Kenny Florian Dropping Weight To Chase Featherweight Title

Former UFC lightweight contender Kenny Florian (14-5) has decided to drop divisions and will now chase the UFC featherweight crown.
Florian has fought fifteen times in the UFC since making his debut as a middleweight on the original “The Ultimate Fighter” against Diego Sanchez. He’s put together an 11-4 record that’s included two shots at the UFC lightweight title, losing to Sean Sherk and to BJ Penn.
Recently Florian had been attempting to make a fight happen between him and current UFC featherweight champ Jose Aldo at 155 lbs, but Aldo turned down the fight opting to stay at 145 lbs for now. It seems Florian is ready to chase Aldo and the featherweight title.

“I started playing around with the idea: could I make 145? Originally, I didn’t think it was possible,” Florian. “I spoke with a few nutritionists, got their opinions, told them what my body fat was, my walking-around weight, all that stuff and the general consensus was that it was very possible.

“I put a lot of thought into it, spoke with my coaches and everybody involved and decided that I am going to try it. I’m going to go for it…”

“[The UFC] is very supportive,” Florian said. “They’re very excited about the move. I’ve spoken to [UFC president] Dana White, [matchmakers] Joe Silva and Sean Shelby — they’re all excited. And I’m excited. I’m very motivated.

“For me it’s first things first. My goal is to get the 145-pound belt, and then go up to 155 and challenge for that belt as well.”

Florian will look to make his featherweight debut sometime in June or July and is hoping to face one of the top fighters in the division first before making his way to the title.
HT: ESPN.com