Kenny Florian

At 47 years old, Kenny Florian has this physical status:

Kenneth Alan Florian (born May 26, 1976) is a retired American mixed martial artist who has appeared in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

He currently works as the UFC on Fox analyst, color commentator on the robot combat television series BattleBots, and color commentator for UFC Fight Night. Florian has experience with Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai.

He is known for his cerebral approach to the game based on his meticulous game planning.

Florian is well-known for his ability to help his opponents, having failed in twelve of his 14 victories.

He is also one of the only two fighters in history to compete in four different weight divisions in the UFC: Middleweight, Welterweight, Lightweight, and Featherweight, with Diego Sanchez being the other.

Florian won on the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter reality show but lost in the final against Diego Sanchez.

He has appeared on two occasions for the UFC Lightweight Championship and once for the UFC Featherweight Championship, but he fell short against Sean Sherk, B.J. According to Penn and José Aldo, respectively, they were both a member of the New York Times and José Aldo.

Florian has been recognized as one of the best all-time mixed martial artists to have never been a winner in the Ultimate Fighting Championship throughout his career, but he has not appeared in a UFC Championship since 2015.

In addition, he has started doing on camera interviews with some of the 2018 winners.

Early life

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; instead, his ancestry includes: Spanish, Italian, German, French, and Armenian. Florian was born in Westwood, Massachusetts, and he grew up in Dover, Massachusetts, where he was a standout soccer player for Dover-Sherborn Regional High School. He attended Boston College, where he competed for the varsity soccer team (NCAA Division 1). He has dual citizenship in the United States and Peru.

After college, his passions shifted to mixed martial arts, and he received a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from Prof. Roberto Maia of Boston (formerly Gracie Barra Boston). Florian worked as a translator, reworking financial records in a variety of foreign languages, and planned to do so for a few years before applying to law school. Nevertheless, a near-death trip in Brazil prompted him to pursue his passion for mixed martial arts instead.

Personal life

Dr Phil Florian, along with UFC President Dana White and former Light Heavyweight Champion Forrest Griffin, talked to two high school students who were involved in "MMA" combats, reminding them that fighting outside of a sanctioned group could be dangerous and that they should train in an MMA gym instead. Dr. Phil referred to him as "Kenny Florini."

Keith and Kenny earned their second degree in Prof. Roberto Maia's black belt on June 10, 2010. Kenny and his brother Keith own and operate Florian Martial Arts Center, a martial arts academy in Brookline, Massachusetts, which instructs Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay thai, wrestling, and mixed martial arts. Kenny Florian, Keith Florian, and Alex Lewis, among the academy's instructors, include Kenny Florian, Keith Florian, and Alex Lewis.

In a GQ interview, actor Jonah Hill praises Florian for assisting him in getting him to become accustomed enough to train jiujitsu.

Florian is a natural speaker of Spanish.

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Mixed martial arts career

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

Florian made his MMA debut at Mass Destruction 10 in January 2003, defeating Jason Giroux via TKO 3:23 in the first round. Florian made another appearance in the Mass Destruction Promotion at MD on August 15th, defeating Bobby McAndrews by submission (kimura). Kenny suffered his first defeat to UFC regular Drew Fickett via a decision at Combat Zone 7 – Gravel Pit on July 10, 2004. This is the show that put Kenny on the Ultimate Fighter's show, not Fickett.

Kenny went on to compete on The Ultimate Fighter's first season as a middleweight. After losing in the first round to Diego Sanchez due to strikes, he made it to the semifinals by beating Chris Leben via cut stoppage.

Florian recovered from his humiliation against Sanchez by delivering a brutal cut across the nose with a right elbow. Karalexis had arguably won the war up until the cut. After the strike landed and the cut opened up, Florian danced and applauded immediately. Kenny continued to face Muay Thai competitor Kit Cope early in round 2, winning with a rear naked choke submission early in round 2. Florian earned a championship shot after beating Canadian TKO Major League Lightweight champion Sam Stout at The Ultimate Fighter 3 Finale; Florian won by rear naked choke in the first round.

Florian took the UFC Lightweight championship title from Sean Sherk on October 14, 2006: Unstoppable and lost by a unanimous decision. Despite being severely wounded by one of Florian's elbows, sherk dominated the match. Sherk's judges were split 50–45 and 49–46 twice. Sherk became the first UFC lightweight champion in doing so.

Florian defeated Japanese fighter Dokonjonosuke Mishima by rear naked choke submission on April 5, 2007, at UFC Fight Night 9. Florian was able to pull out of Mishima's humiliating knee-bar fight late in the game.

He fought and defeated UFC newcomer Alvin Robinson via submission in the first round on July 7, 2007. Until being led to side-control, Florian tripped Robinson to the ground before going to side-control. Florian then mounted into mount before pounding away until Robinson was tapped due to strikes.

Florian gained another victory by submission over Din Thomas in his next fight, despite a rear naked choke at UFC Fight Night 11. Thomas suffered a fractured knee while trying to take down during the match. Thomas had intended to face Spencer Fisher but Fisher had to cancel due to a staph infection. Florian took his place.

