Florian has a background in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Muay 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 the UFC: Middleweight, Welterweight, Lightweight and Featherweight, the other being Diego Sanchez.
Florian is one of six children born to Peruvian parents: Agustin, a thoracic surgeon, and Ines Florian; however, none of his grandparents are from Peru, his ancestry includes: Spanish, Italian, German, French and Armenian.[8] Florian was born in Westwood, Massachusetts, and grew up in neighboring Dover, Massachusetts, where he was a standout soccer player for Dover-Sherborn Regional High School. He attended Boston College where he played for the varsity soccer team (NCAA Division 1). He also holds dual citizenship in the United States and Peru.[9]
After college, his interests turned towards mixed martial arts and he earned a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu from Roberto Maia.[10] 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.[11]
Mixed martial arts career
Kenny is known for his elbow strikes, which Joe Rogan describes as "razor sharp".[12]
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 to UFC regular Drew Fickett via decision at Combat Zone 7– Gravel Pit on July 10, 2004. This is the fight that got Kenny on the Ultimate Fighter as Dana 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]
The Ultimate Fighter
Kenny went on to compete on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter as a middleweight. He made it to the finals by beating Chris Leben via cut stoppage, before losing at the finale in the first round to Diego Sanchez due to strikes.[13]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Following his loss to Sanchez, Florian returned at the first UFC Ultimate Fight Night to defeat fellow TUF 1 competitor Alex 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.[14] Picking up momentum, Kenny went on to face Muay Thai competitor Kit Cope, winning with a rear naked choke submission early in round 2. Florian earned a title shot after defeating Canadian TKO Major League MMA Lightweight champion Sam Stout at The Ultimate Fighter 3 Finale; Florian won in the first round by rear naked choke.
On October 14, 2006, Florian fought Sean Sherk for the UFCLightweight championship title at UFC 64: Unstoppable and lost via unanimous decision.[15] Sherk completely dominated the fight despite being cut severely by one of Florian's elbows.[16] The judges scored it 50–45 and 49–46 twice for Sherk. In doing so, Sherk became the new UFC lightweight champion.[16]
On April 5, 2007 at UFC Fight Night 9, Florian defeated Japanese fighter Dokonjonosuke Mishima via rear naked choke submission. Florian managed to break free of an excruciating knee-bar attempt made by Mishima late in the fight.[17]
On July 7, 2007 at UFC 73, he fought and defeated UFC newcomer Alvin Robinson via submission due to strikes in the first round.[18] Florian tripped Robinson to the mat before moving to side-control.[19] Florian then transitioned into mount before pounding away until Robinson tapped due to strikes.[19]
In his next fight, Florian managed to get another win via submission due to a rear naked choke against Din Thomas at UFC Fight Night 11. Thomas injured his knee while attempting a takedown during the bout.[20] Thomas was originally slated to face off against Spencer Fisher, but Fisher had to pull out due to a staph infection. Florian took his place.[21]
On April 2, 2008, Florian defeated Joe Lauzon at UFC 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.[22] 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.[23]
At UFC 87 on August 9, 2008, Florian defeated Roger Huerta by unanimous decision. By winning, Florian ended Huerta's 17-fight win streak.[24] All three judges scored the bout 30–27 for Florian.[25]
At UFC 91 on November 15, 2008, Florian defeated Joe Stevenson by rear naked choke submission in the first round.[26] Florian executed a takedown before mounting Stevenson and transitioning to a position to finish him with the choke.[27]
Second title opportunity
With the win Florian established himself as the #1 contender for the Lightweight Championship.[27] Florian said "I want B.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."[28] Florian faced off against Penn at the UFC 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 fought Clay Guida on December 12, 2009, at UFC 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 via rear naked choke at 2:19.[29]
He has expressed interest in getting a rematch with Diego Sanchez. On an episode of MMA 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 former Pride Lightweight Champion Takanori Gomi at UFC 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. Florian also won his first Submission of the Night bonus.
Florian suffered a staph infection in his knee just weeks after his win over Gomi and was admitted to hospital for minor surgery.[30]
Florian faced Gray Maynard on August 28, 2010, at UFC 118.[31] Dana White announced the winner of the fight would receive a shot at the UFC Lightweight Championship.[32] Although striking very well throughout the fight, he was taken down at will and lost via unanimous decision.
Florian was expected to face Evan Dunham at UFC 126,[33] but the bout was then expected to headline UFC Fight Night 23 on January 22, 2011.[34] 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.[35]
Featherweight-Third Title Opportunity
On February 7, 2011, it was announced that Florian would be moving down to featherweight. He made his Featherweight debut with a unanimous decision victory over Diego Nunes on June 11, 2011, at UFC 131,[36] with the judges' scorecards being (29–28, 29–28, and 30–27).[37] Dana White said on MMA Live if Kenny wins this fight he'll most likely get a title shot. Florian was given the title shot against José Aldo for the UFC Featherweight Championship on October 8, 2011, at UFC 136 and was defeated by unanimous decision.[38]
Retirement
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,[39] 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.[40] On May 31, 2012, Florian announced his retirement during Ultimate Fighter: Live Finale weigh-ins show.[41]
Color commentary career
Florian co-hosted MMA Live, alongside Franklin McNeil and others, for ESPN.com which is shown online and on TV on ESPN.[42] Florian contributed to the show with his MMA experience and perspective as a fighter. Florian now co-hosts "UFC Tonight" on FS1 with Michael 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 for Joe Rogan as the color commentator for UFC 83[43] and again at UFC Fight Night 19.[44] On June 7, 2009, Kenny Florian would fill in for Frank Mir, whose wife gave birth two days later, as color commentator for WEC 41.[45] Florian also provided color commentary for WEC 49 and the TUF 11 Finale.[46] Florian also took Joe Rogan's place as commentator for UFC 134.[47]
In March 2021, Florian revealed that he had signed an exclusive deal with the Professional Fighters League as a commentator.[2]
Personal life
On Dr Phil, Florian, along with UFC President Dana White and former Light Heavyweight Champion Forrest 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".[52]
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,[53] actor Jonah Hill credits Florian as helping him get comfortable enough to train jiu-jitsu.
