riot"
1st - B Real and now Big Country... ha ha ha... love it.
Gomi Gumball looked like crap. Ken looked sharp. Somebody tell Gumball that it is MMA and that he is allowed to alter his strategy during the course of a match.
Friends and lovers lie endlessly, caught in the web of duty. Only enemies speak the truth.
-Stephen King
i agree on all counts BZ and OJR
also, Keith Florian really needs to shut the fuck up, he ruins the TV production, i was close to watching it on mute. Gomi really did look terrible, like really what was he doing? Trying to load up one punch, thats not how you beat Florian. Gomi looked like he didn’t even train, after the fight when they announced the winner he had a look on his face like “maybe i should have trained harder for this fight” or “not underestimated my opponent”. Idk just my opinion
by Blunt n' Beer on Apr 1, 2010 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
LOL...Keith yelled for a head kick for half of that fight.
The takedown Kenny had was very much GSPesque and that jab was thanks to training at Tristar for sure. His change in camps has really taken him to the next level and really given him a strong stand up game and improved his wrestling. I know Goldie said it over and over but Kenny really is a true student of the fight game.
"To me, MMA is like a ballet, except there's no music, no choreography and the dancers hit each other."
by Buster Bluth on Apr 1, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
If they have a maynard/kenflo #1 contender match and kenny comes through...
I would be ok with a BJ rematch.
The world is a dangerous place to live - not because of the people who are evil but because of the people who don't do anything about it. - Albert Einstein
Agreed
I would also be okay with Maynard fighting BJ if he were to beat Kenny. Kenny is a beast. I think BJ needs to fight a welterweight contender next if he beats Frankie Edgar.
Kenny’s skill set doesn’t match up quite as well against elite wrestlers. I would definitely like to see him fight Maynard, and a rematch with Sherk would be interesting as well, although Sherk has degraded since their first scrap. I was hoping we’d see a Sanchez rematch too, but Diego’s back to 170 so that’s out.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Apr 1, 2010 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Kinda funny you mention mute...
I dvr’d the fights because I worked late. I get home and my wife wants to talk, so I put the Pearson fight on mute. I loved it. Did it for Tibau and Nelson KO’s too.
I had to put the volume on to hear Keith Florian though. (jk)
The world is a dangerous place to live - not because of the people who are evil but because of the people who don't do anything about it. - Albert Einstein
Give me sheet if you want to
Keith doesn’t bother me at all. I like hearing the corner shout out.
I was hoping Kenny listened to Faras and use the elbows more.. .stand, pivot, slice
“your gonna dice him up kenny.. and thats all your going to do.. dice him x 5”
I was waiting for it….
"Fat boy on a diet, don't try it - I'll Jack your ass like a looter in a riot"
1st - B Real and now Big Country... ha ha ha... love it.
Kenny didn't wan to get that close. The big right hand in the first scared Kenny back to the jab.
The world is a dangerous place to live - not because of the people who are evil but because of the people who don't do anything about it. - Albert Einstein
He actually did throw that elbow that Firas was talking about...
…it didn’t land though cause Gomi pulled back in time but he got up close to throw it at least once that I noticed. Those elbows are better served when you have a guy pressed up against the cage cause then they can’t move back.
"To me, MMA is like a ballet, except there's no music, no choreography and the dancers hit each other."
don't get me wrong BZ, i love corner shouting and instructions too, for some reason i always like Serra's corner instruction lol
its just something about Keith’s voice maybe? lol idk it just seems to annoy me and a lot of other people lol
by Blunt n' Beer on Apr 1, 2010 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Alpha... buddy.. where the hell you been?
similar voice, I like Serra too. He is a great coach
"Fat boy on a diet, don't try it - I'll Jack your ass like a looter in a riot"
1st - B Real and now Big Country... ha ha ha... love it.
Keith sounds almost frantic when shouting instructions
Matt at least seems under control. Maybe it’s because Kenny’s his brother, but I wonder if Keith can even talk the day after Kenny fights. And both guys like to repeat the same message 1000 times. With Keith is the high kick, with Serra it’s to just breathe . . .
LOL
so true…
Serra loves to remind his guys to breath.
"Fat boy on a diet, don't try it - I'll Jack your ass like a looter in a riot"
1st - B Real and now Big Country... ha ha ha... love it.
"You've been here a hundred times before!"
"90 percent of the game is half mental"
"Im the oldest I’ve ever been, right now" – Words of Wisdom by Tim Sylvia
Mirko Filipovic: The guys that are always trying to impress girls by saying 'Hey, I bought a new Ferrari or I bought a new ship.' I will take her to my room and she'll see 10 guns. 15 revolvers.
Filipovic's Manager: And a small dick!
He shrieks like a jilted woman.
"Cowards die many times before their deaths,
The valiant never taste of death but once."
Julius Caesar (II, ii, 32-37)
by Jeremyjackson on Apr 1, 2010 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions
boring fight in a way but yeah way to go florian
they should match up gomi with gray maynard next just to see if he still has it and to see maynard just fight a more caliber guy or used to be or maybe just the most overated guy in MMA
*distance
"Fat boy on a diet, don't try it - I'll Jack your ass like a looter in a riot"
1st - B Real and now Big Country... ha ha ha... love it.