Florian defeated Joe Lauzon at UFC Fight Night 13 by TKO early in the second round, securing his spot as one of the top lightweight candidates in the United States. Kenny delivered a brutal body kick, and Lauzon searched for knee bars and heel hooks in the first round. Florian had some good shots at Joe's head in the round. Florian opened the 2nd round with a takedown and rained down punches on Lauzon from the mount position. Lauzon fired another heel hook but Florian continued to strike, resulting in Herb Dean's suspension of the match.

Florian defeated Roger Huerta by a majority decision at UFC 87 on August 9, 2008. Florian ended Huerta's 17-fight victory streak by winning. Florian's three judges received a 30–27 score.

Florian defeated Joe Stevenson by back naked choke submission in the first round at UFC 91 on November 15, 2008. Florian put in a takedown before advancing Stevenson and then transforming him to a position where he would finish him with the choke.

Florian established himself as the top contender for the Lightweight Championship with his win. "I want B.J." Florian said. The belt of a woman. You're one of the best fighters out there, B.J. I'm here to put myself into doubt. I think you're a natural warrior, someone I look up to. I consider you a master. It's time to execute the master. At the UFC 101 Main Event for the Championship, Florian took on Penn. Florian pushed Penn against the fence and attempted to capture him down several times during the war, but it was unsuccessful. Penn shot him down and mounted him in the 4th round. After submitting Florian and defending his title, Penn eventually took his back and locked up a rear naked choke. After his loss to Penn, Florian was obviously weeping as he left the octagon.

On December 12, 2009, Florian defeated Clay Guida at UFC 107. Florian caught Guida with a right hand on the chin that had fallen Guida in the second round. At 2:19, he responded with a brief flurry and ended the match by rear naked choke.

He has expressed curiosity in seeing a match with Diego Sanchez again. He said that his loss to Sanchez was the one he'd most like to avenge on an episode of MMA Live (before the Penn loss), and that he'd rather avenge. Sanchez has expressed a similar passion as have many followers, but it seems that this is unlikely as Sanchez has returned to the Welterweight division.

In the third round, Florian defeated former Pride Lightweight Champion Takanori Gomi by a rear naked choke. He won the first two rounds with a strong punch, utilizing multiple jabs. Gomi was eventually dismissed in the third round and turned over by Florian shortly after. Florian also won his first Submission of the Night bonus.

Just weeks after beating Gomi, Florian developed a staph infection in his knee and was admitted to the hospital for minor surgery.

At UFC 118 on August 28, 2010, Florian faced Gray Maynard. The winner of the fight, according to Dana White, will receive a shot at the UFC Lightweight Championship. Despite being offensive throughout the fight, he was shot at will and lost by unanimous decision.

Florian was supposed to face Evan Dunham at UFC 126, but the fight was later scheduled to headline UFC Fight Night 23, 2011. Florian, on the other hand, had to withdraw from the match due to a knee injury on December 6, 2010. Melvin Guillard was recalled as Kenny's replacement by beating Dunham.

Florian will be down to featherweight on February 7, 2011. He made his Featherweight debut on June 11, 2011 at UFC 131, with the judges' scorecards being (29–28, 29–28, and 30–27). On MMA Live, Dana White said that if Kenny wins this fight, he'll most likely get a title shot. On October 8, 2011 at UFC 136, Florian was given the title shot against José Aldo for the UFC Featherweight Championship, but was disqualified by a unanimous vote.

Florian considered retirement from active competition following his loss to Aldo, his third defeat in a championship match. But in an interview with The Boston Herald, he said that he still loves the sport, learning and competing. Kenny went on to announce that he would return to the UFC's lightweight division, but that he will not fight for at least six months so that he can recover his body to compete in the higher weight division.

Florian has suffered with back pain throughout his career, but he sustained a new injury when lifting weights in November 2011. Florian didn't expect the break to be a major setback since losing a featherweight title shot in October 2011.

Florian had been suffering from tingling and numbness in his right leg and didn't have time to train after the Aldo battle, and he hadn't been able to train. The 35-year-old was advised to retire after consulting with an orthopedic surgeon and a neurologists. Florian announced his retirement at Ultimate Fighter: Live Finale weigh-ins on May 31, 2012.

Color commentary career

Florian co-hosted MMA Live, alongside Franklin McNeil and others for ESPN.com, which is also available on ESPN.com. Florian contributed to the show with his MMA expertise and experience as a fighter. Florian Bisping, co-hosts "UFC Tonight" on FS1 with Michael Bisping, gives the same insight and perspective as he did on MMA Live. In the April 2009 issue of FIGHT!, an MMA magazine, Florian was a guest writer.

Florian debuted Joe Rogan as the color commentator for UFC 83 and then again at UFC Fight Night 19. Kenny Florian, the wife of Frank Mir, who gave birth two days later as color commentator for WEC 41, would fill in for him on June 7, 2009. Florian also provided color commentary for WEC 49 and the TUF 11 Finale. Joe Rogan was also appointed as a commentator for UFC 134.

In his preview of UFC Fight Night: Dillashaw vs. Cruz, Kenny Florian was briefly suspended by Fox Sports on January 16, 2016. The offending article included key details from boxing analyst Lee Wylie's analysis of Willie Pep's demise.

Florian was appointed as the color commentator for ABC's revival of the robot war game BattleBots in 2015, alongside Fox Sports personality Chris Rose on play-by-play. Florian continued his role on the revival's third season, which was devoted to Science Channel.

Florian announced in March 2021 that he had signed a lifetime as a commentator to work for the Professional Fighters League.

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