Irish Whip Fighting Exclusive: Kenny Florian Interview

In his first post-Thomas fight interview. Hear Kenny Florian talk about the Din Thomas fight, The Ultimate Fighter, and his future.


Irish Whip Fighting: What was your game plan going into the Din Thomas fight?

Kenny Florian: The game plan with Din was to be patient on the feet, technical and to pick my shots. I wanted to break his boxer's rhythm and frustrate him with kicks and movement. I also wanted to put a lot of pressure on him with takedowns and ground and pound. I wanted to mix it up on him and keep him guessing as to what I would do next.

IWF: You also mentioned that as of that fight, you "got mean." Can you tell us about that?

KF: It really wasn't that fight that started it. It was after the Sherk fight that got me to realize that you need to see each event as a true fight not a competition. You have to be mean. Your opponent is going to try to hurt you and you must hurt him first without mercy.

IWF: You clearly dominated a very experienced fighter in Din Thomas. How does it feel knowing that you can compete with the best in your weight class?

KF: I felt that I was ready for the best and that fight was a small example of what I can do against top competition. I still have a lot to learn and a lot to show everyone.

IWF: Since your decision loss to Sherk (which is one of my favorite all time fights, by the way), you've won three in a row, and finished them all. What do you attribute to this recent success?

KF: Thanks. The way that I train now is night and day. First of all I am healthy now. I don't have a back injury that stops me from training or makes things like walking painful. I put everything I have into fighting now. I train like an animal and I train for the worst case scenario. Everything is planned, training is scientific and I try to do what few do to be successful.

IWF: You have defeated Kit Cope, Sam Stout, Dokonjonosuke Mishima, and Din Thomas via Rear Naked Choke. Would you call this a specialty of yours? Or does the opportunity just always arise?

KF: I have a 100% success rate when I have taken someone's back in MMA. It is a technique that few really understand. I practice this a lot and I am sure I will find even more details to make this technique perfect. The RNC is the most efficient and most effective move in all of the martial world. The true goal and most fun is the search for perfect technique in all areas. This goal goes beyond any title or any money you can win.

IWF: Who would you like to take on next? Maybe the winner of Penn-Sherk? Or a rematch against Sanchez?

KF: I am ready for whatever comes my way. I am just going to train hard and be prepared for an incredible opponent.

IWF: Where do you see yourself in the title picture? Are you going to continue to destroy contenders until you get a shot?

KF: That is the plan. I don't ask for specific fights nor do I put together fights for the UFC. I am just going to concentrate on what I need to do to get better and prepare for the best opponents. I just want to challenge myself and fight the best.

IWF: Do you think you could beat Sean Sherk if given a second opportunity?

KF: I hate saying I could beat "so and so" especially when that opponent already beat you. I would much rather say nothing and prove it. God willing, I will fight for the title again someday.

IWF: The PRIDE guys really seem to be having a hard time with the UFC guys. Is that due to PRIDE being weaker than people thought, UFC guys being better, or something else entirely?

KF: Both Pride and UFC fighters are tough and very good. Let's get that out of the way. Pride fighters have had to adjust to the rule changes, to the environment changes etc . . . It comes down to the same factors all the time in any event. 1st, MMA is unpredictable and 2nd, styles make fights.

IWF: Can you tell us a little about Sityodtong MMA? It seems to be working great.

KF: I believe that my trainers are the best. Mark DellaGrotte (Muay Thai/MMA), my brother Keith (BJJ/MMA) and Kevin Kearns my strength and conditioning coach deserve a lot of credit. I truly believe we are ahead of what everyone else is doing. I think this is due to us having open minds and developing new trends and not following what others are doing. There is only one day that I feel I am the best and that is on fight night. Every other time, I am training hard and filling in the holes in my game in fear that someone with the right skills will expose my weaknesses. This drives me everyday. I always try to challenge myself and try to constantly learn new things and improve beyond any perceived limits I may have on technique or what I think MMA is. I go to the gym like I know nothing. Guys think they know it all and like they have it all figured it out. This is their big downfall. I know I still have to learn sooooooo much. I know that MMA will never stop evolving and I need to be constantly learning and developing new techniques and I also need to look at techniques of old as well. My trainers all have that same mentality. No stone can be left unturned. I am also always training with different people as well and stealing what I can. My brother and I always watch tape of various mma events and look for both successful and failed techniques in mma. There is much to learn from past fights.

IWF: Joe Rogan always makes it a point to talk about your sharp elbows. Is your elbow work something you've had to develop or has it always been there?

KF: Elbow techniques must be practiced constantly. I am still waiting for the time where I will get one for the KO. I always throw them to KO and not to cut so I will hopefully get the elbow KO one day.

IWF: How much do you think that being on The Ultimate Fighter has helped your career?

KF: I am fighting in the UFC because of it so it has helped my career tremendously. MMA in general is popular in a large part because of the success of that show.

IWF: What's your take on the steroid issue?

KF: Steroids should have no part in any sport especially in a sport where hurting another individual is involved. It's cheating. When does it stop? If they use steroids, I will bring in a knife? Is this the mentality? Anything to win? There is no honor in using PED's in MMA and I think there are going to be cowards in all sports who are willing to take those risks.

IWF: I've been looking for a KenFlo shirt, but I can't find any! Are you planning on making some?

KF: I have limited edition shirts made up after each fight and they sell out within a couple weeks every time. I have some now but I don't sell them on the web yet. Hopefully I will do that soon. I try to save them for the local peeps and my students and seminar participants. Otherwise they kick my ass.

IWF: Are there any sponsors that you would like to thank?

KF: I have some great sponsors like Sprawl Fight shorts, VersaClimber, Tourtellote Solutions, NHBGear.com, and TUF Guy Productions.

IWF: Anything to say to your fans?

KF: Thank you so much for all of the support. Please stop by my website for news and info or hit me up on my myspace page and say hello. Kennyflorian.com and myspace.com/kenflo. I have the best fans in the world and I hope to make many more.