She also happens to be Kenny Florian‘s girlfriend. Seriously. Here’s a picture of them on a red carpet, where Ken-Flo is wearing some sort of weird hipster costume. Here’s a bunch of photos by James Law in which Clark looks absurdly hot and Kenny Florian just looks like Kenny Florian. I’m not trying to knock Kenny’s hustle, I’m just saying…how the hell did this happen?
Check out more of our favorite Clark Gilmer photos in the gallery below, follow her on twitter, and be sure to tune in to GLORY 12 this Saturday, live on Spike TV (9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT).
* As Clark’s bio explains, Ben Affleck** requested Clark by name to play a small featured role in the film.
** “Get me Clawk fehkin’ Gilmuh, arrite? I need this fehkin’ smoke-show for my pitcheh.” — Direct made-up quote from Ben Affleck
She also happens to be Kenny Florian‘s girlfriend. Seriously. Here’s a picture of them on a red carpet, where Ken-Flo is wearing some sort of weird hipster costume. Here’s a bunch of photos by James Law in which Clark looks absurdly hot and Kenny Florian just looks like Kenny Florian. I’m not trying to knock Kenny’s hustle, I’m just saying…how the hell did this happen?
Check out more of our favorite Clark Gilmer photos in the gallery above, follow her on twitter, and be sure to tune in to GLORY 12 this Saturday, live on Spike TV (9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT).
* As Clark’s bio explains, Ben Affleck** requested Clark by name to play a small featured role in the film.
** “Get me Clawk fehkin’ Gilmuh, arrite? I need this fehkin’ smoke-show for my pitcheh.” — Direct made-up quote from Ben Affleck
The team of analysts for the UFC on Fox Sports 1 and Fox broadcasts have been providing the most in-depth coverage mixed martial has seen in its 20 years of existence.
With a collection of seasoned fight veterans and a handful of well-versed hosts at t…
The team of analysts for the UFC on Fox Sports 1 and Fox broadcasts have been providing the most in-depth coverage mixed martial has seen in its 20 years of existence.
With a collection of seasoned fight veterans and a handful of well-versed hosts at the helm, the people working the pre- and post-fight shows for the UFC have consistently raised the bar.
For the next installment of “Dropping Knowledge,” former multi-divisional contender Kenny Florian sits in to give his thoughts on the upcoming card for UFC 165.
“Ken Flo” has traded leather with some of the best fighters to have ever stepped inside the Octagon, and while he is recently retired from scrapping it out on the sport’s biggest stage, Florian brings a unique angle to his fight analysis.
The Massachusetts native competed in four divisions throughout his UFC career, making title runs in two of them before hanging up the gloves for good in 2012. While Florian may not be competing inside the cage, he certainly stays busy outside of the action as he co-hosts UFC Tonight with Chael Sonnen and works the commentator table for Fight Night events alongside Jon Anik.
This is what Florian told Bleacher Report about Saturday night’s UFC 165 event in Toronto.
Let’s start with the main event. Jon Jones is facing Alexander Gustafsson for the light heavyweight title and so much has been made about the reach each fighter brings into this fight. How much stock are you putting into that particular aspect of this tilt?
It becomes extremely pertinent if the person knows how to control the range, and Jon Jones certainly knows how to do that. As does Alexander Gustafsson to a certain extent. However, having the kind of strength Jon Jones has with his wrestling as well makes things even more interesting. That range is going to be a difficult thing for anyone that faces Jon Jones. Not only is he a master of range, he has the range advantage and can keep you on the outside, but when either they or Jones decides to close that gap, it brings it into his realm. He really creates a dilemma for a lot of fighters.
It’s so strange to say these days with a fighter we’ve seen compete so many times, but I still don’t think we’ve seen the best Jon Jones. Is that something you would agree or disagree with?
I absolutely agree. He’s a guy who is still very young and still has time to fill in those tiny little holes and improve. Take his power for example. He’s not a knockout power guy. He’s a fighter who throws beautiful combinations and is very dynamic. He’s very diverse with his attacks but certainly has things in his game he can improve.
Another example is his ground game. He’s submitted great guys already, but I think what makes Jon Jones so great right now is his mind. He believes in his technique, but I think when he gets those other skills to that place, he’s going to be even scarier. It’s unbelievable when you think about what kind of potential he has.