Jay Dee "B.J." Penn III is an American former professional mixed martial art fighter and 5th degree black belt Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) practitioner. A former UFC Lightweight Champion and UFC Welterweight Champion, he is the second of nine fighters in UFC history to win titles in multiple weight classes.
Takanori Gomi is a Japanese professional mixed martial artist who gained international fame in Pride Fighting Championships. Later in his career, Gomi also competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Gomi is the only Pride FC Lightweight Champion in the organization's history. He became the Lightweight Grand Prix Winner at Pride Shockwave 2005, thus winning every lightweight accolade put forth by Pride FC. Gomi also held a record twelve-fight winning streak in Shooto, where he was a former Shooto Lightweight Champion, as well as a four-time All-Japan Combat Wrestling Champion.
Joseph Christopher Stevenson is a retired American mixed martial artist fighting out of Hesperia, California. Coached by Matt Hughes, Stevenson rose to prominence by becoming The Ultimate Fighter 2 Welterweight Tournament Winner. Following a drop in weight class and two-year undefeated streak, he was ranked among the top UFC Lightweight competitors, culminating into a title shot for the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship against B.J. Penn at UFC 80: Rapid Fire. Stevenson fought most of his career as a Lightweight and made his Featherweight debut at UFC Live: Kongo vs. Barry. He is the former King of the Cage Lightweight Champion.
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Samuel James Stout is a retired Canadian professional mixed martial artist. A professional from 2003 until 2015, Stout is best known for his 20-fight stint with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), winning Fight of the Night honors seven times. He is also the former TKO Major League MMA Lightweight Champion.
Yves Edwards is a Bahamian retired mixed martial artist, who is best known for competing in the UFC's Lightweight division, fighting 21 times in the promotion. A professional competitor since 1997, he also competed for PRIDE, the WEC, Strikeforce, Bellator, EliteXC, King of the Cage, BodogFIGHT, the MFC, and HDNet Fights. For a period of time (2004), Edwards was ranked as the #1 Lightweight in the world.
UFC 64: Unstoppable was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on Saturday, October 14, 2006. The event took place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, on the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada and was broadcast live on pay-per-view in the United States and Canada.
Joe Lauzon is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC's Lightweight division. Described as a well-rounded fighter, he has the most post-fight bonus awards in UFC Lightweight history with 15. Joe's younger brother, Dan Lauzon, is also a mixed martial artist.
Daniel James Lauzon is an American former mixed martial artist who competed in the World Series of Fighting's Lightweight division, and has also formerly competed in the UFC and Affliction. He is the younger brother of fellow MMA fighter Joe Lauzon.
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UFC 73: Stacked was a mixed martial arts (MMA) event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). It took place on July 7, 2007, at the ARCO Arena in Sacramento, California and featured a total of nine bouts: four on the preliminary card and five on the main card.
James Andrew Miller is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Lightweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he currently holds the UFC records for most bouts, most total wins, and most wins in the Lightweight division. He is the younger brother of former UFC fighter Dan Miller.
Clay Guida is an American professional mixed martial artist, currently signed to the UFC competing in the Lightweight division. A professional competitor since 2003, Guida also formerly competed for Strikeforce, the WEC, King of the Cage, and Shooto. Guida was the inaugural Strikeforce Lightweight Champion.
Terence Lee "Terry" Etim is a retired English mixed martial artist who competed as a lightweight. He is trained by Shyam Sundar and Reddy Sai Naren. Etim is a brown belt in Luta Livre under Marcelo Brigadeiro.
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Sean Keith Sherk is a retired American mixed martial artist and former UFC Lightweight Champion. Sherk competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and was one of the first combatants to have been a championship competitor in multiple weight divisions. He was the second UFC Lightweight Champion in the organization's history after Jens Pulver vacated his title five years earlier. Sherk also spent time competing in the Japan-based organizations, PRIDE Fighting Championships and Pancrase; going undefeated in both promotions. He holds one of the longest undefeated streaks in mixed martial arts history, with only four career losses, all to fellow-UFC Champions. Sherk announced his official retirement from mixed martial arts competition in September 2013 having last fought three years prior.
Efraín Escudero is a Mexican mixed martial artist. He trains under Drew Fickett and competes in the 155 lb (70.3 kg) weight class. Efrain was the winner of season eight of Spike TV's reality show The Ultimate Fighter.
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