UFC: 10 Reasons Kenny Florian Is Still a Contender

Following his most recent loss to Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo at UFC 136, Kenny Florian's octagon character has somehow grown suspect.

But why?

Florian's dedication and preparation for every one of his fights has never been in question; neither have his skills.

The fact that he lasted all five rounds against one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, in only his second fight as a UFC featherweight, proves a lot when you're mentioning top contenders in the division.

Florian's demise to Aldo did mark another heartbreaking bump in the road for the Jiu-Jitsu specialist's dream of becoming a UFC champion, but his unmatched heart and love for the sport proves otherwise.

Even at the age of 35, the Boston product's longevity should not be an issue.  With some of the best training in the world, more time to situate his diet and the drive to once again deliver highlight reel submissions, Florian isn't going anywhere soon.

With that said, here are the top 10 reasons why his loss to the Brazilian prodigy is only fuel for the fire.

10. His Five Rounds with Jose Aldo

Let's be honest.  Jose Aldo didn't look the part of an undisputed champion on Saturday.

Sure, he had an excellent third round, checked Kenny Florian's pace with nasty inside-leg kicks and did enough to retain the UFC Featherweight title, but in no way did Florian flop during his third attempt at UFC gold.

"KenFlo" most certainly pushed the pace, imposing his will on the champ via constant grappling and takedown attempts.

If it wasn't for a fifth-round slip and Aldo making a lasting impression on the judges, Florian might have won the round and changed the outcome of the fight.

With that said, besides Florian's barrage of on-the-fence attacks, he did come out the more damaged fighter.

But, we can't forget that this was only his second fight within the 145 lb. division, and it came against a guy renown as arguably the best pound-for-pound mixed martial artist on the planet.

It was impressive, to say the least.  Florian looked like the better all-around fighter even though he entered the fight as a serious underdog on the feet.

Once again, Aldo did enough to stop Florian's game plan and retain the belt, but he looked frustrated at times.  Something we're not use to seeing and something that other fighters in the future, Florian or not, will take advantage of.

If there's anything to take from Florian's fight against one of the best fighters out there at UFC 136, it's that even at the ripe age of 35, he still has all the talent and all the drive to make his presence felt in the octagon.

9. Dana White

No matter how many heartbreaking championship losses Kenny Florian endures in his MMA career, UFC President Dana White always seems to give him the benefit of the doubt.

White, along with UFC matchmaker Joe Silva, never seemed to shy away from giving Florian another run at the belt.

He got his first title opportunity after only three UFC wins following his debut on "The Ultimate Fighter" reality show.

Florian's second title shot, coming at UFC 101 against B.J. Penn, did come three years after his loss to Sean Sherk, but he only had to defeat Roger Huerta and Joe Stevenson to receive the chance for supremacy.

His most recent title fight against Jose Aldo was only his second octagon showdown as a UFC featherweight.  That goes to show you that White and Silva have the utmost respect and confidence in Florian to put on a good show, regardless of his competitor's abilities.

It's easy to sit back and say that "Kenflo" has choked in every one of his UFC title fights, but there's a reason why he continues to get those chances.

He's pretty darn good, and the company's big suits know this.

8. Conditioning

There's a reason why Kenny Florian has fought in four different UFC weight classes.

He's got some serious conditioning.

Florian busted onto the MMA scene as an average built middleweight during his days on "The Ultimate Fighter" reality show.  Since then, his preparation and conditioning leading up to fights is rarely mirrored.

In all three of his title fights, Florian has never looked like the more out of shape man.  His bouts with Aldo and Sean Sherk both lasted five rounds, and his loss to B.J. Penn ended by submission in the fourth.

If a guy can manage his body and physical demeanor good enough to fight at 185 lbs. and then 145 lbs. six years later, his conditioning is anything but questionable.

7. Top-Notch Jiu-Jitsu

It's no secret. Kenny Florian has some of the best jiu-jitsu in the world.

In his nine wins since losing to Sean Sherk at UFC 64, Florian has won six of those fights by submission. 

His dangerous striking from the ground, specifically his elbows, gives Florian an advantage when it comes to sinking in a rear-naked choke or an arm bar.

Besides Roger Huerta, who Florian also beat, "Kenflo" is the only other fighter to submit the wild spirited Clay Guida.

He submitted Japanese specialist Takanori Gomi, tossed around Diego Nunes and submitted Joe Stevenson in the first-round en route to a title match against B.J. Penn at UFC 101.

Especially at the featherweight level where Florian can use his 5'10" frame, his jiu-jitsu is never going to be more relevant.