So many people are writing off Gustafsson before he ever steps into the Octagon and that could be a big mistake if Jones is of that collective. In your opinion, what does Gustafsson have to do to beat Jones on Saturday?
First and foremost, I think he needs to have a good first round. I think it’s very important that he take away any momentum from Jon Jones early. If Jon Jones has momentum, he’s going to run away with it. Gustafsson isn’t going to have a prayer. Gustafsson has to find a way to hurt Jones or make him respect his striking early.
Whether it is stopping a few of his takedown attempts early and get into Jones’ head that way, he needs to get off to a great start early. He also has to stop the wrestling. If he can stop the wrestling of Jon Jones, he gives himself a chance. He’s still not safe, because Jones is such a great striker, but it gives him a chance. Gustafsson hits harder than Jones, and I’m not sure if he’s faster, but he’s right there with him as far as speed goes. I also think Gustafsson has a tiny advantage in the footwork department.
If Jones wins at UFC 165, he will break Tito Ortiz’s long-standing record for title defenses in the light heavyweight division. Other than the history books, how does this fight with Gustafsson affect Jones’ legacy?
It’s an interesting question to the point where some people are questioning whether or not Jon Jones is motivated going into this fight. I know some people who are close to him that are kind of a little nervous about whether or not he’s actually motivated for this fight. Then of course there is the UFC record on the line in this fight.
Jon Jones has the opportunity to take this sport to the next level with as great as he is. He is the full package. Here is a guy who good looking, charismatic and exciting to watch. These are the guys as former fighters, we have to root for because they can take the UFC and mixed martial arts to that next level. Much like GSP has done, Jon Jones could take it even further.
He can bring a whole new legion of fans into this sport. He can bring the same kind of attention Muhammad Ali brought to boxing. He has all that potential. For me, that’s truly what’s on the line. It goes beyond Jon Jones. It matters for the sport. I’m not sure that’s fair to put on a guy like Jon Jones who is only 26 years old, but that’s the reality.
Moving on to the co-main event where interim champion Renan Barao puts his title on the line against Eddie Wineland. What are the keys to victory for both fighters in this matchup?
The more Eddie Wineland can fight at a boxing range, the better off he will be. I think he puts together some of the most beautiful combinations we’ve seen in mixed martial arts. He has good head movement and the kid can counter-wrestle. He also has a lot of experience, and he needs to fight Barao in that boxing range and hurt Barao.
On the other hand, Barao doesn’t have any real weaknesses anywhere. Barao is going to have a big advantage if he’s able to get on top of Wineland and if he can make it a kickboxing match. If he can keep Wineland on the outside, that is really going to work to his benefit. Barao is going to have to mix things up, his takedowns and his strikes, and really show a mixed bag of MMA in there. Wineland is going to have to make it a scrappy fight because the more technical the fight is, the more it favors Barao.
Renan Barao is a product of the Nova Uniao camp in Rio de Janiero where he trains alongside featherweight phenom Jose Aldo. You have personal experience from being in the cage with Aldo, and in your opinion, what makes these guys so dangerous?
They are so well-rounded. Brazilian fighters used to get a lot of slack for not having the best wrestling pedigree, and that’s true when you compare them to the Americans and Russians. But they have done such a great job of using their athleticism and strategy to avoid the takedowns of very good wrestlers. Whether it’s using the cage, or their speed and footwork, it’s really making them such complete fighters. They don’t have any glaring weaknesses anywhere.
Of course, they come from Brazilian jiu-jitsu backgrounds and are always going to be strong there, but we are seeing some of the best Muay Thai in mixed martial arts come from that camp now. Andre Pederneiras is doing such a great job, they almost all look the same when you are talking about the guys under 155 pounds. They are all so similar and so good. They have a solid game and don’t make a lot of mistakes. That is what makes them so difficult to face.
The heavyweight matchup between Matt Mitrione and Brendan Schaub presents some interesting story lines. Both had momentum to begin their UFC runs, but after suffering losses, their profiles cooled off considerably. Do you believe the winner of this bout goes up to the next tier while the loser takes a step toward irrelevancy?
It’s tough because the heavyweight division has become so competitive, and this is an extremely important fight for both. They have the opportunity to break out of that middle of the pack section of the division, and it’s definitely an important fight. Especially in the way the fight is won. If the winner does so impressively, it can turn some heads and draw some attention their way.
