Bloody Elbow Exclusive: Kenny Florian Denies BJ Penn's Charge That He Tipped Penn off About GSP Greasing
by Michael Rome on Feb 11, 2009 8:34 PM EST
in News
78 comments
On a radio interview for his website, BJ Penn commented on a number of things today, including the news that Florian would be training at the Tristar gym for their upcoming fight. Upon hearing the news, BJ made a big accusation:
"Oh, that's funny, he's going to tristar? He's the who who tipped us off that GSP was going to be greasing...He actually emailed me and tipped me off."
This is a big charge considering the fact that the two men shared strategy before the fight and after, and especially considering the fact that the two will be training together. Bloody Elbow contacted Kenny Florian for a response, and he issued a flat denial:
"I don't even know BJ's email. How or why would I send that information?"
This looks like just another mind game from BJ Penn.
Update: Sherdog has more on this, including the longer quote:
“That is kind of surprising to me because Kenny is actually the guy who tipped us off that GSP was going to be greasing,” said Penn. “He actually e-mailed me and tipped me off.”
“I’ve never emailed a fighter about anything like that. I don’t even have B.J. Penn’s email,” a puzzled Florian told Sherdog.com on Tuesday. “I’d love to see that email. I would say print that email and show it to everybody. Where’s this mystery email?”
Florian, 32, also dispelled any possibility that the two had exchanged the alleged information by other means.
“I haven’t spoken to B.J. -- besides ‘hello’ -- since January of 2007,” he said. “I’ve never trained with [St. Pierre] in the past. I have no motive in saying that. Even if I knew, would I say that? I know of other fighters who have [greased] and I don’t say anything to anybody.”
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I thought Matt Serra was the one who tipped him off….Florian was never involved…
And training at Tristar would be great but I think training in Albuquerque, New Mexico would be even better. Not meant as an offense to Mark Dellagrotte but mixing it up with different fighters could help.
by rainmaker6 on Feb 11, 2009 8:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I think he’s doing a little bit of globetrotting. I seem to remember him saying he’ll be at Jackson for a time as well.
by Blackout612 on Feb 11, 2009 8:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I answered your thread about Torres btw – but in short..
imho – no one at 205 could beat Anderson Silva at 185. Rashad and Lyoto could probably make 185. I think both would have a chance to beat him but not as much chance as Faber or Yamamoto would have at beating Torres at 135.
by rainmaker6 on Feb 11, 2009 8:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, I saw
It’s a different argument is you’re just putting Silva and Edor up there. Take it down one more notch, you got a GSP. Take it down two notches, you got a Torres, Machida or Faber (kind of). In any case, Torres is near the top in P4P and that’s really the whole point of…. my point.
Disclosure: Miguel Torres is most probably my favorite fighter and I’m going to watch him rip off Bowles balls live April 5.
by Blackout612 on Feb 11, 2009 8:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yeh i figured
you’re obviously a big Torres fan.
He’s a good fighter and top ten P4P….
by rainmaker6 on Feb 11, 2009 9:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hes not the be all end all everybody thinks he is
Strength of competition. He doesn’t have it. He will lose soon as 135 starts to add depth. There wasn’t any semblance of a division not long ago. He’s been crushing dudes smaller than him for a long time. Now guys that have been undersized at 145 but still successful will drop down to a natural weight
Curran for example.
Gimme 1 Round!
by skwirrl on Feb 12, 2009 12:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
The point I was going to make.
He hasn’t got the strength of comp that other weight divisions have.
by rainmaker6 on Feb 12, 2009 1:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Talk about gang mentality
Shit is hilarious..
by Blackout612 on Feb 12, 2009 2:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He would beat all of the 145ers anyway so it doesn’t matter
by bigweeze on Feb 12, 2009 10:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If he went to Jackson he'd get busted for greasing
being as that camp has become the mecca for greasers. See Huerta vs Florian where Florian accused Huerta of greasing after winning
Gimme 1 Round!
by skwirrl on Feb 12, 2009 12:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Umm.........
He’s already going to Tristar. How much difference does that make?
by Blackout612 on Feb 12, 2009 3:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Amazing
I just read the comments on the linked page….everyone sure did assume that BJ is telling the truth, I think it’s correct in that another mind game has started.
by soadtrails on Feb 11, 2009 9:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
You say 'mind game', I say 'bitch fest'
Tomaeto-tomahto, I guess.
by subo on Feb 11, 2009 9:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I would be surprised if a stunt this elementary in nature will get BJ into Florian’s head. I believe KenFlo is a little to smart for that. BJ’s going to have to come up with some better shit, in my opinion.
by Cannon Jacques on Feb 11, 2009 9:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I agree
seems BJ is scared about KenFlo training with the person that just crushed him so bad…and is trying to create friction…..better shit indeed is needed.
by soadtrails on Feb 11, 2009 9:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Honestly
I think I can feel for BJ because he really does think that the (alleged!) greasing made a difference to his fight with GSP. He might not think that he would have won but….his mindset is …‘who knows??’
