Kenny Florian
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Kenny Florian | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Nickname | KenFlo |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in |
| Weight | 155 lbs |
| Born | May 26, 1976 |
| Town of birth | Westwood, Massachusetts |
| Fighting style | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Wins | 5 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By submission | 4 |
| Losses | 3 |
| Draws | |
Kenneth Alan Florian (born May 26, 1976 in Westwood, Massachusetts) is an American mixed martial artist with a background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai. He is best known for his appearance on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter reality show where he lost the middleweight final to Diego Sanchez. Florian currently fights as a lightweight for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
[edit] Early life
He was born to immigrant parents from South America. As a child, he excelled in many sports including soccer, tennis, and the martial arts. In high school and college, he focused mainly on soccer and put the martial arts aside. He played soccer at Boston College, and earned Big-East academic all-star status. He graduated with a degree in Communications.
After college, his interests turned towards mixed martial arts, and he earned a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from Prof. Roberto Maia of Boston Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Gracie Barra Boston).
[edit] Mixed martial arts career
Kenny has a professional MMA record of 5-3.
Florian made his MMA debut in February 2004 at Mass Destruction 15, defeating Bobby McAndrews in under 2 minutes by kimura. Following, Kenny suffered his first loss to UFC regular Drew Fickett via decision at Combat Zone 7-Gravel Pit on July 10, 2004.
Kenny went on to compete on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter as a middleweight, losing at the finale in the first round to Sanchez due to strikes.
Following his loss to Sanchez, Florian returned at the first Ultimate Fight Night to defeat fellow TUF 1 competitor Alex Karalexis with a vicious cut across the nose. 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 Lightweight champion Sam Stout at The Ultimate Fighter 3 season finale; Florian won in the first round by rear naked choke.
Florian's last fight was against Sean Sherk for the UFC Lightweight championship title at UFC 64: Unstoppable on October 14, 2006. Florian lost via unanimous decision.
On April 5, 2007, at UFC Fight Night 9 Florian defeated Japanese fighter Dokonjonosuke Mishima via rear naked choke submission.
[edit] Mixed martial arts record
| Result | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Notes |
| Win | Dokonjonosuke Mishima | Submission (rear naked choke) | UFC Fight Night 9 | 4/5/2007 | 3 | 3:57 | |
| Loss | Sean Sherk | Decision | UFC 64: Unstoppable | 10/14/2006 | 5 | 5:00 | For the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship |
| Win | Sam Stout | Submission (rear naked choke) | UFC Ultimate Fighter 3 Finale | 6/24/2006 | 1 | 1:46 | |
| Win | Kit Cope | Submission (rear naked choke) | UFC Ultimate Fighter 2 Finale | 11/5/2005 | 2 | 0:37 | |
| Win | Alex Karalexis | TKO (cut) | UFC Ultimate Fight Night | 8/6/2005 | 2 | 2:52 | |
| Loss | Diego Sanchez | TKO (strikes) | UFC Ultimate Fighter Finale | 4/9/2005 | 1 | 2:49 | |
| Loss | Drew Fickett | Decision | Combat Zone 7: Gravel Pit | 7/10/2004 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Bobby McAndrews | Submission (kimura) | Mass Destruction 15 | 2/21/2004 | 1 | 1:57 |
[edit] Reference
[edit] External links
| The Ultimate Fighter - Season 1 | |
|---|---|
| Stephan Bonnar | Kenny Florian | Forrest Griffin | Sam Hoger | Alex Karalexis | Josh Koscheck | Chris Leben | Nathan Quarry | Josh Rafferty | Diego Sanchez | Christopher Sanford | Alex Schoenauer | Lodune Sincaid | Bobby Southworth | Mike Swick | Jason Thacker
Coaches: Randy Couture | Chuck Liddell |
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