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Retired UFC fighter Kenny Florian talks about his career, Silva vs. Sonnen and more this Fox News Latino interview.
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Fox News -- Victor Garcia here talking with Kenny Florian the recently retired Kenny Florian at nine years.
Just short of ten right and and you decide to call it quits.
What what was the reason that you finally made that -- painful decision.
Sure you know.
The back injury you know I had a back injury -- I suffered.
In November.
Believe that at new injury and you know just wasn't able to get back to normal training schedule it's been several months and it's several -- getting back and getting help the end.
Com.
You know I just haven't been able it do it at that and I've always been the ones that can never really.
Doing a thing on how speech you know on the spot under the -- our -- more than had a blast I don't watch -- -- -- -- and when I was able to do that that I knew it was time I call it -- and let people know that done.
Well -- you kind of start at the beginning of the emergence of the UFC which of course was that first season of the Ultimate Fighter.
I was watching and I believe you have C tonight.
Last night and they had a little piece about how special that cast was.
Did you think it was gonna turn into this -- where you are right now with a fox steel and and your position.
Absolutely not you know I -- how that is sure it would make its cable television it'll it'll look below what it is today you know they've got depth and there was something magical about the first season and just I was very lucky to be a part of it you know you -- before you before I accepted you know you on the show.
-- -- -- the Ultimate Fighter.
I'm being a fighter in the USC was -- exactly what I wanted to do I just really wanted to give.
-- -- -- an instructor and compete in that it really at the time had no idea that.
-- wanted to be a professional you -- fighter.
What you did and you competed in over -- -- you can compete over you could be in four different weight classes in the you'll see something that.
And nobody else is done.
What do you what do why did you go from so many different weight -- what was the the reasoning for that.
-- you know originally I would.
It honored the five -- you know I was fighting I ever got away and Erika -- for pursuing huge tournaments I got a -- -- -- For her it -- fights and locally in Boston.
I was just.
I'm aware of -- in a -- that was that just go to the mayors want a usually was up I always -- walking around hundreds.
Sixty pounds.
And that you know I -- once said that you know -- idea.
Just didn't know any better and you know what what I -- Was offered the position it to be part of the -- -- it was not a 185 pounds and I was about 170 pounds of the time -- just did everything I could occasionally.
Got to may be I think at the heaviest 178.
So that was the -- hundreds navigate around Baghdad -- -- guiding me make 180 Ellis fighting -- that won 75.
185 and back then they actually had gotten rid of the hundred gig iPod division a lot of people forget that what BJ -- drew would call -- -- at that hundred.
Five -- a tournament.
They got rid of that matter of fact -- divisions the lightest weight they had with a 170.
So after that -- that the Ultimate Fighter.
You know sitting down route I was fighting at 170 and then finally -- brought 205 -- division back -- -- I want to -- five.
And ultimately tried my hand at 145.
At the end of my career right.
What we saw a year and applicants are malnourished -- -- Yeah tolerable frame you know you you you get down to 1454.
For Jose Aldo.
Which was you know -- which ended up being now you'll your last fight.
You went all five rounds -- -- he's considered one of the best in the world you fought for three titles.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- You know.
How does -- feel the are you OK with that last fight against the Jose -- -- being you know your final go in the octagon.
You know you know I I wish.
Had a little bit more for that fight you know but I knew going in 240.
Division there.
I may have not been.
That I won't be at honors you know that may not have.
The energy want these five -- about the strength of that while you you know just from the the wake up and you know I accepted those things and those are things that we all need -- you do what you make a decision that -- you can't sit there and start making excuses and you know at 140 -- it was I was but I was more happy that.
Think it is a wake up against -- -- although you know maybe the top guy pound for -- out there are so.
We had a good -- it was a close fight and -- had a great time doing it I know like get everything possible.
In my training.
And everything possible to make it -- -- That -- the go to -- you know and it is it bill.
An amazing timing me it is evening where he stands for.
-- You're.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- so I apologize I -- myself down there but yet -- Boston College grad he played varsity.
Soccer you use your Smart guy you articulate you do very well in your broadcasting that's why you're in the position you're in now and everyone said you know you have met the worries could end up being a broadcaster for the UFC.
And you know.
Was that something that you know you you wanted to kind of changes stereotype that the fighters were -- Yep for sure you know I am not the only one who's a college educated and Smart there's a Smart guys out there -- guys who are.
You know have have a very intelligent approach -- -- good role models and things but yeah you know I'd give my best -- you know change -- -- -- -- I heard that it would always say like you know the jet before it looks like an accountant yeah looks at.
It it quite active in the early -- -- -- the that was cool way to fail it would.
Political perspective everyone has a different story.
You know just guys who lore you know.
Street fighters and you know dog off the -- to fight it I had a lot of other options and license and hopefully it changed.
