Kenny "Ken-Flo" Florian
Born	Kenneth Alan Florian May 26, 1976 (1976-05-26) (age 33) Westwood, Massachusetts, United States
Other names	Ken-Flo
Nationality	American Peruvian
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight	155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st)
Division	155
Reach	74.0 in (188 cm)
Style	Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai
Stance	Southpaw
Fighting out of	Brookline, Massachusetts
Team	Florian Martial Arts Center/Tristar
Trainer	Keith Florian
Rank	black belt in BJJ      black belt in Genjitsu
Years active	2003–present
MMA record
Total	18
Wins	14
By knockout	3
By submission	10
Losses	4
By knockout	1
By submission	1
Other information
University	Boston College
Notable school(s)	Dover-Sherborn High School
Official website
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
last updated on: April 20, 2010

Kenneth Alan Florian (born May 26, 1976) is a Peruvian American mixed martial artist with a background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai. He is 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. He is currently ranked by Sherdog as the #6 lightweight in the world.

Biography

Early life

Florian is the fourth of six children born to Agustin, a thoracic surgeon and Ines Florian. Florian also holds dual citizenship in the United States and Peru.

Florian was born in Westwood, Massachusetts to Armenian parents. He grew up in neighboring Dover, Massachusetts where he was a standout soccer player for Dover-Sherborn Regional High. He attended Boston College where he played for the varsity soccer team (NCAA Division 1).

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).

Mixed martial arts career

Kenny is known for his elbow strikes, which Joe Rogan describes as "razor sharp".

Florian made his MMA debut in January 2003 at Mass Destruction 10, defeating Jason Giroux via KO (Punch) in only seven seconds. Florian made another appearance in the Mass Destruction Promotion at MD â€“ 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 â€“ 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.

The Ultimate Fighter

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 Diego Sanchez due to strikes.

UFC career

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 Finale; Florian won in the first round by rear naked choke.

On October 14, 2006, Florian fought Sean Sherk for the UFC Lightweight championship title at UFC 64: Unstoppable and lost via unanimous decision. Sherk exhibited superior control despite being cut severely by several Florian elbows. The judges scored it 50–45 and 49–46 twice for Sherk. In doing so, Sherk became the new UFC lightweight champion.

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.

On July 7, 2007 at UFC 73, he fought and defeated UFC newcomer Alvin Robinson via submission due to strikes in the first round. Florian tripped Robinson to the mat before moving to side-control. Florian then transitioned into mount before pounding away until Robinson tapped due to strikes.

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. 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.

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. 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.

At UFC 87 on August 9, 2008 Florian defeated Roger Huerta by unanimous decision. By winning, Florian ended Huerta's 17-fight win streak. All three judges scored the bout 30–27 for Florian.

At UFC 91 on November 15, 2008, Florian defeated Joe Stevenson by rear naked choke submission in the first round. Florian executed a takedown before mounting Stevenson and transitioning to a position to finish him with the choke.

Second title opportunity

With the win Florian established himself as the #1 contender for the Lightweight Championship. 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." 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 with ease and immediately mounted him. Penn eventually took his back and locked up a Rear Naked Choke, submitting Florian and defending his title.

Florian fought Clay Guida on December 12, 2009 at UFC 107. During the second round, Florian caught Guida with a clean right hand right on the chin that dropped him. He followed up with a short flurry and finished the fight via rear naked choke.

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 after Sanchez 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.

Florian is expected to face Gray Maynard on August 28, 2010 at UFC 118.

Outside fighting

He currently hosts MMA Live ,alongside Jon Anik and Franklin McNeil, for ESPN.com which is shown online and on TV on ESPN UK in the United Kingdom. Florian contributes to the show with his MMA experience and his perspective as a fighter.

Florian was also 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 and again at UFC Fight Night 19. 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.

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".

