Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Kenny Florian saw his life flash before his eyes, but was rescued by a driver named Paul Walker.
Kenny Florian had a close call while in the U.K.
The multi-divisional UFC contender has a renewed appreciation for life after almost being “killed” in a motor vehicle collision. Florian, 43, shared the story Thursday morning on Twitter.
“Almost got killed in a car accident on the highway in the U.K. Thankfully nobody was injured,” Florian explained. “A massive truck almost got our tiny car trapped underneath it. We swerved and got struck by a large van. Our driver named Paul Walker saved our lives. Every day is a gift.”
Almost got killed in a car accident on the highway in the UK. Thankfully nobody was injured. A massive truck almost got our tiny car trapped underneath it. We swerved & got struck by a large van. Our driver named @pmdubs (Paul Walker) saved our lives. Every day is a gift.
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) January 30, 2020
Florian elaborated on the incident in a statement to Bloody Elbow.
“We almost got trapped between the tires under an 18 wheeler. Paul was able to swerve away from the truck that was merging into our lane,” Florian said. “He had to swerve out of the way but we got swiped by a large van to our right in the other lane. Somehow he was able to remain in control of the car and not get turned around on a busy highway. So basically we almost got crushed twice.”
“Thankfully everyone is safe with no injuries,” he continued. “Myself, Paul (driver) and my U.K. host, Dan, were on our way to teach a seminar in Plymouth England.”
The former Ultimate Fighter winner walked away from MMA in 2011. In the time since, he has had stints as a color commentator for the UFC, co-host for various MMA TV programs on ESPN and FS1, and is currently in the booth making calls for the robot fighting program BattleBots.