Kenny Florian moving back up to the Lightweight divison

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: JonnyRico
Date: October 23, 2011 at 11:52 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/kenny-florian-moving-back-up-to-the-lightweight-divison.42821/

MMAFighting
Kenny Florian is not ready to call it quits just yet.
In the hours immediately after losing a UFC featherweight championship to Jose Aldo two weeks ago, Florian wouldn't commit to any future plans, but now it appears his decision his been made, and it includes a move back up to his former home in the lightweight division.
Florian told The Boston Herald that he considered retirement but couldn't bring himself to bow out just yet because of his ending desire to scratch his competitive itch.
"I still love this sport tremendously and still want to be a part of it," Florian told the newspaper. "I know myself, and it's not even just being competitive, but it's just being there, learning and competing. There's still very much a fire burning there so I'm going to do it."
He also said he won't fight for the next six months as he takes time off to add muscle to better withstand the rigors of fighting in the bigger weight class.
Florian of course fought as a 155-pounder from 2006-2010, going 9-3 in 12 fights. His only losses were in championship fights against Sean Sherk and BJ Penn, and a No. 1 contenders fight against Gray Maynard. The last of those caused him to move down and try his hand at the featherweight division, where he won his debut against Diego Nunes before falling to Aldo in a decision at UFC 136.
While his previous history may have exhausted his championship opportunities in the lightweight division, Florian told the paper he has several personal goals he is interested in chasing and would not put a timetable on how long he has left in his career.
The 35-year-old fighter is 14-6 all-time and is the only man in UFC history to fight in four different weight classes, beginning his career as a middleweight before competing at 170, 155 and 145
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[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: DEMIGODz
Date: October 23, 2011 at 11:56 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/kenny-florian-moving-back-up-to-the-lightweight-divison.42821/

Seems like a decent move, he probably thinks he can win a couple and then have a shot against Edgar. Lucky for him, the Lightweight belt has changed hands a decent amount of times since he's been around.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Spud
Date: October 23, 2011 at 11:58 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/kenny-florian-moving-back-up-to-the-lightweight-divison.42821/

Good move, I doubt he'll be able to make a title run, but there will be some good fights for him at 155.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: JonnyRico
Date: October 23, 2011 at 11:59 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/kenny-florian-moving-back-up-to-the-lightweight-divison.42821/

I'd like to see Jim Miller and Kenny Florian fight, Nate Diaz would be a fun matchup stylistically too

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Galgorian
Date: October 23, 2011 at 12:08 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/kenny-florian-moving-back-up-to-the-lightweight-divison.42821/

At 35 years old, I predict he drops his next two and then decide to call it quits.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: chriscrowing
Date: October 23, 2011 at 12:40 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/kenny-florian-moving-back-up-to-the-lightweight-divison.42821/

At the end of the day, he's not gonna get another shot at Aldo anytime soon, so why bother going to all the trouble of dropping that last 10lbs to be a gatekeeper, when he can do that just as well, if not better - and probably more lucratiuvely at 155lbs?
Even with Kenny taking six months off, I wouldn't mind seeing him face the loser of Siver vs. Cerrone (who is probably gonna be a bit busted up anyways) and as his first match back at 155 - that would be VERY interesting. A match against someone like Guilliard would be pretty cool too.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Fight Magnet
Date: October 23, 2011 at 01:01 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/kenny-florian-moving-back-up-to-the-lightweight-divison.42821/

Didn't see this one coming.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: newERA
Date: October 23, 2011 at 01:19 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/kenny-florian-moving-back-up-to-the-lightweight-divison.42821/

I think he made the right choice. This is his ideal weight class and he hasn't had a bad enough career to quit yet. He still has a lot of challenging fights ahead of him and as long as the champion isn't someone that has already beat him, there's no reason why he couldn't contend for the title at some point.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: wolf
Date: October 23, 2011 at 02:34 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/kenny-florian-moving-back-up-to-the-lightweight-divison.42821/

not surprised, and really don't care. Kenny has proven that he'll always be a top fighter, but never a champion. He's good at everything, but not GREAT at one thing that makes him elite. Sorry Kenny...elbows don't win championships. He can strike well, but doesn't have the power to put people out. Has decent wrestling, but can't stuff guys like BJ Penn, Urijah Faber, Mendes, Sherk etc. He has good jitz but not as good as BJ Penn...
Poor Kenny...

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: ResoluteProtector
Date: October 24, 2011 at 03:18 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/kenny-florian-moving-back-up-to-the-lightweight-divison.42821/

Not surprised and good for him. I didn't want to see him quit.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: themmasupreme
Date: October 24, 2011 at 09:05 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/kenny-florian-moving-back-up-to-the-lightweight-divison.42821/

Smart move am glad he's moving back up to 155, Florian just looked ill at Featherweight.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: PsychoIcon
Date: October 24, 2011 at 09:23 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/kenny-florian-moving-back-up-to-the-lightweight-divison.42821/

Lots of Kenflo haters here or something because I havent really seen him lose to anything but top competition.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: mma_guru333
Date: October 24, 2011 at 11:11 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/kenny-florian-moving-back-up-to-the-lightweight-divison.42821/

Good move by Kenny, this is definitely his best division. He'll never win the title, but he'll definitely compete. I'd love to see him fight Cerrone.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Reckin007
Date: October 24, 2011 at 11:13 AM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/kenny-florian-moving-back-up-to-the-lightweight-divison.42821/

Good for Florian. He was good at 155 and really only lost in title fights. Nothing wrong with that. He is officially a gatekeeper for the 155 division now which should give us some exciting fights with all the young talent in that division. I still think Dunham/Florian would be a great fight and if Melvin wants to prove himself still worth as a contender, Florian would be a huge test.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: Vitooch
Date: October 24, 2011 at 02:58 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/kenny-florian-moving-back-up-to-the-lightweight-divison.42821/

I can't wait to see Florian come back and tool some of these lightweights like he did to Guida.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: HBK42581
Date: October 24, 2011 at 03:12 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/kenny-florian-moving-back-up-to-the-lightweight-divison.42821/

Vitooch said:
I can't wait to see Florian come back and tool some of these lightweights like he did to Guida.
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That left, right, duck combo was soooooo pretty.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: smfowns4
Date: October 24, 2011 at 03:34 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/kenny-florian-moving-back-up-to-the-lightweight-divison.42821/

Put him up against Melvin Guillard. They were talking trash to each other before.

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: roostproof
Date: October 24, 2011 at 03:39 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/kenny-florian-moving-back-up-to-the-lightweight-divison.42821/

themmasupreme said:
Smart move am glad he's moving back up to 155, Florian just looked ill at Featherweight.
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LOL I thought the same thing. Although he looked I'll and hungry IMO.. But what will he do if Aldo moves up?

 

[Nastycrow]

Originally posted by: TheVileOne
Date: October 24, 2011 at 03:40 PM
Source: https://forum.mmajunkie.com/threads/kenny-florian-moving-back-up-to-the-lightweight-divison.42821/

This is better. He has no strength or speed at featherweight.