Issue 098
February 2013
UFC colour commentator Kenny Florian doesn’t pick Ben Stiller to play him in a biopic, but does explain a taste for singer Taylor Swift.
CARS
What was your first car and how much did it cost?
“It was a 1991 Acura Integra. I got it used, like five or six years after it was made. I think it cost me £5,000.”
What car do you drive now and what made you buy it?
“I drive a BMW X6 M. I had a sports car before that and it was just kind of getting annoying. I wanted something a little more practical.”
If you could have any car in the world, what would it be?
“I’m a big Ferrari fan. I would have a 458 Italia.”
If you could pimp your ride with any sort of gadget, what would you use?
“It would be really cool if I had an ice cream dispenser. It could shoot out my favourite frozen yogurts.”
We’re assuming it wasn’t the 145lb Kenny Florian who came up with that idea.
“(Laughs) It definitely wasn’t.”
MUSIC
What kind of music do you listen to?
“I listen to everything; I have a pretty eclectic taste in music. If there’s one thing I’m into I guess it would be hip-hop and singer-songwriter types. Those are the two genres I’m to all of the time.”
Has your music taste changed over the years?
“I never used to listen to country music. I didn’t like country music at all, but I’ve delved into a little bit of it now.”
Do you manage to go to any concerts?
“My girlfriend is a little bit younger than me, and she’s been begging me to go to a Taylor Swift concert with her.”
Don’t do it. Once you do something like that, you’ll be watching Magic Mike in no time.
“I’ve got to stick to my guns on this; I don’t think I can go. I have gone to see my buddy, Ryan Adams, play. Me and my girlfriend went to see Darius Rucker who’s a part of Hootie & The Blowfish. I’m not a huge concert guy, believe it or not, I’m not a huge fan of crowds. However, if it’s a nice intimate setting then I’ll like it.”
What song is your guilty pleasure?
“(Sighs) Well, I guess there’s a Taylor Swift song that I do like right now, I think it’s called Trouble. I blame my girlfriend. It’s off her new album and I kind of listen to it and joke sing to it. It is a slightly catchy song.”
STYLE
Where did your love for sneakers come about?
“I’ve always loved them. I can’t get enough. Since I was a kid I’ve always loved sneakers. It started with Nike and then I moved over to Adidas. Now that I’ve got the ability to buy a bunch of sneakers, I do. I have a tonne of high-tops, rare sneakers and I collect Nike high-tops and Jordans.”
Are you a big fan of hats?
“I wear hats on occasion, but I own a lot of hats. I’m a big fan of baseball caps, but I tend to not wear them all the time.”
You wear a lot of suits in your line of work. Is that something you enjoy, or would you much rather prefer to be in shorts, for example?
“I love wearing a suit. I don’t know why, but if I had to guess it would be because of training every day and fighting for so long, all I wear is sweat pants and a T-shirt. However, when I’ve got the opportunity, I love wearing a suit. I like that look, because you look like a gentleman.”
TV
What TV shows are you into, and why?
“I’m really into Homeland at the moment. It is un-freaking-believable. I don’t watch a lot of TV, but Homeland is something that I just think is phenomenal. Claire Danes is a brilliant actress, and the storyline is just fantastic. I’m also into Family Guy. I’ve seen every episode.”
If you could be on any TV show past or present, what would it be?
“It’s kind of an obscure show, but I would’ve been on this show called The Unit. It was about these special ops soldiers who were kind of like Delta Force guys. I’m really fascinated with the special operations community and the work they do.”
Favourite sport to watch on TV?
“When I get a chance, I try to watch European soccer. I’m a big fan of soccer, but I don’t get to watch as much as I’d like. I’m a Liverpool fan, so I try to watch their games.”
Have you got any TV guilty pleasures?
“I don’t really watch that much TV, but there’s this funny show called Children’s Hospital that I watch and I think it’s hilarious. It makes fun of all the medical dramas on TV, but it’s very politically incorrect. I think it’s hilarious.”
FLICKS
What type of movies are you into?
“I just saw Skyfall and Argo. I really enjoyed Skyfall, but Argo was a phenomenal movie, I really liked that. Skyfall was super entertaining and delivered on everything. My favourite movie of all time is The Godfather, so you can sort of see my taste in movies from those.”
If there was a movie made about your life, who would you have play you, and why?
“Probably just Brad Pitt, I think he’d be great at playing me in a movie (laughs). No, seriously everyone is going to say Ben Stiller because I look like him, but I’d go with Steve Carell. He’s a goofball and I’m kind of a goofball too.”
If Rory MacDonald has any acting chops, he could definitely play you in a film. He could play a younger Kenny Florian in the TUF house. You could have Lenny Kravitz or Michael Ealy play Josh Koscheck.
“(Laughs) That’s funny. Rory is definitely a lot bigger and buffer than me, so I doubt it, but people do say we look alike.”
What was the last film you cried at?
“I definitely cried at Braveheart. That’s one of my favourite movies. When Mel Gibson was killed I do remember crying.”
SHUFFLE
Kenny Florian's UFC career favourite walkout tracks
Ghostface Killah, The Champ
A classic track by longtime member of the Wu-Tang Clan, Ghostface Killah. Florian walked out to this when he fought BJ Penn at UFC 101.
Dropkick Murphys, For Boston
A proud Bostonian, it only made sense for Florian to step to the ring to a song by one of Boston’s most famous bands when he fought Gray Maynard at UFC 118 in the city itself.
Will T. Bear, For a Few Dollars More (Hip Hop Remix)
This remix of the classic Ennio Morricone track from Sergio Leone’s For a Few Dollars More, had fans playing the ‘What’s that song’ game when Florian used it at UFC 131.
Mr Lif, The Sun
Florian continued to represent his home state of Massachusetts by using this track by fellow Bostonian Mr Lif, at UFC 136 in 2011.
DJ Muggs vs Planet Asia, That’s What It Is
After losing to BJ Penn for the lightweight title, Florian returned to the UFC against Clay Guida in Memphis, walking out to this classic by Cali hip-hop greats DJ Muggs and Planet Asia.
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