We were quick to join the internet line handing Kenny Florian his much deserved props earlier this week, after the veteran lightweight cruised through former Pride champ Takanori Gomi at UFC Fight Night, for the third round submission win. “Ken Flo’s” striking was bang on once again, and his ground game, well, we appreciate that Gomi could beat down 99% of the world’s population, but once it hit the mat it wasn’t even close.
What makes Florian’s performance even more impressive, however, is news that the former TUF competitor had bursitis in his right knee heading into the bout. Couldn’t really tell could you? Speaking to the Boston Herald about the injury, Florian stated:
“It was just a matter of dealing with the pain out there,” Florian said. “Once I was out there, I didn’t feel it. I didn’t feel anything.”
“I just listened to my body and I rested when I had to rest,” Florian said. “As much as it killed me to sit on the couch, I had to rest. I was already in tremendous shape. Thank God I was in excellent shape so it wasn’t a factor.”
Damn. That must have been wicked hard (and we say so while doing our poorest impersonation of a Boston accent). So in other words, Florian wasn’t at his best and still rolled out with a win like that…scary.