Perception -- of enemy fighters.
Now well let's talk about.
Some of the do the things that are going on right now the lightweight division.
It is probably one of the best divisions in the UFC it's -- funny talk about how you know 155 and below.
At one point didn't exist -- the you'll -- -- you get some of the most exciting fight.
-- it you know and you've spent a lot that's probably the vision scrambles your time in the lightweight division yet yet to title shots.
Right now who who do you think it's the best.
You know and all of -- up.
Who who do you think is the best lightweight fighter out there.
You don't -- it up you know that there's so many great guys out -- -- now you know you have -- Anderson of course the current champion.
-- -- Frankie Edgar right there they had such a close last fight those two guys right now are at all.
Guys in my opinion.
It's -- because there's so many.
-- -- -- -- -- -- And that everything you know I have a guy like -- through it would -- Gray Maynard.
But -- great -- matches up better against that the Anderson that she does that he had BJ Penn who came -- that.
Maybe not many people competed -- break yet here matchup really wicked BJ -- I want the people -- -- It's such an interstate division you have kind of the best of all the qualities of audio C fighters and maybe once that you may build a better fit you know also carrying a little bit more power than -- pounders but.
Yeah I would suggest such a dynamic fast pace division -- so many great guys there that on any given day -- -- and then whoever's acts against sue but.
It is it just to get -- stick division that.
Hopefully gets resolved with with a expert -- that that the Anderson by you know that to determine.
You know the real option -- -- that last fight took -- -- away.
I would not have known I was very close.
Originally the way that you can't fight scores the weight that you see judges typically score quite an outbreak yet there was gonna squeeze it out.
Certainly -- that the Anderson.
It did more damage against Frankie Edgar.
How the closer.
Finishes in the fight you know Fred Kagan really at no point was was closest station to fight that Henderson was so.
It really depends on how you.
Scored a fight and and it was very very close.
-- -- -- -- -- Did you did you think the rematch with the right choice lot of people.
For some reason and you know Frankie gave -- BJ -- a rematch and even even with that -- Vijay saying that they should have just moved on.
You know a lot of people are saying that Nate Diaz got should've got the next match up.
What's your take government.
I think it the right choice honestly I think -- get the right choice I think that.
On those are the two top guys right now on that the fight I'd like this he get that an unbelievable first fight so why not do it again.
I think that especially with some the other guys coming up -- event.
It because it is and don't let them I think he's an unbelievable.
Fighter and that could definitely glaring -- very soon.
But you know -- EP Jeremy -- that a very close fight with a split decision fight that he had -- performance against Joseph lows on knocking him out.
Well I'm not sure that.
Really make him the next contender you know the -- the next clear contender.
Nate Diaz -- -- performance -- Jim Miller.
But has been a little bit it could just as a blade.
So you know I think that's great picture deserves a rematch after everything he's done and and Ben Anderson.
You know.
I think he he's just an -- fighters -- -- I can't wait it.
Now let's look at the heavyweight division you have.
You know you had a great car at 146 by the way which ended up working out and it almost got thrown.
A wrench into the spokes you don't mind you because of the Alistair -- -- situation.
Now you got it looks like you're gonna have came the -- kids -- vs.
You know sent those to which I think.
I'm excited for I mean there -- some variables with the the first match -- you know that the knee injury that came with come that was overcoming and the fact that he had a long layoff.
But beyond that matchup who's next isn't over Raman is there anybody else that stands out -- division.
Yeah I think overeating cable out is.
You know I think -- the top guys right now that I think could it.
Could give -- that -- run I think those that you got possibilities.
On Daniel Cormier who's obviously still -- strike force.
I think he's another just a guy who is he's making big -- -- how -- it is.
-- great performance as Josh Barnett recently I think he's another guy who could do it in the future.
Do you think that that that the strike force situation with those two guys because.
The way I kind of see it -- you've got you got the champ you got Cain Velasquez over -- you gotta gotta keep them up there.
But beyond that.
I I think the next the guys under that are Cormier and Barnett who had yeah what a great performance and have never seen a five round heavyweight matchup like they had.
Yeah ahead and now they got to wait and do one more fight each with god knows -- And it would you rather them just come over and and joined the heavyweight division.
I would.
I would look just even just go right that USC and and may -- heavyweight division just got much more.
Exciting to watch both those guys -- Cormier.
I was hit I've been around out established absolute top fighters.
The world and and it would get that much more exciting and it -- it is the only thing is contractually you know they have that got a little business and you know -- you'll see them sooner than later.
We -- you're talking about contracts is well you're looking at.
You know strike forces been pretty light they're developing new stars but one person that seems to be far above everyone else in his division.
Even -- -- last matchup -- pretty close with -- Milan this.
