Kenny Florian: The Anatomy of a Champion

Born on May 26, 1976 in Westwood, Massachusetts, Kenny Florian realized he was born to fight. Coming from many different ethnic backgrounds, Florian earned his BJJ black belt from Robert Maia.

Kenny Florian was in a huge accident that nearly ended his life, but to him, it was an eye opener. He survived and told himself that life was too short to be doing something he didn't like. Kenny decided that he would get into MMA, because that was his true passion, and he refused to stay behind a desk for the rest of his life. That's when "Kenflo" was born.

Kenny had his first professional fight in Jan. 2003 against a fighter named Jason Giroux. Kenny won his two first fights in the very first round. In his third fight, Florian fought BJJ veteran Drew Fickett and lost a decision. Impressed by his performances so far, the UFC gave Kenny Florian a shot at The Ultimate Fighter season one.

Kenny competed on The Ultimate Fighter two weight classes over his original weight class of 155 pounds. Kenny defeated heavy-hitter and good friend Chris Leben in the semifinals to fight in the Middleweight finals against Diego Sanchez.

The loss to Sanchez didn't really hurt Florian, who had a great showing on the show. Kenny was still welcomed into the UFC, where he immediately dropped down to his original weight.

Florian made short work of his first three official UFC opponents—Alex Karalexis, Kit Cope and Sam Stout. After his dominant victories over his three first opponents, Kenny was put up against UFC veteran Sean Sherk. The Sherk fight was very important for Kenny because it showed he could compete with the best. Florian lost the fight but held on the whole time and bloodied up Sherk with his "razor-sharp elbows."

Even with a loss, Kenny grew considerably as a fighter and returned to the octagon at UFC Fight Night Nine against Dokonjonosuke Mishima. He defeated Mishima and went on to defeat Alvin Robinson and Din Thomas.

At UFC Fight Night 13, Florian was pitted up against lightweight prospect Joe Lauzon. Although Lauzon did well in the fight, Kenny proved to be too much for the young fighter. After the Lauzon fight, Kenny was finally given an opportunity to shine.

Aug. 9, 2007, UFC 87, Kenny Florian was given the chance to fight one of the most popular fighters in MMA—Roger "El Matador" Huerta. Huerta was on an 11-fight win streak and was probably the most exciting fighter in the UFC. Huerta had the spotlight and the fans, but he didn't know "Kenflo" would take it all away in only 15 minutes.

Kenny Florian showed he was a step ahead of Roger Huerta and defeated him by decision. The UFC said before the fight that the winner would be the number contender for the Lightweight Championship, and so it seemed Kenny had finally made it.

With the whole Georges St-Pierre/BJ Penn story, Kenny would have to wait until after UFC 94 to get a shot at BJ. The UFC decided to put Kenny's No. 1 contender spot in peril against season two winner of The Ultimate Fighter, Joe "Daddy" Stevenson.

Stevenson and Florian fought at UFC 91 and Kenny dominated Stevenson as if he was a newcomer in MMA. Kenny Florian solidified his spot as the number one contender at 155 pounds with the victory and should fight the UFC Lightweight Champion BJ Penn in his next fight.

Florian is currently on a six-fight win streak and wants the title shot badly. He had a bumpy ride to the top, and whether he wins against BJ or not is all up to him, but one things is for sure—Kenny Florian would be a champion we could all be proud of.