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Kenny "Kenflo" Florian
Kenny Florian was born on May 26, 1976 in Westwood, Massachusetts. He has always remained true to his roots, going to school in the area, working in the area after college and now training in the area.
There was a time where Mixed Martial Arts wasn't the most important sports in Kenny Florian's life. In high school and throughout college, Florian made a conscious decision to focus on playing soccer. This decision paid off for Florian as he attended Boston College and played on the school's soccer team. He earned big-east academic all-star status, and ended up graduating with a degree in Communications.
Upon graduating, Florian took a job at a Harvard-based translation services company.
As a child, Florian had really enjoyed martial arts. Sometime after graduation, Florian felt the pull of martial arts once again. He says that Royce Gracie inspired him to take up jiu-jitsu because he was impressed at the way that Gracie could take down much larger opponents.
He ended up earning a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu from Prof. Roberto Maia of Boston Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Gracie Barra Boston). Florian decided that he wanted to pursue a career as a fighter.
Florian made his professional debut in January of 2003 at Mass Destruction 10 against Jason Giroux. Florian was confident after his years of training, and knocked Giroux out in the first round.
Florian would suffer a setback after dropping his next two fights, one against Drew Fickett at Combat Zone 7: Gravel Pit, and the next against Diego Sanchez in the finale of The Ultimate Fighter. Florian was knocked out in the first round by Sanchez, and this would prove to be the only time that Florian was ever knocked out in a fight. Despite losing this fight, Florian impressed the UFC brass enough so that they signed him to a deal.
After his loss to Sanchez, Florian won his next three fights, defeating Alex Karalexis via knockout at UFC Ultimate Fight Night, Kit Cope via rear naked choke in the Ultimate Fighter 2 Finale, and Sam Stout via Rear Naked Choke in the Ultimate Fighter 3 Finale. Florian had arrived, and was becoming a star.
Florian earned a shot at the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship and took on Sean Sherk at UFC 64: Unstoppable. Sherk won the five round fight via unanimous decision. This would prove to be Sherk's second to last fight before being suspended for steroid abuse.
Florian was only momentarily dejected by this outcome, and immediately came back with a third round submission victory against Dokonjonosuke Mishima at UFC Fight Night 9. This fight would mark the beginning of a four fight winning streak. Florian would count Mishima, Alvin Robinson, Din Thomas and Joe Lauzon as victims during this four fight winning streak. Two of the victories came via strikes (Robinson and Lauzon) and the other two would come via submission.
Florian is known for his "razor-sharp" elbows and outstanding jiu-jitsu skills. He is trained by coach Kevin Kearns and does his technical training and sparring with Mark Dellagrotte and brother Keith Florian.
Kenny Florian has held a number of different titles over his career, including: 2002 US Grappling Pro 8-Man Champion, 2x Mass Destruction MMA Superfight champion and Pan-American BJJ Medalist
Florian currently trains in Boston, Massachusetts and has a self-professed love for the area.
PROFESSIONAL RECORD: 9-3-0
VICTORIES
v. Joe Lauzon @ UFC - Fight Night 13, April 2nd, 2008 (TKO at 3:28 of Second Round)
v. Din Thomas @ UFC - Fight Night 11, September 19th, 2007 (Submission - Rear Naked Choke)
v. Alvin Robinson @ UFC 73 - Stacked, July 7th, 2007 (Submission - Strikes)
v. Dokonjonosuke Mishima @ UFC - Fight Night 9, April 5th, 2007 (Submission - Rear Naked Choke)
v. Sam Stout @ UFC The Ultimate Fighter 3 Finale, June 24th, 2006 (Submission - Rear Naked Choke)
v. Kit Cope @ UFC The Ultimate Fighter 2 Finale, November 5th, 2005 (Submission - Rear Naked Choke)
v. Alex Karalexis @ UFC - Ultimate Fight Night, August 6th, 2005 (TKO - Cut)
v. Bobby McAndrews @ Mass Destruction 15, February 21st, 2004 (Submission - Kimura)
v. Jason Giroux @ Mass Destruction 10, January 25th, 2003 (TKO - Strikes)
LOSSES
v. Sean Sherk @ UFC 64 - Unstoppable, October 14th, 2006 (Unanimous Decision)
v. Diego Sanchez @ UFC The Ultimate Fighter Finale, April 9th, 2005 (TKO - Strikes)
v. Drew Fickett @ CZ 7 - Gravel Pit, July 10th, 2004 (Decision)
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