But he's of course got three more fights over there how does he stack up with the the -- of the people even the you'll see is so good.
And Melinda is really good but this -- stack up against top you know two or three in the -- -- we there's no development you know Melissa's peace deal that guy definitely deserves to be up there.
And Josh Thompson I mean it is located in the last played a lot of people are also won that fight against Poland as so all those guys that think -- our top five fighters.
You know I want to five and yeah I'd love to see in.
Inject that much more -- and lightweight division you'll see it.
We'll see what happens you know he's he's a great fighter and they've got knocked up -- -- could wrestle.
Very good very -- just admit -- got an iron chin.
Yeah.
I got I got back a couple more here for you real quick got a guy -- -- -- -- -- -- for so long that so much to ask you approach.
You know a -- Sonnen vs Anderson Silva.
-- -- 148 going to be big big night.
Just looking up of that match -- who would you get.
You know.
I think jail yet he has the style -- B Anderson so you know he proved did not first fight I think.
It Pete does what you get in that last fight which is pressure Anderson silver light up about.
And really he has to be honest gay people get perform like he did against this thing you know I from players to have that -- that was was brutal on him he could have to -- his -- is that could be a little bit more wrinkled with -- to what he did get better so I think there's so -- more prepared that he was.
And that first fight against jail so -- have to do just that literally -- first played -- a little bit.
More of a little wrinkle like he's gonna have to be -- -- that can be a five round fight he's gonna have to be in tremendous shape that he's gonna have to have a good weight cut.
And he he could do it again -- and I don't see him.
You know making a mistake late -- around if you get that momentum going into doing what he's doing and that -- be doing what he did that first fight I feel when he got fight.
But Anderson I think right now has the advantage because he's seen already what children do he seemed to keep -- he knows what to expect from -- I've right now I think -- it has it has the advantage but.
There's -- choked up just out -- beat them.
He's people who do this first fight and I won't be surprised you want.
Right well I mean it's going to be interesting fight of a lot of people you know some people who had yet.
Sales of such such a captivating -- there you know like the idea of Brothers and stuff yeah yeah you know he's got a lot of people root for -- a lot of people hate -- But you know he's -- a lot of interest in this fight and and I think a lot of people looking forward to it.
Now you -- a year more famous infamous depending on how you look at moments was.
The I finish fights line that yeah it delivered.
Now going back to that are I mean it was an awesome line an awesome time.
It do you get a lot of flak for that you know some people like to make fun of it but all deal.
You know it was a fun thing to say.
It Oprah sure you know it was my way of kind of it was right after I came back from the -- Sean -- fight I came back spot Alvin Robinson and you know -- fought that fight -- that night and had another five round decision against armies saga.
And you know there was kind of a point -- I didn't I kind of wanted to draw some attention to me in and let people know that -- Regardless of how iPod I always like to -- just Finnish people and you know I went on -- that they have five more finishes after that I'll Robinson's play.
And you know -- I knew it was a risky thing to say but I -- -- it and back it up you know that's always been my style from what I.
Did you get you do what I thought I always did my best to try to take the guy out and yeah I think.
-- really help July tensions you mean if people started.
It you know criticizing the beginning but I think after write these zombie fight repeatedly I was proving it time and time again that I -- out there to -- -- Yeah.
It's become this kind of Internet ma'am you know me in my that with.
With the FM MA fans but you know I I think it's the compelling.
Compelling moment no honest moment you know that you gave you kennel and out there.
-- you know you're broadcasting career.
I wouldn't say it's a bad thing to say this your.
You guys have had Joseph Rogan for for years the -- has been Joseph Rogan and and Michael Berg and now you get -- -- John manic.
And and Kenny Florian who are essentially I would say the B team but the you know the the -- and you know we -- had a yeah yeah I'm giving you guys credit you know of course -- -- you know -- so used to.
To Goldie and Rogan being the voice -- everything.
-- how's -- been with that the fans acceptance of view of your.
Your expertise and everything -- that they've never had a problem with you fill in for Rogen but now -- here you're out there just as much as the other guys.
Up have you been have you been get a good response from fans.
I think it get a it would -- you know just currently illicitly anytime we used to here in certain always -- associated with with -- -- you know you expect to hear that same.
Style and that seems always been and anytime something's unfamiliar.
It -- -- there are certain people you know and and I expect it.
And we still you know it's gonna take time for people to accept that -- get used to our style.
You know it Goldberg -- has such.
Booming -- is -- and such.
It just such an interest links style that people are used to it and it's gonna take a little bit for some people these tours stopped but will -- I've been surprised at how positive it's -- to be honest a lot of people have been.
Very complementary and but you know -- did they what's most important that the USC's happy and they have been happy.
With that in down.
You don't obviously I think it's to be doing happen and do my best.
They get better better -- trying to.