Having said that – I think he’s trying to fuck with Florian on this one and it’s not really him being whiny. Its him being the trash talker he is…
by rainmaker6 on Feb 11, 2009 9:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
lol – not gonna tkae the bait dude. It’s clear how you feel about this one.
by rainmaker6 on Feb 12, 2009 1:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Too much of a soap opera
Not sure if this is fight hype or just bj’s b.s. Either way, I’m over it.
"It's like a flying knuckle sandwich." --Rogan
"And many men have eaten it." -- Goldy
by thetakeover on Feb 11, 2009 9:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Believe Florian
I met Florian when he was in Minneapolis, and he was an extremely down to earth, honest, forthcoming guy during a radio interview I observed and afterward when I met him. I’m inclined to believe him over BJ on this and all else.
"It's like a flying knuckle sandwich." --Rogan
"And many men have eaten it." -- Goldy
by thetakeover on Feb 11, 2009 9:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
I love Kenny Florian – he’s definitely one of the most ‘together’ fighters (alongside people like Rich Franklin).
If I were to choose somebody to teach me MMA it would probably be Kenny Florian (pity I don’t live in Boston)
by rainmaker6 on Feb 11, 2009 9:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Besides that, it wouldn’t make any sense for Kenny to give BJ any advice leading up to the GSP fight. BJ winning would just screw over Kenny.
by Phildo on Feb 11, 2009 9:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Kos Says Everyone Cheats
I’ve got to ask since you’re one of the few former opponents of Georges St. Pierre who hasn’t weighed in on the greasing issue, but did he feel like he was greased up when you fought him?
I don’t really care too much to talk about Georges St. Pierre because I’m not fighting him any time soon, unless I win this fight and maybe one or two more. But with Georges, it is what it is. I think there’s a lot of people in this sport that cheat. A lot of people take Human Growth Hormone. Some people take steroids. People will try and cheat any way they can. For a person to cheat and take away money from someone else that way I think is pathetic. Do it the right way. Get your ass in there and train right. Do it the way normal people do it. I think it’s bad for the sport and I think it’s selfish when people try to cheat in this sport.
Are you saying that you think GSP intentionally tried to cheat against B.J. Penn?
Well, I mean, you don’t just rub grease on somebody and think it’s okay to do that. I think it’s bullshit.
by MMASuPreMaCy on Feb 11, 2009 9:33 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Interesting
I want to hear Koscheck and Fitch come out and be like – GSP cheats…
Do it the right way. Get your ass in there and train right. Do it the way normal people do it. I think it’s bad for the sport and I think it’s selfish when people try to cheat in this sport.
This is a bit bullshit because everyone knows GSP trains his ass off. But does he make use of every advantage he can? I don’t know… I’d like to think not but … it seems more and more possible.
by rainmaker6 on Feb 11, 2009 10:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
mmasupremacy left off the next question which was if kos thought gsp had greased agianst him during their fight. his response. HELL NO !
by bdw on Feb 11, 2009 10:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Kos says GSP didn't grease when they fought
From CagePotato:
A lot of former opponents of his, like Matt Hughes, have said he felt especially slippery to them. Did you feel any grease on him when you fought him?
Oh, no. I didn’t feel anything when I fought him. That isn’t the reason I lost that fight. The reason I lost the fight is because he was better than me that night.
by skeed on Feb 12, 2009 12:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'd been waiting for Kos or Fitch
You know – guys that don’t make excuses for their losses – to weigh in on this. It about what I figured. I always disliked that clown-haired motherfucker… But I respect his work ethic and the fact that he doesn’t fuckin whine. He may make a fan out of me the hard way. The same way Florian has gradually grown on me.
Gimme 1 Round!
by skwirrl on Feb 12, 2009 12:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm a Josh Koscheck fan
Maybe because I didn’t watch the TUF with him in it.
But he always trains hard and comes to fight.
by rainmaker6 on Feb 12, 2009 2:00 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m a Koscheck fan, and also missed out on his reality show antics. I’ve just seen what he does in the cage. He seems to be always improving, ready to take on any challenge, and fights with heart. Whats not to like about that?
by grb on Feb 12, 2009 5:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Clown-hair
that is all
Gimme 1 Round!
by skwirrl on Feb 12, 2009 12:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That’s pretty much exactly how I feel about Kos, too.
