HOUSTON, TX, October 5, 2011 – One of matchups that has solicited the most debate aside from the Edgar/Maynard trilogy is the co-main event matchup putting a ‘top P4P in the world’ contender in 145 champion José Aldo taking on perennial top contender Kenny Florian.
José Aldo Looking to Re-Affirm Status as Dominant Champion
He would soon go on to be anointed the UFC Featherweight Champion upon the UFC/WEC merger. After having to withdraw from a planned UFC 125 fight against Josh Grispi due to injury, José would sit on the shelf for seven months until his return this past April to defend his title for the first time against Mark Hominick, a fight which would go on to earn Fight of the Night honors.
Following that fight, it seems like maybe some of the shine was taken off the emerging legend of José Aldo, so to speak. Maybe he was supposed to completely obliterate Hominick in the minds of his critics instead of just win. No matter what it is, there are now questions.
Is José still one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world? Is the weight cut to 145 starting to take toll on him? Will he be less dominant or possibly even lose against arguably the toughest challenge he’s ever faced in his career?
All those questions will be answered Saturday.
Recently, José shed some insight on his pre-fight preparation and his thoughts on Saturday’s opponent.
“I’ve fought taller guys and guys with longer reach than Kenny but I can only go in and see what he has to offer. It’s a completely natural transition for Kenny (to go to 145) and he felt this was the right time to drop down so I respect. I’m just really just focused on his own training.”
As for doubts about his endurance after his last fight with Mark Hominick, José mentioned that he was working on gaining muscle mass prior to that fight and coming back from injury, It’s much different this time around and he’s ready.
Longtime Top Challenger Kenny Florian Ready to Earn His First Belt and Respect
That’s how Kenny Florian summed up his thoughts on this fight at today’s UFC 136 Pre-Fight Press Conference in Houston.
It’s been a long road for Kenny Florian since making it to the finale of The Ultimate Fighter season one in the 170 weight class five long years ago. Since that show, he’s proven himself time and time again against top competition – even reaching the point of challenging for a title twice (against Sean Sherk and BJ Penn) only to fall short of the goal each time.
“I think Kenny is just one of those guys who chokes in big fights,” UFC President Dana White mentioned after his last 155 fight against Gray Maynard which was for a title shot.”I’m not bad-mouthing him or trying to disrespect him; I’m just being honest.”
With that criticism serving as fuel, Florian would go on drop to 145 and beat Diego Nunes this past June for a chance to prove Dana and his detractors wrong in what will be a really big fight this coming Saturday.
“It’s different. Every fight is always going to be different; with a different mindset due to training camps or opponents. You learn every time, win or lose, and the goal is to just get better and better every time and increase capacity and workload. I trained my ass off for this fight and I’m looking forward to it. I’ve done my best though to prepare myself for when I get there. He (Aldo) hasn’t faced a guy as well-rounded and experienced as I am so that what I’ll bring in there.
Please LIKE TXMMA on Facebook for more in-depth news and coverage of the MMA & grappling scene along with fan contests to win great prizes courtesy of TXMMA.com. Also, please let us know if you have any feedback on how we can serve you better!