In the middleweight division, Costa Philippou has been quietly climbing the ladder. I know it’s cliche to say that every fight is important, but when a fighter lacks a certain amount of name recognition, does that make every outing that much more crucial?
It absolutely does. It comes down to the fighter being exciting, getting those exciting wins and getting the fans behind them. By that I mean, you can’t do it only with your performances. You have to be able to market yourself. You have to be able to make a name for yourself and get attention. It’s frustrating for me when I watch it from the commentator’s booth and these guys have the opportunity when they get the mic in their hands and they do nothing with it.
They have the opportunity to reach out to millions of people and say what they want to say. Chael Sonnen is a perfect example of this. Get some attention, call out somebody and get people talking. When they ask you what you want next, don’t say it’s up to the UFC. We already know that. Of course it’s up to the UFC. Call out the fighter you want next. If you want a shot at the title, then make it known. That’s what is going to get people behind you. Whether they want to see you win or lose, that is what is going to draw attention to yourself as a fighter.
There is a great lightweight matchup at UFC 165 between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Pat Healy. In the four outings he’s had thus far under the UFC banner, Nurmagomedov has been able to manhandle the opposition. Healy, on the other hand, is a huge fighter for the 155-pound weight class. Does “The Eagle” have his way with Healy or does the gritty veteran find a way to win this fight?
This is an exciting fight. Khabib Nurmagomedov has been extremely impressive with his performances thus far. He’s showing that he may have some of the best wrestling in the 155-pound division, period. Not only that, but he also has tremendous knockout power, as well, which has been a nice wrinkle to his game. But we haven’t really seen him tested.
Pat Healy looked great in his return to the UFC against Jim Miller, and he’s a tough guy. Whoever wins this fight, and if they do so in impressive fashion, they could be contending for the belt in the near future. I don’t think this win will do it, but I could definitely see the winner of this fight being two fights away and knocking on the door.
Outside of the main card, are there any other fights that you are excited to see and think fans need to keep an eye on?
I really like the Myles Jury versus Mike Ricci fight. I think these are two guys with a tremendous amount of potential. I’ve trained with Mike Ricci in Montreal, and this kid is a specimen. Physically, he’s very impressive with a lot of athletic potential. I think he’s starting to mature as a human being as well and starting to take his training more seriously.
Myles Jury is someone I’ve been looking at since day one. I’ve been talking about him for a long time and a lot of people thought I was crazy saying this kid hasn’t done anything and whatnot. For me, it’s just the way that he fights. He’s very technical, smart and takes his training very seriously. He’s been nothing but impressive. Also, his wins have come in a variety of fashions. He’s not just winning by one thing. He’s winning with his ground game. He’s winning with his wrestling. In his last fight, he won by knockout. He’s been very impressive, and one of these kids are going to make a big name for themselves. I think they are going to do big things.
Actually, I think both of them have bright futures. I don’t think this is a one and done kind of fight, but I think the winner of this fight moves up significantly, and we are going to see great things from them.
Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.
“I tried to punch him and he literally moved his head out of the way and looked at me like I was stupid for doing it. He looked at me like, ‘Why would you do such a stupid thing?’ He looked at me like, ‘Oh, did you really think you were going to hit me? What a stupid thing to think you slow, slow white boy,’ and then he punched me. I felt embarrassed for even trying to punch him. I felt like some kid trying to wrestle with his dad.”
That’s how UFC light-heavyweight Forrest Griffindescribed his painful run-in with Anderson Silva, which happened exactly four years ago today, on August 8th, 2009. The infamous one-rounder took place during UFC 101: Declaration at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, an event that was headlined by BJ Penn‘s second lightweight title defense against Kenny Florian. (The Silva vs. Griffin non-title fight was slotted in the co-main event; to date, it was the only fight in Silva’s UFC career that wasn’t a main event.)
Besides the incredible/humiliating knockout in the co-main event, UFC 101 was notable for a few other reasons. For instance…
(Photo via Getty. Click to enlarge.)
“I tried to punch him and he literally moved his head out of the way and looked at me like I was stupid for doing it. He looked at me like, ‘Why would you do such a stupid thing?’ He looked at me like, ‘Oh, did you really think you were going to hit me? What a stupid thing to think you slow, slow white boy,’ and then he punched me. I felt embarrassed for even trying to punch him. I felt like some kid trying to wrestle with his dad.”
