Quote of the Day: Kenny Florian in It for the Right Reasons

by Luke Thomas on Aug 25, 2008 10:42 AM EDT in News Comment 15 comments

“Everyone thinks the title fight … that’s really going to bring in more [money],...I get the same amount of money if I fight for a title than if I fight Joe Stevenson or Wayne Weems from season five of ‘The Ultimate Fighter.’ My contract is set. Sure, there’s more prestige or whatever [with the title], but as far as making money … in boxing, you want the title fight because that guarantees you the big money.

“In the UFC, your contact really stays the same. The prestige comes with winning the belt, not the motivation of the money. I assume after this, then I’ll be fighting for the title. But again, I’m not sure. I’ve learned to take it one fight at a time, and any promises that are made can change very quickly.”

-- Kenny Florian describing his motivations to fight successfully. Florian faces Joe Stevenson at UFC 91 on Nov. 15 in Portland, Oregon.

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I got alot of respect for the guy because he just likes to fight and test himself. I think he takes stevenson. Joe Daddy hasn’t really looked that great his last couple of fights.

by asmiley420 on Aug 25, 2008 10:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I like Kenny, he’s got a good head on his shoulders. He does Boston proud.

by Chris Nelson on Aug 25, 2008 10:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’ve been a Kenny fan for a while but I just didn’t enjoy his last fight or his comments about Huerta greasing up. Hopefully we see a better Ken-Flo against Joe Daddy. I agree with asmiley420, Joe hasn’t really looked too good in his last fights.

by xFenixKnightx on Aug 25, 2008 10:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Joe’s fight with Tibau he was losing up until the Submission. B.J. just really outclassed him everywhere, and his fight with pellegrino he was out in some bad positions more than a few times. With that being said i dont think kenny will run right thru him.

by asmiley420 on Aug 25, 2008 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Still didn't like those elbows to the back of Lauzon's head.

But if he hadn’t done that, I’d be in the guy’s corner. So I don’t know if I’m being 100% irrational. It’s not like I’m a big Joe Lauzon fan, either…I just hate seeing guys knowingly and obviously spit on the rules like that.

Like I said, though..if he hadn’t done that, I’d be on the bandwagon.

There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.

by misterjonez on Aug 25, 2008 10:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Fair enough

Ultimately, though, I don’t consider him a dirty fighter.

by Luke Thomas on Aug 25, 2008 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm with you 100%.

That’s why I wonder if I’m just being irrational about that one instance.

I consider him one of the better prepared fighters out there. Not the most talented guy in the world, but a guy that comes in with a great gameplan for every opponent and sticks to it. Definitely the type of guy you can root for.

There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.

by misterjonez on Aug 25, 2008 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pretty sure those were to the top of the head which is perfectly legal.

Intentional Blog on Balls

by Richard Wade on Aug 25, 2008 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They were to the back of the head. Joe had a cut on the back of his head from the elbow strikes. It was illegal. I don’t remember if they took a point, but they atleast warned Kenny.

by szucconi on Aug 25, 2008 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There were three cuts to Lauzon's head.

And according to the pre-fight instructions, all of them were considered ‘back of the head.’

Link to MMAMania.com entry with picture.

There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.

by misterjonez on Aug 25, 2008 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can’t say I am a fan of Kenny, but I do like him. He is tough, smart and always gives it his all. That said, I can’t stand when guys say things like “it isn’t about the money”, because, in the end, it always comes down to the money.

Perhaps a better thing to say, would be, right now I’m not worried about the money, because, with exciting fights and hard work, titles and money will come. I don’t think any of us would be against a fighter getting their due, and Florian certainly has earned his opportunities.

As for the elbows, I hate them, but they are legal, so until the time they aren’t…

"The bigger the cushion, the sweeter the pushin'"

by BJJDenver on Aug 25, 2008 11:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Not a big fan of Kenny either but he is lethal. I hope Joe Daddy can keep the fight on the ground and pull off a submission victory before Kenny’s elbows leave him a bloody mess like BJ did to him.

by flyingknees on Aug 25, 2008 1:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Kenny takes Joe Daddy….

http://mma4real.net/

by Tha Realness on Aug 25, 2008 7:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The way I read that quote is a little different than everyone else. He’s admitting that this fight IS largely about the money. Whether he beats Joe Daddy, Griffin, or anyone else, he makes the same money — why rush to a difficult title bout with BJ when you can make the same money fighting a lesser opponent like Stevenson.

Kenny has made it pretty clear over the last few months — he is in no hurry to fight BJ. Probably because BJ is much better than the rest.

I told you I can't build your candy house! It will fall apart, the sun will melt the candy, it won't work!

by mma_dude on Aug 25, 2008 10:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

By the way Luke...

Because Kenny is a fellow MMA talk host, I know you don’t want to cast dispersions on him. But I think this post sheds some interesting light on Kenny’s motivations. However, I respect a guy who maintains such a high work ethic, constantly tries to improve his game, wants to give the fans what they want to see, and, at the same time, also recognizes the importance of money. Wanting money isn’t a bad thing — unless of course, you are a bad fighter (Ken Shamrock, Tito Ortiz). These guys’ motivations are apparent and disgusting.

I told you I can't build your candy house! It will fall apart, the sun will melt the candy, it won't work!

by mma_dude on Aug 25, 2008 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs