Kenny Florian: I weighed in same weight as when I fought 155
FightLinker.com: What did you weigh when you got into the cage that night? Kenny Florian: I got into the cage…
FightLinker.com: What did you weigh when you got into the cage that night?
Kenny Florian: I got into the cage on fight night at 166 – maybe even 167 pounds. I was actually the same weight for when I would fight at 155 pounds.
FL: Diego Nunes’ coaches were complaining a bit about the legality of your elbows in that fight / some of your elbows being to the back of the head. Any comments on that?
KF: I saw the quote and I think something got crossed up in translation but it was obviously how I was throwing them (the elbows). This is actually something I ask every ref before a fight. What does he consider a legal elbow and what is back of the head. Big John (who was the referee in that fight) is the standard for refereeing and what other referees try to be and we literally went over this for 5 to 10 min in the dressing room before the fight for what he considers legal or not. He is the best in the business and he would have said something if he saw something that was illegal during the fight.
Often times, if a fighter moves his head after they have been hit straight on, they turn their head. This puts their head in danger, so they are putting themselves into danger by moving their own head. I don’t know if they are making excuses for the loss and I hope they aren’t. I know that Diego was holding the fence half a dozen times during the fight and I know for a fact that is illegal as he was warned numerous times during the fight.
FL: As a fighter does it make you a little upset when you hear things like that? That they are trying to pump their guy up or take something away from your win?
KF: Guys want to make themselves feel better and sometimes it can be hard and sometimes you search for those things to make you feel better. When I look back at my losses, each one the other fighters was better than night and they beat me. We both go through the same rules, the same camp, the same injuries and it’s up to the guys who get into the cage to fight and make it happen.
FL: After your last fight Dana said you were ‘probably’ next in line for a featherweight title shot. I know Jose Aldo said he’s preparing as if you’re next. Are you preparing as if Aldo is next for you?
KF: I hope so. That’s what’s in my mind. That is who I picture my next fight against. I hope that’s the next fight as he is a great champion and a huge challenge for me. Biggest of my career and I hope that’s the fight they put together.
