Quips about Kenny Florian’s move to featherweight have been heard over and over again since he announced his decision to move down a weight class in February.
A former middleweight and welterweight as well, Florian is no stranger to the weight cutting game, despite the constant jokes and questions about whether he will make weight for his featherweight debut against Diego Nunes in June.
Responding to criticism about not being able to compete against bigger opponents at 155, the former lightweight contender told MMAWeekly, “I know I’ve done well at 55 and I know I can be a champion at 155.”
The real reason for the move: a chance to face current UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo.
“It all started when I was offered a fight with Jose Aldo at 155 pounds, and when that opportunity arose, I just started thinking Jose won’t go up to 155, could I be able to make it at 145?” Florian said.
Finding himself at a stage in his career where he wants “to face the best”, the Bostonian viewed a move down in weight as a way to test his skills against the promotion’s best lighter weight warriors.
With fighters like Mark Hominick and top contender Chad Mendes making waves in the featherweight division, Florian has a wealth of talent to test himself against – but the real prize is the belt.
“I see it as an opportunity to face one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world in Jose Aldo, hopefully, down the line”, Florian stated.
Mendes looks like the next in line for Aldo’s belt, but a win over Nunes at UFC 131 will definitely put Florian into mix, with a shot for the title possibly coming before the year’s end.
With hopes for success in a new division, the newly minted featherweight isn’t done at lightweight just yet, telling MMAWeekly, “Going down to 45 is a new challenge, and I expect to be at 155 (again) soon.”
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