Kenny Florian Predicts Cheick Kongo Over Frank Mir, BJ Penn Over Diego Sanchez

by Luke Thomas on Dec 10, 2009 4:33 PM EST in MMA News

Let's hope Mir doesn't pull a Josh Barnett and challenge Florian's manhood for making an honest evaluation of talent.

On the Lavar Arrington Show With Chad Dukes on 106.7 The Fan in Washington, DC, UFC lightweight contender was asked to make predictions for this weekend's two main events. Never one to give a prediction out of fealty, Florian believes Mir will have difficulty taking Kongo to the mat:

Chad Dukes: Give us a winner for Cheick Kongo and Frank Mir, which everybody should be excited about. And then the main event two guys that you’ve faced before, Nightmare vs. BJ Penn.

Kenny Florian: Sure. That Cheick Kongo and Frank Mir fight, a very interesting fight. Both guys are pretty well-rounded, but this is kind of your classic striker vs. grappler match-up.

Kongo really offered a lot of problems for Cain Velazquez early on in that first round. He was able to catch Cain Velazquez coming in. Cain is a tough, tough guy with tremendous wrestling skills, so he was able to do that [use his wrestling skill] consistently and with amazing cardio.

I don’t think Mir has the same kind of takedowns as Velazquez, but he definitely has better submissions. I’m actually going to go with the upset. I think Kongo’s going to pull it off and catch Mir early in the first or second round.

I confess this is a worry of mine, but where Velazquez was forced to continually take Kongo down because he could not finish the Frenchman from turtle guard, Mir would ostensibly be able to do more with that position. That's the trade off here: Mir won't be able to get Kongo to the ground as easily, but should be able to come much closer to putting Kongo away with a submission than Velazquez.

As for the main event itself, the essential item of note from Florian is this:

"I think BJ’s better at everything Sanchez does."

Which is really the only analysis one needs for this bout, no? Short of an aberrant occurrence, this is Penn's fight to lose.

Listen to the whole thing here.

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Comments

agreed

hope mir wins, but i just got this feeling…

by Ronnie Liddle on Dec 10, 2009 4:03 PM EST reply actions

KENFLO Picks Penn, Kongo

I agree with one of those picks.

Twitter @brettcjones
"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard

by Brett Jones on Dec 10, 2009 4:16 PM EST reply actions

I think we can agree that the use of “Kenflo” should be outlawed.

Follow me on Twitter @lelandroling
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein

by Leland Roling on Dec 10, 2009 4:18 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

It amuses me in its terribleness.

Not J-Lau, though. That’s just bad, not bad enough to the point of amusement.

Twitter @brettcjones
"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard

by Brett Jones on Dec 10, 2009 4:29 PM EST up reply actions

With both of those nicknames, these guys should be wearing warm up suits and be in hip-hop dance squads. Also Kango hats.

Some people think I am a dumb, ugly human being, but really I am a beautiful ape, with exceptional verbal skills.

by szucconi on Dec 10, 2009 4:31 PM EST up reply actions

Be whiter.

It’s Kangol.

Twitter @brettcjones
"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard

by Brett Jones on Dec 10, 2009 4:32 PM EST up reply actions

Its true, I am very white both because I was born that way and I get very little sun. And I meant what ever goofy shit LL Cool J wore in the late eighties. I get that I missed an L, but so fing what.

Some people think I am a dumb, ugly human being, but really I am a beautiful ape, with exceptional verbal skills.

by szucconi on Dec 10, 2009 4:38 PM EST up reply actions

You’re one nerdy honky, that’s what.

Twitter @brettcjones
"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard

by Brett Jones on Dec 10, 2009 4:45 PM EST up reply actions

I agree with you and Mr. Jones. Fun fact about Cheick Kongo. Kongo or Congo is his last name as much as Crocop is Mirko Crocop’s last name.

Some people think I am a dumb, ugly human being, but really I am a beautiful ape, with exceptional verbal skills.

by szucconi on Dec 10, 2009 4:30 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

Indeed.

Cheick Guillaume.

Twitter @brettcjones
"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard

by Brett Jones on Dec 10, 2009 4:33 PM EST up reply actions

Oh, that’s his middle name.

