Lightweights Kenny “Ken Flo” Florian (11-4) and Clay “The Carpenter” Guida (25-10) are in talks to square off at UFC 106 from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Nov. 21, adding more pop to an already powerful-looking fight card.
Michael David Smith was the first to float the possible 155-pound match up, and MMAmania.com has since been able to confirm that it is indeed under consideration. Bout agreements, however, have not been signed at this time.
“Ken Flo” recenly took lightweight champion BJ Penn into the championship rounds earlier this month in the main event of UFC 101: “Declaration” before getting submitted for the first time in his career by the jiu-jitsu “master” late in the fourth round.
However, during that fight, Florian continued to demonstrate the reason he is — and has been — one of the most improved 155-pound fighters in the world over the last three years. He hung right there with the champ — who is the top lightweight fighters in the sport today — for much of the contest.
The 33-year old previously fought for the UFC title one other time, falling to Sean Sherk by unanimous decision in a battle for the vacant strap back at UFC 64: “Unstoppable” in late 2006.
Between those two title fight appearances, the Boston-area native put together an impressive six-fight win streak over many of the toughest fighters in the division, including Joe Lauzon, Din Thomas, Roger Huerta and Joe Stevenson.
Earlier this week, the finalist from the inaugural season of “The Ultimate Fighter” had this to say to the Boston Herald following the loss to Penn:
“I’m still at the top of the division and in one or two fights I think I can put myself back into contention to fight for the belt again. In order to do that, I’m going to have to face some tough guys.”
Ask and you shall receive — they don’t come much tougher than Clay Guida.
“The Carpenter” has only compiled a record of (5-4) since joining the UFC at the beginning of 2007, but that includes four action-packed split decisions and an opponent list with names like Tyson Griffin (split decision loss), Roger Huerta (late round technical knockout after being ahead on the scorecards), Marcus Aurelio (split decision win), Mac Danzig (unanimous decision win), Nate Diaz (split decision win), Diego Sanchez (split decision loss) and Din Thomas (controversial unanimous decision loss).
Basically, he’s fought and performed well against a good number of the division’s best competition, including current number one contender Diego Sanchez at TUF 9 Finale, which is certainly a candidate for “Fight of the Year” in 2009
Like Florian, Guida seems to get better with every fight. And he never backs down from an opponent. Both guys coming off big time losses, so there’s going to be a lot on the line when these two face off in late November.
That fight would be electric!
Home
Search
Calendar
Login
Register