Kenny Florian Talks Wrestling, Injuries, the US Troops & More
By Scott Casber
[audio:http://videos.punchdrunkgamer.com/videos/KennyFlorian.mp3]
It’s easy to see what Dana White sees in Boston based Kenny Florian. It’s easy to understand why USA Judo’s Head Coach, Olympian Jimmy Pedro Jr., is so high on Florian. He’s one of the most kind and caring of the stars of the UFC as you’ll find across the country. He cares about kids and our troops enough to actually do something about it. He gives time and money to the causes he cares about. He’s a proud patriot that’s disappointed he cannot perform for the troops on the coming UFC Fight Night 23 January 22nd. We understand. Kenny is not happy unless he’s training, working out or doing something to make himself better.
August 28th of 2010 Kenny lost a bout with Gray Maynard at UFC 126. The difference maker was Maynard’s skills on the mat, wrestling skills. Enter Carl Adams and his Terriers of Boston University. 2 X NCAA Champion at Iowa State University, Carl Adams is the head coach for Boston and one of the most respected mat technicians in the world. He has an amazing staff as well, guys like 2 X Virginia Tech All American Sean Gray. Gray and Adams are helping Florian learn and perfect the skills he missed while playing college soccer at Boston College.
Florian is about as well rounded in talent and interests as one might hope for. 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. Florian also provided color commentary for WEC 49 and the TUF 11 Finale.
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”. Dr. Phil doesn’t know everything.
Kenny Florian and his brother Keith own and operate the successful Florian Martial Arts Center, a martial arts academy in Brookline, Massachusetts. The academy currently teaches Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, wrestling, and mixed martial arts. Instructors at the academy include, Kenny Florian, Keith Florian and Alex Lewis.
Our thanks go to Jimmy Pedro Jr. of Zebra Mats and Cages for turning on the learning light for me and for helping make Kenny available to us all. Zebra, Simply Z-Best!
About Zebra Mats and Cages: http://www.zebramats.com/
About Kenny and Keith Florian’s “Florian Martial Arts Center”: http://www.florianmartialartscenter.com/
About Kenny Florian: http://kennyflorian.com/
About Boston University Terrier Wrestling: http://www.goterriers.com/sports/m-wrestl/bost-m-wrestl-body.html