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
by AJB on Feb 12, 2009 7:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
LINK PLEASE
"the spirit of your average dumbass with more overblown rhetoric" OR "the self-appointed savior of MMA"
by Kid Nate on Feb 13, 2009 4:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ideal situation: Kenny beats BJ, and wins title. BJ leaves LW and spends the rest of UFC career being mauled 170lb monsters like John Fitch and Thiago Alves in an attempt to get a rematch with GSP. The LW title is defended every 5 months by Kenny/other champions.
by Ubernoober on Feb 11, 2009 9:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Enough is Enough
Can’t we catch a break from this greasing soap opera?
How about more UFC 95/96 coverage and less about who said what about whom.
by Flying Gogoplata on Feb 11, 2009 9:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Drive the bandwagon
I’m on board with you there, buddy.
by constantin3 on Feb 12, 2009 7:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Let’s see: KENFLO has trained with BJ in Hilo.
So, what, he just flew to Hilo and happened to stop by BJ’s gym and start training with him? I don’t know, I feel like it’s more likely that KENFLO would have contacted BJ before hand, via email, or on the phone, or perhaps by text message.
I really like KENFLO, something which I’ve only ever said about one other Red Sox fan. In fact, everything I know about muay thai was taught to me by KENFLO. Still, it is entirely impossible for me to believe that KENFLO had no avenue with which to communicate with BJ.
None of that is to suggest KENFLO actually tipped BJ off about GSP’s proclivity for having slippery substances spread across his back, shoulders, and neck. Then again, a denial that is so transparent certainly makes it easy for one’s suspicions to be piqued.
"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard
by Brett Jones on Feb 11, 2009 10:02 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
BJ never said anything about getting an email (at least in the quote above), so why would kenflo deny that form of communication explicitly? What he is saying is that he has no path for communication with any of the people who train with BJ or BJ himself when he has been to that camp and trained with BJ. I call bullshit. I mean I could possibly get a message to BJ if it was important enough. If Kenny did tip him off then I can see why he would both do it and then deny it. He wants BJ to stay up at WW so he can keep earning checks and be at the top or the LW class and he seems like a guy that doesn’t want to burn bridges anywhere. He is wicked smart like that. But someone is not really being totally truthful.
by szucconi on Feb 12, 2009 12:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He seemed utterly baffled by the charge in our correspondence.
He was in GSP’s camp in the few days before the fight. They discussed strategy, and Kenny said he changed his pick once he knew the strategy. He’s now going to train with GSP. I think the idea that he went and revealed to BJ a secret plan to grease is ridiculous. It’s far more likely Penn is just fucking with them.
by Michael Rome on Feb 12, 2009 12:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Also, I think analyzing his wording is probably a mistake. It was an email shot back in a few minutes, not a press release or something cleverly planned out.
by Michael Rome on Feb 12, 2009 12:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think Kenny is full of shit, I truely believe that BJ say stuff like that just to fuck with people, but still, I am a nobody and I have never been out of the eastern time zone and I have contacts inside Penn’s camp.
by szucconi on Feb 12, 2009 12:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly.
It’s 2009. If I wanted to, with the techonology available it would probably take me all of five minutes to get BJ’s phone number, for example; something I would, in fact, do if I wanted to train with him.
Which KENFLO has.
Again, my point is that this particular denial by KENFLO is rather conspicuous, especially from a guy who seems to be rather intelligent. Perhaps KENFLO is just freaking out because he doesn’t want the Tri-Star folks talking what BJ says too seriously. I doubt they would, anyhow.
"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard
by Brett Jones on Feb 12, 2009 12:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think he could have inadvertantly alerted BJ to GSP greasing
When he called Huerta out on greasing when he was fighting out of Jackson
Gimme 1 Round!
by skwirrl on Feb 12, 2009 2:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The hype for BJ vs. Kenny has begun! This is a GOOD sign – it means that BJ’s committed to fighting Kenny and is putting his welterweight dreams to bed for now.
by MMAEruption on Feb 11, 2009 11:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
It means that BJ is committed
to laying on the beach and beer bonging burritos and never doing anything to actually deserve the ranking that he’s given in the sport.
I fixed that one for
Gimme 1 Round!
by skwirrl on Feb 12, 2009 12:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
HOW?!?!
How do you beer bong a burrito?!
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Feb 12, 2009 9:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Talent.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on Feb 12, 2009 10:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ask BJ
I think it involves blending it into a delicious paste first
Gimme 1 Round!
by skwirrl on Feb 12, 2009 12:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That would require effort, BJ just rawdogs it on talent alone.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on Feb 12, 2009 1:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Kind of funny that his denial is – well, I don’t even have his email.
If BJ is making this shit up, I think it would be pretty f@#ked up.
He may just be trying to get some distrust between GSP and Kenny, get GSP to second guess if he should really be helping out and leave KenFlo with no way to admit it without looking way two faced.
