UFC president Dana White had some harsh comments concerning lightweight fighter Kenny Florian, saying the fighter crumbles under the pressure when faced with big fights.
Florian lost a three round unanimous decision to Gray Maynard Saturday night on the main card of UFC 118. Maynard dominated his opponent throughout the fight, putting Florian on his back several times without fear of Florian’s Jiu-Jitsu.
MMAFighting.com transcribed White’s comments concerning Florian after Saturday’s event.
“I hate to say this because I don’t want to take anything away from Gray Maynard, but I think Kenny is just one of those guys who chokes in big fights. I’m not bad-mouthing him or trying to disrespect him; I’m just being honest. Every time it’s a big fight and there’s a lot of things on the line, Kenny just … Kenny’s hands are unbelievable. Kenny’s ground is unbelievable. Kenny usually kicks guys to the body and legs so hard that he busts guys up. You didn’t see any of that tonight. He stood there and stared at Gray Maynard for three rounds.”
“You’d think his corner would say, ‘Dude, you just lost the first two rounds.’ No sense of urgency in the third round,” White said. “Not saying, ‘I need a knockout or submission in this round.’ None of it. Nothing. And I guarantee you if Kenny comes back and fights one of the mid-level guys, he’ll probably run through them like a f—ing freight train. But the big fights? He crumbles, man.”