Ouedraogo is his last name.

Cheick Guillaume Ouedraogo.

Twitter @brettcjones
"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard

by Brett Jones on Dec 10, 2009 4:36 PM EST up reply actions

Which is a kick ass last name. At least it looks cool. I only speak a little french, so I won’t pronounce it.

Some people think I am a dumb, ugly human being, but really I am a beautiful ape, with exceptional verbal skills.

by szucconi on Dec 10, 2009 4:39 PM EST up reply actions

We wouldn’t be able to hear you anyways. So go ahead.

by 831 Son on Dec 10, 2009 4:42 PM EST up reply actions

I did it and I spoke perfect french for about 15 minutes. Too bad you couldn’t hear me.

Some people think I am a dumb, ugly human being, but really I am a beautiful ape, with exceptional verbal skills.

by szucconi on Dec 10, 2009 4:44 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

No kidding. Ouedraogo is way cooler than “Kongo.”

by kid_eh on Dec 10, 2009 4:44 PM EST up reply actions

I work with a Ouedraogo, and every time she gives out her last name, she says it, waits, a half-second, then immediately re-pronounces and spells it.

I rarely tweet
I less-rarely write

by woomikee on Dec 10, 2009 5:00 PM EST up reply actions

Well, did you tell her that she was supposed to change it to Kongo?

Twitter @brettcjones
"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard

by Brett Jones on Dec 10, 2009 5:01 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

haha

by dancingChicken on Dec 11, 2009 10:29 AM EST up reply actions

That name ain’t French.

by Dooda on Dec 10, 2009 5:49 PM EST up reply actions

But the man is and it was an inside joke.

Some people think I am a dumb, ugly human being, but really I am a beautiful ape, with exceptional verbal skills.

by szucconi on Dec 10, 2009 5:57 PM EST up reply actions

It was probably hilarious too. I wish I was in on it.

by Dooda on Dec 10, 2009 6:05 PM EST up reply actions

I was. And it was.

Twitter @brettcjones
"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard

by Brett Jones on Dec 10, 2009 6:11 PM EST up reply actions

I could sense it.

by Dooda on Dec 11, 2009 6:27 PM EST up reply actions

Really? Where the hell did they get Kongo from? At least Crocop is (or WAS) a CRO COP. Is Kongo from the Democratic Republic of the Congo? :\

by IImastersII on Dec 10, 2009 4:56 PM EST up reply actions

He’s a giant black dude. He probably chose to play to the racial angle.

Or maybe his dad is from DRC.

It could be worse. His mother is from Burkina Faso.

Twitter @brettcjones
"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard

by Brett Jones on Dec 10, 2009 5:01 PM EST up reply actions

Cheick Faso?

by CaptnAmerca on Dec 10, 2009 5:08 PM EST up reply actions

The country is typically known as Burkina, so it would be Cheick Burkina.

That’s about the least tough name ever.

Twitter @brettcjones
"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard

by Brett Jones on Dec 10, 2009 5:26 PM EST up reply actions

Capital city of Burkina Faso: Ouagadougou.

That’s almost his last name.

I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.

by Llewdor on Dec 10, 2009 5:29 PM EST up reply actions

Mmm

His father is Congolese.
More interesting, kongo trained karate AND…greco roman wrestling before doing any kickboxing.

"You talk too much, too much, too much..."

by spectaa on Dec 10, 2009 6:11 PM EST up reply actions

His real nickname is apparently “Kingo Kongo”. It listed like that on Wiki, which links back to NSAC paperwork.

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett

by Scott C. Broussard on Dec 10, 2009 5:52 PM EST up reply actions

Embarrassed that I wasnt aware of that, Rec’d

Giving Shogun his props. I had the fight 48-47 Machida but Shogun put up a monumental performance and I am honored to have seen it in person.

by Day Man on Dec 10, 2009 4:41 PM EST up reply actions

Lol, I’m embarassed to admit that I’m a big fan of Kongo and I never knew that.

The only thing Jon Jones does better than Matt Hamill is hear.
(And smash faces)

by ufc4 on Dec 10, 2009 5:18 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

“I agree with the second part.”

by IImastersII on Dec 10, 2009 4:53 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed with both.

