- EXCLUSIVE PRE-FIGHT INTERVIEW WITH KENNY FLORIAN
by Damon Martin - MMAWeekly.com
Exclusive Interview with Kenny Florian Just 24 Hours before His Main Event Fight
by Damon Martin - MMAWeekly.com
Shortly after the weigh-ins and just 24 hours away from his first main event fight, Kenny Florian spoke to MMAWeekly about the weigh-ins, his fight with Sam Stout, and the return of the UFC's lightweight division, as well as the re-signing of former UFC Lightweight Champion Jens Pulver.
"The weigh-in went great," said Florian. "I hit the weight perfectly. I got a strength and conditioning guy who just has it down to a science. He's a genius, and it was the easiest cut I've ever done. Very easy. It's good to not be so much of the little guy anymore."
Florian continued, "I'm excited because this is the weight class for me. I'm excited because the weight class is stacked, and I know this is the weight class where I can really shine and do well. My goal is to be world champion, and I know beating someone like Sam Stout and getting a chance to fight other top contenders will give me the chance to do that."
Having fought against Diego Sanchez in the middleweight finals of The Ultimate Fighter's first season, Florian has felt the same pressure that this year's Ultimate Fighter finalists are feeling. Fighting against Sam Stout will be Florian's first chance to be in the main event in front of a Las Vegas crowd and countless fans watching on Spike TV.
Recommended Articles
"It feels great. I didn't get a chance to fight Sam back in March, and it became a blessing in disguise," commented Florian. "It shows that the UFC is committed to showing off the little guys. Being there myself and having a main event at 155 is huge, and it's a real honor."
With the re-introduction of the lightweight division, Florian and Stout are two of the top names mentioned as possible contenders for the currently vacant Lightweight Title, but with names like Yves Edwards, Sean Sherk and now the uncrowned UFC Lightweight Champion, Jens Pulver, returning to the octagon, the division is stacked and the fights can only get tougher.
Florian said, "I think its unbelievable. Having Jens Pulver back in the UFC is huge. He's one of the guys I look up to. He's the real UFC champ, and having him in the division just adds excitement to it all. It would be a real honor to fight someone like that. He just adds to the fact that the UFC is committing to bringing in the top fighters in the world, and they're committed to this division. Having those guys around motivates me even more, and there are no easy fights."
While Ken-Flo wouldn't make a prediction about the light heavyweight or middleweight finals of The Ultimate Fighter 3, he was happy to tell the world how his fight with Sam Stout would end.
"Tomorrow, I'm finishing this fight," stated Florian. "I can't say whether it will be by knockout or submission, but I'm going to finish the fight. I'm going to be aggressive and show a versatile MMA game, and I'm not going to stop on the attack. On the feet or on the ground, I'm just looking to finish."
Kenny Florian will get his chance when he takes on Sam Stout in the main event of the UFC's Ultimate Finale broadcast, live on Spike TV on Saturday night, June 24th.