I don’t know, if he is making this up, I will be very disappointed.
by dualdiagnosis on Feb 11, 2009 11:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I figure it’s just BJ and his mind games. If he is making this up, then he might actually be scared. It’s reasonable, considering how talented Florian is. BJ just got beaten up at WW, and now has his LW strap on the line. I hope Florian takes the belt.
by pud333 on Feb 11, 2009 11:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
If BJ has any proof, Florian said point blank to produce it. BJ won’t, because BJ is making stuff up, as usual, to fit his agenda.
BJ’s mind games failed miserably against GSP. Florian is already in Penn’s head for their fight by publicly stating he’ll be in Montreal training with GSP and Tristar.
by Hardcharger on Feb 12, 2009 9:30 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Its because BJ's mind games are largely targeted
at keeping BJ from needing to take a long look in the mirror in understanding any of his losses.
BJ is great, but until HE gets over his own greatness, he will never truely transcend the sport like he thinks he already does.
by Razreshat on Feb 12, 2009 10:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You’re absolutely correct. GSP and his camp had BJ pegged from the beginning. Everything they’ve said regarding his training, mindset, trash talking, excuse making, etc, has been spot on.
This is just the latest iteration of Penn attempting to cause a stir to try and rile up Florian while simultaneously trying to take shots at GSP. Florian already has the upper hand, though, by training with GSP which is what elicited these comments from Penn..
by Hardcharger on Feb 12, 2009 10:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Funny stuff. BJ knows how to get hype and attention for this fight.
by Pandanus on Feb 12, 2009 9:33 AM EST reply actions 3 recs
You do that photoshop?
I’ve never seen it before – if so thats a damn GJ
Gimme 1 Round!
by skwirrl on Feb 12, 2009 12:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm showing the world, this is good stuff
all you gotta do is...
by imapimp08 on Feb 13, 2009 10:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I love Kenny
and obviously, he got a first-hand account of fighting B.J. –- twice. He’s gone seven rounds with B.J., so that’s some good information to get. Hopefully Georges will forget about the email I sent B.J. Penn and share it with me.
Doesn’t he know that he isn’t supposed to feed the trolls?
by Phildo on Feb 12, 2009 10:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Is it just me or does:
"I know of other fighters who have [greased] and I don’t say anything to anybody."
Seem to be worded to sound like he’s saying that GSP greases? I’d like to know what’s being edited in those brackets.
Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones
by jemaleddin on Feb 12, 2009 11:04 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Huerta.
A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.
by iiowyn on Feb 12, 2009 1:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
brackets = “done it”, most likely. They cut out the “it” that he was referring to.
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
by AJB on Feb 12, 2009 7:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Wow, that really makes it sound like he’s saying GSP “done it.” You know? Hopefully just poorly phrased.
Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones
by jemaleddin on Feb 13, 2009 8:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
mmamania.com has part of the transcript of bj’s interview. he clearly states “he actually emailed me and tipped me off” when talking about the gresing. so i’m pretty sure that kenny did’nt just make the e-mail stuff up andit seems pretty obviuos as to who is lying here.
by bdw on Feb 12, 2009 1:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
When did this supposed email take place? Before, after?
It just doesn’t make alot of sense.
If before, then why didn’t Penn’s team handle the fight differently. And if after, what was the point, everyone saw the video.
Again, this sounds like Penn talking out his ass for some unfathomable reason.
by Razreshat on Feb 12, 2009 2:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The Penn camp alerted the commission that the greasing may happen before the fight. Serra supposedly was the source.
by dualdiagnosis on Feb 12, 2009 4:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
thanks for the update
it seems that some are questioning why kenny said email, when bj never said it supposedly. hopefully most will catch it
by bdw on Feb 12, 2009 3:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
BJ has a new thing today saying Kenny texted someone in his camp about it and also alerted him that GSP is a big roider. Seriously, BJ’s descent is horrifying to watch for me.
by Michael Rome on Feb 12, 2009 5:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah we know how you feel about BJ
You post about it all the time. He actually is coming right out and saying that Florian is a liar and that he was right “it wasn’t an email; it was a text”; basically answering the allegation that he had made this whole thing up. If he makes a claim that Florian warned him about greasing; Florian denies the claim basically saying “you’re a liar, produce the email”; then wouldn’t it have been pretty f*ing stupid for BJ NOT to go on his website and clarify the situation and stand by his position?
Don’t worry, we get it, you don’t like BJ Penn.
by MauiPimpin on Feb 12, 2009 7:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Leave it to BJ
To start up with the roids bullshit again. He lost me as a fan the last time he did it. Now I’ve lost all respect for him.
by Blackout612 on Feb 12, 2009 10:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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