People seem to think that because an incredible wrestler in Cain Velasquez took Kongo down, Mir will be able to do the same just as easily. I have my doubts.

Without pain, without sacrifice, we would have nothing.

by lowellthehammer on Dec 10, 2009 4:20 PM EST reply actions

Let's see, Kenny.

BJ Penn doesn’t use muay thai, doesn’t have the better cardio, doesn’t have a background in wrestling.

BJ still wins though.

by 831 Son on Dec 10, 2009 4:20 PM EST reply actions

Not having a background in wrestling doesn’t mean he cannot wrestle.

Someone will want to reference Georges St. Pierre at this time, which I think is an unfair comparison. But BJ’s is a good wrestler.

Twitter @brettcjones
"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard

by Brett Jones on Dec 10, 2009 4:32 PM EST up reply actions

BJ’s what is a good wrestler?

The only thing Jon Jones does better than Matt Hamill is hear.
(And smash faces)

by ufc4 on Dec 10, 2009 5:21 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Oh geez I ain’t gonna say it.

Though I see no way for Sanchez to win this, I still think that this fight is gonna be Hella entertaining.

BJ’s boxing is way better than Sanchez’s Muay Thai, and he does use it as evidenced by that knee he used on Sherk (among others). A background in wrestling means nothing, did you see how he dominated Stevenson from the top? BJ’s mma wrestling is at least as good as Sanchez’s as far as I can tell. But it’s all just warm air billowing from my hairy arse until we see it for real tomorrow night (the fight, not my arse).

by Dooda on Dec 10, 2009 5:54 PM EST up reply actions

At one point in time that said “But BJ’s wrestling is good.”

I edited some of it, but as you were kind enough to point out, not all of it.

Twitter @brettcjones
"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard

by Brett Jones on Dec 10, 2009 6:12 PM EST up reply actions

I want Mir to win.

I do like him, regardless of his delusions of grandeur, because he’s fun to watch in the cage and he can hype a fight better than anyone. I also want to see Mir/Nog II, Mir/Lesnar III for obvious reasons. The only way these fights can happen soon is if Mir keeps on winning. But I have a nasty feeling Kongo will drop Mir in the first round. Mir won’t want to trade with Kongo, who only really needs to land one big punch to drop him, which is what I sort of expect. the closer the fight gets, the more I am edging towards Kongo with the upset.

I love me some Sexyama!

by pud333 on Dec 10, 2009 4:28 PM EST reply actions

I like Mir (not as a person though, he seems douchey, 4 popped collars douchey), but I’m with Kongo here, I was disappointed with his last fight, he wasn’t in good shape and it showed.

"You talk too much, too much, too much..."

by spectaa on Dec 10, 2009 4:40 PM EST up reply actions

I hope the chick with that guy in the 4 popped collars pic is his sister because no guy who would do that deserves to have a girlfriend that hot.

The only thing Jon Jones does better than Matt Hamill is hear.
(And smash faces)

by ufc4 on Dec 10, 2009 5:23 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Mir/NogII

can happen regardless, Mir/LesnarIII on the other hand can’t unless he wins. My hops are the Mir loses, but it seems unlikely.

by proflex on Dec 10, 2009 7:11 PM EST up reply actions

Rooting for Kongo here

Granted, I’ve only seen him fight since he arrived in the UFC but i’ve became a fan of his. I also cant stand Mir if im completly honest. Watched the 107 countdown earlier and his pre fight build up although effectively hyping the fight, comes across as blunt arrogance, to the point that i almost think he is hugely underestimating Cheick. I agree with Florian (and you, Luke) regarding BJ/Diego. Its Penn’s fight to lose.

"I want to tell me what you see, lets go ahead and see by the fight, what you saw, in the ring" -Tito Ortiz, MMA's finest commentator.

by TOON_UF on Dec 10, 2009 4:35 PM EST reply actions

“I think BJ’s better at everything Sanchez does.”

Unfortunately for the 155ers I think this sentence is true if you replace Sanchez with pretty much any lightweight in the world.

