Kenney Florian: Why isn't he fighting contenders?

williamN · 06-12-2007, 08:08 PM

Florian has had his "can" for his warm up after his loss to Sherk. There is such a wealth ( probably the most stacked division ) of talent in the LW division I really expected him to be fighting one of the " known " top fighters.

Alvin Robinson might be a great fighter but I think he should be working his way up and fighting another up and coming.

I can't stand how the UFC does these matches. The UFC is so afraid of their top guys losing that most of the time they will not pit them against each other so they can truly work there way up to the top.

Stevenson would be a good match for Florian, but the list of LW fighters that Florian SHOULD be fighting to work his way back up for a title fight is a looooong one. The UFC had many to mchoose from but instead they pit Florian against a first time UFC fighter.

You sure don't see the first fight in the UFC for a TUF star to be against someone who just two fights before was fighting a title fight. Why should Robinson have to in his first fight?

TUF star coddling at its best ( or worst )

Ring_Raider_07 · 06-12-2007, 08:12 PM

You said it best yourself; The UFC is scared of their top guys losing. Although, even though it sucks, they have good reason. They've put in time, money, and resources to build these guys up.

Heatwaves · 06-12-2007, 08:18 PM

You could say the same for Huerta, or many of the top guys for that matter. The bottom line is that when the Florian/Robinson fight was created, Huerta was the only fighter in the top 10 LWs that didn't already have a matchup scheduled.

Gooner · 06-12-2007, 08:24 PM

I don't consider Mishima a "can" myself.
That fight made me give credit to Kenflo probably for the first time.
He had no business in the title fight after beating two one-dimensional guys like Stout and Cope at LW.
He should have fought someone even tougher next though.

PS. I definitely don't think LW is the most stacked division. They need to get a lot of PRIDE's top lightweights to get where the HW, LHW and WW divisions are right now imo.

williamN · 06-12-2007, 08:24 PM

I hope Alvin Robinson hands Florian his a**. I expect though that the UFC did their homework and Florian will beat this guy.

Sometimes the UFC gets it wrong ( Pulver vs Luazon ) but unfortunately most of the fights that theUFC set up for their boy to win they do a good job at who they pick for an opponent.

Trbowrx71 · 06-12-2007, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gooner

I don't consider Mishima a "can" myself.
That fight made me give credit to Kenflo probably for the first time.
He had no business in the title fight after beating two one-dimensional guys like Stout and Cope at LW.
He should have fought someone even tougher next though.

PS. I definitely don't think LW is the most stacked division. They need to get a lot of PRIDE's top lightweights to get where the HW, LHW and WW divisions are right now imo.

Ya i have to agree i don't think the LW division is anywhere near as stacked as WW, LHW and HW is.

Then of course the MW in the rear, hopefully that will change soon though.

comucazi · 06-12-2007, 09:19 PM

mishima definitely wasn't a can. i like kenflo alot as a fighter and a person he has a lot of respect for the art

Mulla · 06-13-2007, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gooner

I don't consider Mishima a "can" myself.
That fight made me give credit to Kenflo probably for the first time.

I agree man, ok he's probably past his prime but he's fought some good competition in all the top promotions.

If Joe Silva was looking for a can for Stevenson or Florian then I doubt he'd go to the trouble of flying someone in all the way from Japan for the job.

Bomber · 06-13-2007, 08:27 AM

SInce Florian lost the title fight so convincingly, and Sherk still has the belt, there's no need to hurry Florian's trip back to contention.

I was disapointed too when I heard about this match, but from what I've heard, Robinson is no joke and it should be a great fight.