Let me talk my shit....let me talk my shit...
Gomi “totally” outclassed against the #2 lightweight in the world.Kenny used Gomi for a fricken sparring partner in the first 2 rounds and took him down and totally raped him in the 3rd.I said that Gomi was outmatched and that he was gona get finished and what the hell happened.Unlike some of you girls who were blinded by your dorm room fantasies of Gomi in your “full guard” ripping you a new one..i was thinkn from a logical perspective.To much to soon for Gomi no suprise over here…but wheres “dia mette”.lol
i know your not replying to me...
i called Kenny UD from the beginning. Almost right.
"Fat boy on a diet, don't try it - I'll Jack your ass like a looter in a riot"
1st - B Real and now Big Country... ha ha ha... love it.
you were exactly right Z
Utter Domination
Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm-Flailing Tube Man
by PSYQO78 on Apr 1, 2010 1:18 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
nice
The world is a dangerous place to live - not because of the people who are evil but because of the people who don't do anything about it. - Albert Einstein
Look at the recap and awards posts
He’s on there, and he admits that he was totally wrong about Gomi.
I am too..I thought that Gomi would ko’d Florini or tko’d him at the very least.. I was expecting way more than his performance.
It actually really made me realize how good sexyama is. So far the japanese fighters who have crossed over have all had less then incredible performances.
It’s got to be the wrestling base here in the west. Cardio Cardio Cardio & go as low as you can go, Too me its not a obvious work ethic over there. Gomi has also never had a fight with a loud audience (guessing) add the cage factor plus toss in the new elbows.
It wasnt hard to predict
"Fat boy on a diet, don't try it - I'll Jack your ass like a looter in a riot"
1st - B Real and now Big Country... ha ha ha... love it.
I was hoping for at least a bit of a challenge..
I had Kenny from the getgo, but I was hoping for an exciting match. Instead we got a one-sided Florian Clinic. It was almost hard to watch and I was somewhat embarrased for Gomi. Here is a guy , who was widely considered one of the greatest mma fighters not even 2 years ago, and he did not even mount any kind of defense and there sure is hell no reason to talk about what little offense he had in that bout. What did he land one good right the whole fight? It was sad and makes me wonder how he will fair against any of the top 10 in the UFC between the wrestling and all the 155’ers expanding their boxing/striking because of BJ’s level of striking.
"90 percent of the game is half mental"
"Im the oldest I’ve ever been, right now" – Words of Wisdom by Tim Sylvia
Mirko Filipovic: The guys that are always trying to impress girls by saying 'Hey, I bought a new Ferrari or I bought a new ship.' I will take her to my room and she'll see 10 guns. 15 revolvers.
Filipovic's Manager: And a small dick!
Kennys brother sounds like a banshee!
I cud barley hear Joe & Goldie with his loud ass screaming in the background =D
by d*locc on Apr 1, 2010 12:29 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
fuckin eh d*locc
i almost muted my TV, Kieth Florian is so annoying its ridiculous, somebody really needs to tell this guy to STFU, it was like Kenny was listening to him anyways. He was calling for high kicks when Gomi switched stances, which Kenny didn’t do. And Kieth was looking for shots to the body which Kenny also didnt do. So basically he needs to quiet down in the corner.
by Blunt n' Beer on Apr 1, 2010 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I think it's his annoying ass women voice =D
Cuz I can put up with mark Coleman screaming in sum1’s corner =D it’s just funny 2 me.
by d*locc on Apr 1, 2010 12:52 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Yeah, I agree. His constant wailing is grating. By the way, I did mute my TV!
Friends and lovers lie endlessly, caught in the web of duty. Only enemies speak the truth.
-Stephen King
There is no way a rematch with BJ will play out any different. Florians game hasn’t changed, its only sharper. BJ need to go to WW
The real GSP....
by GSPatton on Apr 1, 2010 2:27 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
see
I’d hate to see another BJ fight wasted on Kenflo.
by justbleed9999 on Apr 1, 2010 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
already posted this on other section
I think kenny beats bj at the end of the year show as long as he stays active (fights in august) and keeps training with gsp. hate all you want but he dominated gomi and didn’t let his emotions try and turn it into a slug fest which could have resulted into him getting ktfo.
you can say bj this and bj that but eventually someone will have his number and it is going to be the man with the 2nd worst nickname in the ufc (first goes to joe lauzon with jlo).
Where does he beat BJ?
Stand up? No! I can’t even remember the last time anyone hit BJ and hurt him outside of GSP.
is it in BJJ? NO!
Can he even take BJ down? Probably, no? Only GSP has taken BJ down at will and GSP takes everyone down at will!
Kenflo’s best chance is getting in BJ’s guard and maybe winning by a cut from an elbow. If he can get through the rubber guard and actually hold BJ down long enough to cut him.
