10 Questions With Kenny Florian (by Darrick Patrick)
Kenny Florian is a professional mixed martial artist who appeared on the first season of the television show The Ultimate Fighter and has competed in organizations such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Mass Destruction, and Combat Zone. At the time of this interview, his next match is against Joe Lauzon at UFC Fight Night 13 on April 2nd, 2008.
Darrick: What road led you to competing in professional mixed martial arts?
Kenny: I have always loved competition and always admired the skill and technique of the fighting arts. I was a huge Bruce Lee fan and had four brothers that all liked to mix it up. I grew up doing martial arts and watching boxing and pro wrestling. Seeing the first UFC reignited my interest in martial arts and fighting. My training and competing in BJJ ultimately led to MMA.
Darrick: Who are some of the people that greatly influenced you while growing up?
Kenny: My father was a big inspiration for me. He believed in determination, hard work, and dedication in being successful. I always enjoyed hearing about athlete's stories of perseverance as well. People like Jesse Owens, Jim Thorpe, Alexis Arguello, Larry Bird, Joe Montana, and Bruce Lee are just some of the athletes/people I found to be amazing and inspiring.
Darrick: What does a typical training session for you consist of?
Kenny: It depends - I have technical training sessions which involve drilling moves, and isolated positional training in stand up or on the ground. I also have sparring. I have strength and conditioning sessions. I train six times per week with two to three sessions per day. The training involves a lot of effort, brain power, soreness, and help from good coaches.
Darrick: You have a match with Joe Lauzon coming up in April, are there any special preparations that you're making for this fight?
Kenny: No comment.
Darrick: What would you say to younger individuals looking to make a career in MMA?
Kenny: Do it because you love it and do it for no other reason.
Darrick: Who are a few of the people in the sport that you highly respect?
Kenny: I respect any and every individual who trains hard, fights hard, and is respectful in MMA. They could be at the pinnacle of the sport or at the local level. It doesn't matter as long as they give it their all and have a great attitude. I believe that person deserves respect from everyone regardless of their accomplishments.
Darrick: Outside of martial arts, what are your other interests?
Kenny: I am pretty boring really and to be honest I don't do much that is not related to MMA. I am always training, thinking about training, or teaching MMA. I do simple things like read a good book, watch a good movie, hang out with my family, or play with my dog.
Darrick: Tell us something about you that most people don't know.
Kenny: I am a first generation immigrant. Both of my parents immigrated from Peru.
Darrick: What is your oldest memory?
Kenny: Playing with my siblings.
Darrick: If you had 24 hours left to live, how would you spend that time?
Kenny: I would gather all of my family members, my closest friends, and I would eat an amazing meal. I would get a training session in that day with my brothers and my movement would be effortless and flowing. I would try to do this spending as much time as possible close to an ocean with giant waves crashing on cliffs, hopefully in a country or place I have never been before or a place I am seeing for the first time.
The day would involve laughter and happiness, but at the same time I would like to feel sensations of pain and pleasure. Tears would only be shed in joy though. I would have the most clear meditation for one hour straight, sense peace, and then in an amazing turn, I would defeat death and die two days later instead just because I refused to let time beat me.
FOR OTHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK:
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=4974388&blogID=343519835
You can also check out Kenny Florian in the following places:
Official Kenny Florian Website:
http://www.kennyflorian.com
Official Kenny Florian MySpace Profile:
http://www.myspace.com/kenflo
Kenny Florian on Fight Finder:
http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?fighterID=8021
Kenny Florian Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:
http://www.sherdog.com/news/Picture_gallery.asp?f_id=8021@@Kenny%20Florian
Tags: Kenny Florian Darrick Patrick Interview Interviews Mma Mixed Martial Arts