That’s how UFC light-heavyweight Forrest Griffindescribed his painful run-in with Anderson Silva, which happened exactly four years ago today, on August 8th, 2009. The infamous one-rounder took place during UFC 101: Declaration at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, an event that was headlined by BJ Penn‘s second lightweight title defense against Kenny Florian. (The Silva vs. Griffin non-title fight was slotted in the co-main event; to date, it was the only fight in Silva’s UFC career that wasn’t a main event.)
– UFC 101 marked the promotional debut of then-undefeated welterweight Johny Hendricks, who had just completed a two-fight stint in the WEC. Hendricks’s first Octagon appearance was a successful one, as he TKO’d Amir Sadollah in just 29 seconds. Ten fights later, Hendricks has earned a shot at the welterweight world title against Georges St. Pierre, the same guy who was holding the belt back in August 2009.
– Rousimar Palhares was supposed to fight on the card against Alessio Sakara, but had to withdraw due to a broken leg, and was replaced by Thales Leites. Sakara won by split-decision, and Leites was fired by the UFC — just four months after he had fought Anderson Silva for the middleweight title. Luckily, he made his way back.
(To be fair, “smelling the opening” is still an incredibly popular phrase on the set of blind pornos.)
We would like to preface this article by stating that we in no way have anything against Mike Goldberg the broadcaster. Sure, he falls back on some cliche phrases every now and again and fumbles through the occasional fighter nickname, but how many of us can claim to be batting a thousand at our respective occupations? Rarely a day goes by where I don’t fumble a fact or treat the English language like an experimental concept, and I usually have the benefit of giving my work a once-over (well, a half-over) before publishing it. In short, Goldberg may not be the best in the business, but the fact that he still seems generally enthused to be at any UFC event after all these years — he first started working with the promotion in 1997 — more than compensates for his sporadic (and often hilarious) cluelessness.
However, the NY Post’s Marc Raimondi broke the news yesterday that the announcing team for the UFC’s Fox Sports 1:1 debut in August would not feature Goldberg at all:
(To be fair, “smelling the opening” is still an incredibly popular phrase on the set of blind pornos.)
We would like to preface this article by stating that we in no way have anything against Mike Goldberg the broadcaster. Sure, he falls back on some cliche phrases every now and again and fumbles through the occasional fighter nickname, but how many of us can claim to be batting a thousand at our respective occupations? Rarely a day goes by where I don’t fumble a fact or treat the English language like an experimental concept, and I usually have the benefit of giving my work a once-over (well, a half-over) before publishing it. In short, Goldberg may not be the best in the business, but the fact that he still seems generally enthused to be at any UFC event after all these years — he first started working with the promotion in 1997 — more than compensates for his sporadic (and often hilarious) cluelessness.
However, the NY Post’s Marc Raimondi broke the news yesterday that the announcing team for the UFC’s Fox Sports 1:1 debut in August would not feature Goldberg at all:
Now, while this pairing could be largely based on the fact that both Rogan and Anik have a long history with Massachusetts (Anik was born in Boston, where Rogan also grew up), it could also represent the UFC pulling out all the stops to ensure that their first event on the new FOX Sports 1 channel goes as smoothly as possible. The fact that Rogan and Goldberg were booked as the announcing duo for the UFC’s initial debut on FOX — an arguably bigger deal for the promotion — back in November of 2011 should detract from this theory, but on the other hand, Anik had only joined the UFC’s broadcast team a couple weeks prior to that event.
Anik and Kenny Florian have been holding down the UFC’s FUEL and FX cards ever since, and it appears that the UFC has been more than impressed with his abilities to grant him this opportunity. With Goldberg nearing the big 5-0, perhaps the UFC just wants to mix things up with a couple of fresh faces. You know, to appeal to us yoots.
In addition, Anik’s FUEL broadcast partner and Boston College alumni, Kenny Florian, has been confirmed for a studio role on the evening of the Boston card. Florian will be holding things down alongside UFC Tonight co-host Chael Sonnen, so we can pretty much put to rest any rumors that Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva will be meeting at that event now.
What do you guys think? Is the Rogan/Anik pairing a simple matter of locals getting preference, or is the UFC sending a bigger message here?