Giving Shogun his props. I had the fight 48-47 Machida but Shogun put up a monumental performance and I am honored to have seen it in person.

by Day Man on Dec 10, 2009 4:43 PM EST reply actions

I dont think BJ is better at YUS! Cartwheels

by IRodC on Dec 10, 2009 4:45 PM EST up reply actions

Touche. The Ultimate Warrior promo advantage in this fight is clearly in Sanchez’ favor.

Giving Shogun his props. I had the fight 48-47 Machida but Shogun put up a monumental performance and I am honored to have seen it in person.

by Day Man on Dec 10, 2009 4:51 PM EST up reply actions

This

by Neil Manich on Dec 10, 2009 7:09 PM EST up reply actions

Mir’s best chance here is to go for leglocks. He doesn’t need to take Kongo down to get a leglock, and Kongo should be vulnerable to them.

I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.

by Llewdor on Dec 10, 2009 4:45 PM EST reply actions

Mir doesn’t necessarily have to land a bunch of TDs.

He’s pretty adept at pulling guard as well. And he can shoot for a TD, get stuffed, but turn it into a guard pull. Mission accomplished.

by Hardcharger on Dec 10, 2009 4:54 PM EST reply actions

Bad idea

Kongo is a shitty wrestler, but his GNP is brutal.

"I’m sorry. I didn’t drink last night, so I’m not funny today."
-Sakuraba

by Blackout612 on Dec 10, 2009 5:34 PM EST up reply actions

I thought to “pull a Josh Barnett” was to test positive for steriods and ruin an event?

Keep firing Assholes!

Fedor has accomplished nothing until he fights Kimbo.

by Ubernoober on Dec 10, 2009 5:09 PM EST reply actions

I thought to "pull a Josh Barnett" was to test positive for steriods and ~~ruin an event~~ destroy a promotion?

Fixed for ya ;)

by soadtrails on Dec 10, 2009 5:30 PM EST up reply actions

-Steroids

=M-1.

"I’m sorry. I didn’t drink last night, so I’m not funny today."
-Sakuraba

by Blackout612 on Dec 10, 2009 5:35 PM EST up reply actions

Mir actually can take a punch better than people give him credit for...

He’s also a bit quicker and stronger than his haters acknowledge. I think he’ll be able to get the takedown and work for a submission.

I'm like PacMan fightin you silly kids... throw ya Hatton the ring, and get knocked outlike Ricky did.
lol.

by Loot on Dec 10, 2009 5:27 PM EST reply actions

I don’t think he’s gonna be as quick after putting on 15-20 pounds.

The only thing Jon Jones does better than Matt Hamill is hear.
(And smash faces)

by ufc4 on Dec 10, 2009 5:30 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I like the thought of Mir blocking punches with his face

by soadtrails on Dec 10, 2009 5:31 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

He's got that down pat

after UFC 100. That’s total technique over strength and Frank will tell you so.

Hadoken!!

by Brizzle T on Dec 10, 2009 5:45 PM EST up reply actions

I bet Kongo hits harder than Mir’s little sister.

The only thing Jon Jones does better than Matt Hamill is hear.
(And smash faces)

by ufc4 on Dec 10, 2009 5:46 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Have you seen his shot?

He’s like the opposite of Valasquez.

"I’m sorry. I didn’t drink last night, so I’m not funny today."
-Sakuraba

by Blackout612 on Dec 10, 2009 5:36 PM EST up reply actions

I know he lacks good wrestling period, but...

I STILL thinks he takes Kongo down and subs him.

I'm like PacMan fightin you silly kids... throw ya Hatton the ring, and get knocked outlike Ricky did.
lol.

by Loot on Dec 10, 2009 6:30 PM EST up reply actions

You’re right. Trouble is that Kongo likes (for god knows what reason) to clinch sometimes. If Kongo comes in with a way smarter game plan, he could get the W. Trouble is he doesn’t dictate the pace, and capitalize on his opponents’ weaknesses….which I think shows you that at 7-3 just how f’in good his natural striking talent is…

by TLow on Dec 11, 2009 2:38 AM EST up reply actions

I agree that if Kongo fights a little smarter he can win this, but he’ll have to show much quicker footwork than against Cain. The guy seems to have a lot going on outside the cage with the clothing company, and I just wonder if it’s affected him in the past. Hopefully this camp was intense and he’ll be quicker on his feet and able to dictate the pace and distance. If he can keep Frank off him early I think Kongo will drop him.

by Kwisatz Haderach on Dec 11, 2009 2:54 AM EST up reply actions

Anybody remember Mir vs Brandon Vera?

