Kenny Florian – Questions & Answers

Yesterday, one of the UFC’s top lightweight division fighters Kenny Florian, answered lots of questions by the great bunch of people at the ACF Forums (armchairfighters.com). As always, he came across as very respectful, and a great ambassador to the sport. Here’s a sample of some of the questions and answers from yesterday:

Waianae_Wahine: Welcome Kenny! Thank you for doing this!! We’ve got around 1/2 an hour with Kenny so let’s get this going! I just want to say THANK YOU for doing this.

Buffaloblue: Kenny, how much game planning do you usually do for a fight? Has the process for game planning change since changing camps?

KennyFlorian: Yes it has changed. I have been learning a whole new striking system and added lot of wrestling as well. Game planning has been taken to a whole new level. When I say scientific, I literally mean scientific. Firas & his people are years ahead of everyone.

Showdown: Kenny, if either BJ or Diego had the belt, who would you want a rematch with the most?

KennyFlorian: BJ

Castellammarese: Why would you prefer a rematch with BJ instead of Diego?

KennyFlorian: I would like to rematch both but against Diego, I was a baby, just coming up. With BJ, I didn’t perform like I know I could. I don’t mind losing as long as I performed at my best. I didn’t do that against BJ so hopefully I get a second chance. It starts with Guida.

Maggotbrain: After going 0-2 in title fights where do think you stand in title contention and what do you think it will take to get another shot? Thanks and good luck, hope you get another one

KennyFlorian: Thanks maggotbrain, I’m not sure. When I fought for the first time, I wasn’t ready. It was very early in my career. I don’t really count that but if I BJ can do it on his 3rd try, hopefully I can do the same. Maybe a couple fights. I am taking it one at a time though. Next fight with clay is all I am thinking about.

Kubz: Kenny, do you have any special pre fight rituals? Also if you listen to music before a fight what’s your favorite to listen too?

KennyFlorian: I do have pre fight rituals but I don’t like to really share those. I love all types of music. I like listening to rap/hip hop before training or fights.

Ace: Who is you full time trainer now that you have parted ways with Mark Dellegrote?

KennyFlorian: Really my head trainer has been my brother Keith for the last few fights. I have worked with my brother Keith the most for fights. Firas and Keith are my two head coaches now. They share the duties. I split my time between Florian Martial Arts Center and Zahabi MMA/Tristar

Grapplethis: In the BJ fight, I never thought anyone would submit. I thought you’d be more or less even on the mat. But, in the fight you looked like you were closer to BJ in terms of skill on the feet than on the mat. He got you down and passed very quickly and then got the finish. Was he better grappler than you expected or where you gassing a bit or something? When it went to the mat I was like “ok here’s where it gets interesting” and then it was over so fast.

KennyFlorian: BJ is excellent when he gets on top. I made the first mistake and he took advantage I felt frustration when I was taken down was not doing what I should have been doing technically to recover. I didn’t perform well at all that night, on the feet or on the ground but that’s what the fight game is about. Who is ON for that particular night. I learned a lot from the training for that fight and the fight itself and will be much, much better because of it.

Squib: KenFlo – much thanks for your time. What is your favorite fight and why? (either one of your own or another – doesn’t even have to be MMA necessarily)

KennyFlorian: I hate my own fights. I am too picky. I love watching guys like Anderson Silva, GSP, Machida and Fedor fight. Favorite actual fight . . . hmm?? Tough to say. Aaron Pryor vs. Alexis Arguello was great. I love all mma fights . . . except my own. I love watching Manny Pacquiao. He is one of my favorites

Morbid: Can you explain how the beef between you and Joe Lauzon got started. How it felt to beat him and would you want to fight his brother Dan now that he’s in the UFC

KennyFlorian: Lauzon just talks trash in my opinion. I see them as kids. Why would I want to fight Dan? I only want to fight the top guys.

iceman22: Kenny, first thanks for the time. My question is, I have been taking Muay Thai for about a year and I was wondering if your shins ever stop hurting or if it’s just something you get used to, also any advice for someone who is pretty new to Thai?

KennyFlorian: Thai can be tough on your body in general. Conditioning the shins takes time and consistent training of hitting pads and bags. Start slow but be consistent don’t overdo it or they will never heal. Little by little. Always try your best to get the technique perfect. That’s the most important thing. Mechanics first, then get in shape and then combinations

Meatmallet: Kenny thanks for doing this for us here at ACF. I have just started jiu jitsu and really love it. When did you start training jiu jitsu and how quickly did you progress?

KennyFlorian: Well everyone is different as far as learning goes. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was all I would think about when I started. It took me 5 and half years to get the BB. Time isn’t important. Best thing is having a good teacher and putting in the hours to learn and practice.

Metalmike00: Kenny thanks for being so cool and taking your time to chat with us. My question is can you keep up the relentless pace that clay brings to the cage? How do you see that fight playing out?

KennyFlorian: The key for this fight will be my ability to not only hang with his pace but even push the pace on Clay. I always come to fights in shape. I have peaked properly for this fight so I’ll be ready. For this fight, I am not thinking about how the fight will go. I will see what he gives me and hope to seize it when the opportunity presents itself. It will be a great fight.

Phoenix: Kenny, you seemed to have a good game plan going into the Penn fight. You pressed him against the cage and tried to wear him out. Were you surprised with his cardio? And what do you think it will take to dethrone the light weight king?

KennyFlorian: I didn’t really execute the game plan against BJ Penn to be honest. I was pretty sure he would be in best shape of his life. I am working on my weaknesses everyday now and doing things I have never done before. My coaches have really been focusing on those things. Firas, my brother Keith and Peter Welch (boxing coach) have really brought me back to basics and I feel like it has been a new start. I am very excited to be learning so much and adding new skills to my game again but at the same time going back to the basics and really strengthening my fundamentals. John Donaher, black belt under Renzo Gracie also assisted me in preparation for this fight.

Kam300: First off I am honored to be able to ask you this because I feel you represent the Martial Arts the best in the UFC along with GSP. Are you concerned that the martial art aspect of mma will be lost as the sport evolves? Will the Respect, Benevolence and honor of the Martial Arts take a back seat to fight promotion and selling tickets? Are you worried about this?

KennyFlorian: It does worry me sometimes. I have always said that I am not a fighter. I am a martial artist. The problem is what the people demand, they get. You want brawls, u will get brawls. I can see brawls in Boston everyday. I like seeing technical battles, strategy, speed, timing along with battles of wills.

El-Diablo: Ken Flo, what song do you plan on coming out to at UFC 107? When do you have to let the UFC know you choice?

KennyFlorian: Picking a song has been tough for this one. I have a few choices. I would like to come out to a custom song that was made for me by Special Teamz (Jaysaun) a hip hop group from Boston but UFC doesn’t allow custom songs. It’s available on Jaysaun’s album on iTunes actually for those interested.

Darnel: What’s up Kenny, if you fought BJ Penn again how would you change your training?

KennyFlorian: my training has already changed tremendously. I did a lot of things wrong in preparing for that fight mainly technically and physically. We learn and come back stronger though. I am thankful for it. Maybe I wouldn’t have made those changes if I didn’t fight poorly like that. The level of training that I have at my disposal now is amazing.

Hello_Newman: Hi Kenny, thanks for taking the time to participate in this chat. If someone wants to get into MMA, what aspect would you recommend they start with (boxing, BJJ, Wrestling)? Also, what should I look for in a gym? Thanks in advance for the answer Kenny.

KennyFlorian: tough to say what to start in first I guess it would be whatever excites you the most. Passion will ignite the spark and will help u to learn better in my opinion. I have a lot of training info on my website, kennyflorian.com I you want to check it out. It should answer your question, it’s pretty long.

PureEvil x21: Is there anyone outside the UFC that you would love to fight, if they were signed and at the same level, and does Dana go out of his way to try to sign guys when you or other guys already in the UFC voice that you would like to fight them?

KennyFlorian: signing guys to fight in the UFC comes down to a lot of factors. Not as easy as just saying I want to fight this guy or that guy. Guys that I would like to fight outside of the UFC . . . probably Shinya Aoki. I think he is a great fighter and martial artist.

Waianae_Wahine: Ok guys, I’ve got everyone on the list, I want to take this time to extend a warm Mahalo! to Kenny for taking the time for all of us at ArmChairFighters.com. Your time and candid answers are very much appreciated! Do you want to say anything to close Kenny??

KennyFlorian: Thank u guys for all the support and kind words. Can’t wait for fight night and big hug to Lisa!! Love u all. Follow me on twitter to see what i am up to. http://twitter.com/Kenny_florian