6. New Found Division

This is a picture of Kenny Florian when he first came into the UFC.  It's just food for thought, but a reminder that he's come a long way since 2005.

Now while Florian is relatively new to the featherweight division, his success inside the cage looks like the fighter of old.

In his first fight at 145 lbs., against a top-five fighter in the world in Diego Nunes, the 35-year-old shined.

It may have taken him a round or two to establish the new style of fighting, especially the speed, but the inter-divison journeyman has never looked better.

To think that Florian's second fight at his new weight came against Jose Aldo for the UFC belt, it makes you wonder what he can accomplish given a full year of fights.

When you're making a huge change in weight, strength and conditioning training, as well as game planning for a whole new brand of octagon warriors, time is of the essence.

Florian should have no trouble adjusting to his new found weight class and could easily run the featherweight ranks en route to a rematch with Aldo.

5. Florian's Win over Diego Nunes

As mentioned before, Kenny Florian more or less dismantled Diego Nunes in his first UFC featherweight bout.

Florian landed more shots, out-muscled Nunes with four takedowns and used his world-class jiu-jitsu to pass him on the ground.

Considering Nunes was currently ranked as a top-five featherweight in the world when he collided with Florian, the unanimous decision for "KenFlo" looks that much more impressive.

Not only did that win get Florian a title shot with Jose Aldo, but it could help him in the future when Dana White and Joe Silva start matchmaking for potential No. 1 contender fights.

4. Training

Training is important for any fighter.

It gets you in shape, teaches you discipline and wards away any negative thoughts that fighting a champion inside the cage may bring about.

For Kenny Florian, as seen in the video above, which captures his training regimen before UFC 131, keeping a sharp mind and a trained body are two of the most important things he can do.

This video encapsulates what Florian has done and continues to do in order to be one of the best featherweight fighters in the world.

With one of the most humbled attitudes in the UFC, along with his dedication and drive to one day become champion, Florian's training speaks for itself.

3. Featherweight Pool

Chad Mendes is currently the next guy in line for a title fight against Jose Aldo.  If Mendes is able to win that fight, there will probably be an instant rematch.

With that said, trusting that Aldo can hand Mendes his first octagon loss, Kenny Florian will be right there to pick up the pieces.

In no way did Florian get out-classed by the featherweight champion in such a fashion that a future rematch is out of the question.

Besides the previously mentioned 12-0 Mendes, Florian's competition for another shot at UFC gold is mainly Mark Hominick, Diego Nunes, Pablo Garza and Eric Koch.

Florian has already beaten Nunes, Hominick lost more convincingly to Aldo, Garza hasn't really beat anybody worthwhile in the UFC and Koch would still have to win three or four more fights to get a title shot.

All four fighters have a wide-range of abilities and could potentially rack off enough wins to gain title recognition, but Florian should still be considered one of the top contenders in the division.

There's also an outside chance that Dominick Cruz comes up to 145 lbs. and fights Aldo, but he'll probably dominate the bantamweight division for at least a few more years.

2. Dedication

Kenny Florian's dedication may be his most impressive asset.

No matter the circumstances, the fighter he's pinned up against to fight for 25 minutes or the harsh memories of past title fight losses, Florian always continues to show that his love for the sport reigns supreme.

Just look at the guy. He's done nearly everything a fighter can do during his six year career.

He's beaten top contender after top contender. 

He's lasted a total of nine rounds against two of the best fighters in UFC lightweight history. 

He's proven that with training and the power of the mind, fighting in four different weight classes is more than possible; it's an athletic gift.

He's fought the best, lost to the best, but continues to strap on the gloves and give it 100 percent every time out.

Florian is the epitome of a dedicated fighter, and honestly, with his humble attitude and reshaped body, there's no reason why his reign in the UFC can't last anther three years.

1. Heart

When it's all said and done, Kenny Florian will retire having won a UFC championship.

It's his dream. 

It's evident in the way he fights, trains and handles himself in and out of the octagon.

Florian already has 16 fights in the UFC, has managed to knock off some of the best fighters in the game and has never looked better.

To set aside his determination and skill set would be doing an injustice to everything Florian has already done for the sport of MMA.

At this point, at 145 lbs., Florian has the best chance he's ever had to capture UFC gold and make the last six years count.  With his size at this weight class, along with the fact that he's already went five rounds with the best featherweight in the world, Florian is only getting started at his new divisional home.

One of the most likable fighters in the UFC, Florian will always have the support of the fans. 

His talent goes a long way, but he's driven by heart and dedication through and through.