Championships and awards

Ultimate Fighting Championship

The Ultimate Fighter 1 Middleweight Tournament Finalist

Fight of the Night Honors

Submission of the Night Honors

Florian Martial Arts Center

Kenny Florian and his brother Keith own and operate Florian Martial Arts Center, a martial arts academy in Brookline, Massachusetts. The academy currently teaches Brazilian jujitsu, muay thai, wrestling, and mixed martial arts. Instructors at the academy include, Kenny Florian, Keith Florian and Alex Lewis.

Mixed martial arts record

Result	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
		Gray Maynard		UFC 118	2010-08-28			Boston, Massachusetts, US	Will determine the #1 Contender to the UFC Lightweight Championship
Win	14–4	Takanori Gomi	Submission (Rear Naked Choke)	UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Gomi	2010-03-31	3	2:52	Charlotte, North Carolina, US	Won Submission of the Night Honours
Win	13–4	Clay Guida	Submission (Rear Naked Choke)	UFC 107: Penn vs. Sanchez	2009-12-12	2	2:19	Memphis, Tennessee, US
Loss	12–4	B.J. Penn	Submission (Rear Naked Choke)	UFC 101: Declaration	2009-08-08	4	3:45	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US	For the UFC Lightweight Championship
Win	12–3	Joe Stevenson	Submission (Rear Naked Choke)	UFC 91: Couture vs. Lesnar	2008-11-15	1	4:03	Las Vegas, Nevada, US	Became #1 Contender for UFC Lightweight Championship
Win	11–3	Roger Huerta	Decision (Unanimous)	UFC 87: Seek and Destroy	2008-08-09	3	5:00	Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
Win	10–3	Joe Lauzon	TKO (Strikes)	UFC Fight Night 13	2008-04-02	2	3:28	Broomfield, Colorado, US	Fight of the Night
Win	9–3	Din Thomas	Submission (Rear Naked Choke)	UFC Fight Night 11	2007-09-19	1	4:30	Las Vegas, Nevada, US
Win	8–3	Alvin Robinson	Submission (Strikes)	UFC 73: Stacked	2007-07-07	1	4:30	Las Vegas, Nevada, US
Win	7–3	Dokonjonosuke Mishima	Submission (Rear Naked Choke)	UFC Fight Night 9	2007-04-05	3	3:57	Las Vegas, Nevada, US
Loss	6–3	Sean Sherk	Decision (Unanimous)	UFC 64: Unstoppable	2006-10-14	5	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, US	For Vacant UFC Lightweight Championship
Win	6–2	Sam Stout	Submission (Rear Naked Choke)	The Ultimate Fighter 3 Finale	2006-06-24	1	1:46	Las Vegas, Nevada, US	First Fight at Lightweight (155 lb)
Win	5–2	Kit Cope	Submission (Rear Naked Choke)	The Ultimate Fighter 2 Finale	2005-11-05	2	0:37	Las Vegas, Nevada, US	Fought at 170 lb.
Win	4–2	Alex Karalexis	TKO (Cut)	UFC Ultimate Fight Night	2005-08-06	2	2:52	Las Vegas, Nevada, US	Fought at 170 lb.
Loss	3–2	Diego Sanchez	TKO (Strikes)	The Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale	2005-04-09	1	2:49	Las Vegas, Nevada, US	Fought at 185 lb.
Loss	3–1	Drew Fickett	Decision	Combat Zone 7: Gravel Pit	2004-07-10	3	5:00	Revere, Massachusetts, US
Win	3–0	Bobby McAndrews	Submission (Kimura)	Mass Destruction 15	2004-02-21	1	1:57	Boston, Massachusetts, US
Win	2–0	Jason Giroux	KO (Punch)	Mass Destruction 10	2003-01-25	1	0:07	Taunton, Massachusetts, US
Win	1–0	Nuri Shakir	Submission (Strikes)	Xtreme Fighting: Battle in Taunton	2002-02-15	1	N/A	Taunton, Massachusetts, US	MMA Debut

External links

• Kenny Florian's UFC Profile
• Official Kenny Florian Web Site
• Kenny Florian on Twitter
• Professional MMA record for Kenny Florian from Sherdog
• Florian Martial Arts Center Web Site

http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/St-Pierre-trainer-says-he-s-working-with-the-ne?urn=mma,191291