I agree someone has to have his number at somepoint, but it is not anyone in the current UFC top10.
"90 percent of the game is half mental"
"Im the oldest I’ve ever been, right now" – Words of Wisdom by Tim Sylvia
Mirko Filipovic: The guys that are always trying to impress girls by saying 'Hey, I bought a new Ferrari or I bought a new ship.' I will take her to my room and she'll see 10 guns. 15 revolvers.
Filipovic's Manager: And a small dick!
Kenny Still Hasnt Shown Me His Evolution
Other then his jab which is more of bad defense on Gomi’s part Kenny still looks like Kenny to me
I still think that..
Penn, Sherk, Maynard, Soutoriopolus, and Edgar would own this guy. Hell even Tyson Griffin..
Greasy St.Pierre, the last Outsider.
Anderson Silva reign= reaping the benefits of a very weak UFC MW division for the past 3 years.
Penn, Ortiz, Big Nog, Mir, Belfort, Barnett, and Nick Diaz.
Sherk wanted nothing to do with Kennys stand up..
when they fought, Kenny was definately the better fighter, but he just wasn’t strong enough to stop Sherks roid power from taking him down and keeping him there. That is the only reason Sherk won. Kenny is a lot better fighter since then Sherk is the same old fighter but believes he is now a striker. He could not beat Kenny on his feet before, so he would have no chance now, his power is the only thing that would give Kenny problems, but I see Kenny subbing him or getting a tko this time. Some people will never like Kenny or be impressed with him no matter what he does or how many times he proves them wrong, but he just keeps getting better and is one of the most exciting fighters in the divsion, and no other fighter has destroyed Guida the way he did. That was a real impressive performance, even if many seem to have forgotten it.
by Ade on Apr 2, 2010 7:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Penn and Sherk Have.
Maynard Would stifle his BJJ, Soto would be one hell of a fight, Edgar IMO would lose and Griffin would also be a great fight. Florian can beat 2 out of that group of 6
Damn ^^
Glad i didnt put money on that fight lol! Seriously wtf i never ever thought that Kenny would be able to stand with Gomi holyshiiiit, I did say that if KEnny took it to the ground he could win and for sure thats what happened but he wouldve won either way wow….Gomi definitely is going downhill 2losses in Sengoku +1 in the UFC jeeez man wtf is going on with him.
Kenny vs Maynard would be soooo sweet id love to see Kenny TKO/sub Maynard’s weakazz!
If you dont like drugs then dont do them.....give them to me!
I'd also put..
money on Nate Diaz to beat Kenny too.
Greasy St.Pierre, the last Outsider.
Anderson Silva reign= reaping the benefits of a very weak UFC MW division for the past 3 years.
Penn, Ortiz, Big Nog, Mir, Belfort, Barnett, and Nick Diaz.
Wow
so Nate Diaz, Gray Maynard, Frankie Edgar and Tyson Griffin would beat K flow? Sean Sherk MAYBE, although how longs it been since he lost to frankie edgar? You guys dont realize that K flow is pretty damn good. His range and jab were excellent, and maynard would not stifle his bjj. Nate Diaz beat Gray Maynard
Actually
Loss Gray Maynard Decision (Split) UFC – UFC Fight Night 20 1/11/2010 3 5:00
So, with that said Kenny wouldnt be able to get Maynard to the ground unless Maynard wanted too and even there I dont think Kennys bottom game is better then Maynards top game. It would be an ugly decision win for Maynard.
by AintNoSunshine on Apr 1, 2010 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I think he meant when Diaz submitted Maynard on TUF . . .
but the fact that he couldn’t when they fought in the UFC is demonstrative of how much Gray’s submission defense has improved. He was very new to MMA when they fought on the show and has improved a lot since. Kenny clearly has the advantage in stand up and BJJ, but I think Gray would play to his strengths and win a decision. Unless Kenny has drastically improved his takedown defense he would be in for a long night.
Are you guys insane??
Kenny would beat the hell out of Maynard….Grey….lol who names a child grey or gray however you sepll it….that guy never fought a good standup guy and kenny would pickhim apart…also kenflo ends fights man…always…never a decisition…
Stand up means squat when you are on your back...
I am not saying Kenny couldn’t get the lucky punch in, but Maynard is way to strong of a wrestler. Kenny doesn’t have one punch power so I don’t think Grey would worry about shooting in. Grey’s wrestling game is amazing. I think Grey would take Kenny Down relatively easily and would be able to smoother Ken’s BJJ game. It could be one of those fights that ends up real boring. GRey playing it safe with the takedowns and sitting in Kens guard with some ground and pound, till they stand’em up and rinse, lather, repeat for 3 rounds!
"90 percent of the game is half mental"
"Im the oldest I’ve ever been, right now" – Words of Wisdom by Tim Sylvia
Mirko Filipovic: The guys that are always trying to impress girls by saying 'Hey, I bought a new Ferrari or I bought a new ship.' I will take her to my room and she'll see 10 guns. 15 revolvers.
Filipovic's Manager: And a small dick!
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