One thing’s for sure, Anik better learn to handle Rogan’s “Purple Power Pregame Bud” a little better this time around. Shit nearly killed him in their last outing…
Kenny Florian has been involved in the MMA scene for quite some time and is one of the more respected commentators who routinely offer their take on the sport.Speaking to MMA Junkie, the knowledgeable Florian had some advice to the fighters using testo…
Kenny Florian has been involved in the MMA scene for quite some time and is one of the more respected commentators who routinely offer their take on the sport.
Speaking to MMA Junkie, the knowledgeable Florian had some advice to the fighters using testosterone-replacement therapy (TRT).
“If you’re not able to produce the testosterone … or you have low testosterone, then perhaps you should retire. Simple as that,” Florian said.
“If you can’t compete at a certain level, that’s what your body does,” he said. “Eventually as you get older, you don’t produce as much testosterone. There comes a time when you need to retire. For those who are using, I think it’s a huge advantage. Of course it’s an advantage.”
Florian is a guy who saw his longtime UFC tenure come to an end due to nagging injuries, including some major complications with his back, so you figure he would be an avid supporter of something that helps fighters recover quickly.
Yet, Florian has been against TRT for a while and believes that while it may help a fighter in training camp, it won’t mean much come fight night.
“It’s something that’s beneficial as far as your recovery goes and your ability to get reps in every single day,” he said. “Every hour is crucial and beneficial. So for me, I’m not a big fan of it. I’ve spoken about that in the past. But it’s part of the sport, and it still comes down to the technical level of the fighters.”
TRT has become a main focal point heading into this weekend’s UFC on FX 8 event. Luke Rockhold will make his UFC debut against perennial title challenger VitorBelfort, and Rockhold hasn’t held back when discussing Belfort‘s use of TRT.
I agree with Florian to a certain extent. TRT will help fighters in their workouts but overall skill definitely plays a role once the cage door closes. However, the advantage leading up to the fight as far as physical condition could be a deciding factor in a close match-up.
Ultimately TRT is here to stay until the UFC takes action whether fans like it or not. It will continue to be a cloud that hangs over a fighters head who uses it, but only time will tell on how fans will look back at the careers of men who’ve taken it.
The UFC welterweight division has found its next superstar, and his name isn’t Rory MacDonald.Undefeated Iceland native Gunnar Nelson dazzled in his UFC debut in September 2012 against DaMarques Johnson.His Karate-based style and pinpoint accuracy had …
The UFC welterweight division has found its next superstar, and his name isn’t Rory MacDonald.
Undefeated Iceland native Gunnar Nelson dazzled in his UFC debut in September 2012 against DaMarques Johnson.
His Karate-based style and pinpoint accuracy had every MMA fan asking the same question. Did the welterweight division get its own version of LyotoMachida?
While Nelson remains somewhat of a mystery to fans, former UFC title contender Kenny Florian had the pleasure of witnessing the 24-year-old prospect spar against some of the best fighters in the world, namely UFC welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre.
On FUEL TV’s “UFC Tonight,” Florian praised Nelson for being one of the only fighters to ever hang with St-Pierre’s world class grappling.
“Gunnar Nelson is a guy that I’ve seen in training. I don’t see anybody who can really wrestle with Georges St-Pierre in training. Gunnar Nelson is one of those guys, and he’s a Jiu-Jitsu guy. Absolutely, this guy is the real deal, world class Jiu-Jitsu background.”
Despite a nonexistent wrestling background, St-Pierre is arguably the best wrestler in MMA history. These are high compliments coming from Florian, who has trained alongside St-Pierre for quite some time.
Johnson is no easy task for a UFC rookie, and Nelson breezed right through him. It was the type of performance that piqued even the casual viewer’s interest in the possible ceiling for this young star.
Nelson is set to face former Sengoku middleweight champ Jorge Santiago on Saturday night at UFC on FUEL 7. An impressive win over Santiago would go a long way in riling up the masses in support of Nelson’s emergence as a future threat to the title picture.
With youth and untapped talent on his side, “Gunni” just may be the most intriguing contender in the welterweight division.
The team of analysts for the UFC on Fox Sports 1 and Fox broadcasts have been providing the most in-depth coverage mixed martial has seen in its 20 years of existence.