I am blinded by a sea of green.

by bubbafat on Dec 10, 2009 5:32 PM EST reply actions

Vera does

"I’m sorry. I didn’t drink last night, so I’m not funny today."
-Sakuraba

by Blackout612 on Dec 10, 2009 5:36 PM EST up reply actions

Therefore, Anton does.

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett

by Scott C. Broussard on Dec 10, 2009 5:54 PM EST up reply actions

But Frank's stanup is so great now

He’ll even tell you so. Didn’t you see the Nog fight?

Hadoken!!

by Brizzle T on Dec 10, 2009 6:18 PM EST up reply actions

standup dammit

Hadoken!!

by Brizzle T on Dec 10, 2009 6:18 PM EST up reply actions

As much as I dislike Mir I would prefer Kongo to lose so that they can set up a fight between him and Kimbo. If Kongo wins he will want the next fighter to be top 5 but if if losses then great position for the UFC to offer that fight to him coming off back to back losses. Kimbo and Kongo would be a good fight to promote and to watch.

by Joselana on Dec 10, 2009 6:25 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Holy crap man

I know people don’t like Kimbo, but you want to have him murdered?? What did he ever do to you?

"I’m sorry. I didn’t drink last night, so I’m not funny today."
-Sakuraba

by Blackout612 on Dec 10, 2009 6:26 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t think he would get murdered at all. I think Kimbo would have a decent chance. He would probably work more on his ground game for that one but I think he could hang with Kongo for a bit

by Joselana on Dec 10, 2009 6:29 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Wow

The only time this fight would go to the mat is when KO’d Kimbo hits it.

"I’m sorry. I didn’t drink last night, so I’m not funny today."
-Sakuraba

by Blackout612 on Dec 10, 2009 6:33 PM EST up reply actions

Are you serious ??

by bawzz on Dec 10, 2009 7:27 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t think he would get murdered at all.

Wrong.

I think Kimbo would have a decent chance.

Wrong.

He would probably work more on his ground game for that one but I think he could hang with Kongo for a bit

Trifecta.

The only thing Jon Jones does better than Matt Hamill is hear.
(And smash faces)

by ufc4 on Dec 10, 2009 11:27 PM EST up reply actions

Kimbo, his management, Dana, and Joe Silva wouldn’t allow that to happen.

Spinning out solid gold, like Rumpelstiltskin.

by Heenan on Dec 10, 2009 6:40 PM EST up reply actions

Unless they decide they hate him.

by kid_eh on Dec 10, 2009 7:00 PM EST up reply actions

Do they milk the cow and have milk for a while or do they kill it and have one glorious feast?

Some people think I am a dumb, ugly human being, but really I am a beautiful ape, with exceptional verbal skills.

by szucconi on Dec 10, 2009 7:23 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

ONly person wants to see that fight is Bas Rutten

by TLow on Dec 11, 2009 2:39 AM EST up reply actions

HAHAHAHAHA

This is almost as funny as a thread on another site where some dude said Kimbo should either fight Pat Barry, Hardonk, or Cro Cop next.

Hadoken!!

by Brizzle T on Dec 11, 2009 9:31 AM EST up reply actions

I agree with Kenny...

Hope Kongo doesn’t ruin it for me.

by CSKit on Dec 10, 2009 7:28 PM EST reply actions

Nuff Said

“I think BJ’s better at everything Sanchez does.”

by bignerd on Dec 11, 2009 1:46 AM EST reply actions

Except that he isn’t, i’m no Sanchez fan but he has alot of the tools needed to beat BJ anyone one that thinks this is going to be an easy win for Penn is out of their minds.

by Raker on Dec 11, 2009 4:34 AM EST reply actions