Ken Flo Remix: Time To Learn How To Wrestle
Kenny Florian… His hell-bows are nasty, his striking is tough, and his latest loss hit very close to home.
The Bostonian was recently defeated in front of his home crowd by new number one contender Gray Maynard. Everyone knew going into the fight that Gray was the superior wrestler. It was no secret, it didn’t take Ms. Cleo to know Maynard’s game plan.
Maynard’s wrestling pedigree resulted in his win and is the reason Florian is standing out in the rain. As a fix Florian is looking for a new rain jacket, a wrestling one by the name of Sean Gray.
Sean Gray is an assistant wrestling coach from the University of Boston. As a Virginia Tech student-athlete, Gray was a two time All American for the Bronco Blue Hokies (pun intended).
Boston University credits Gray with being instrumental in the development of their program and athletes. They claim he was directly responsible for the recruitment, training, and coaching that led to seven NCAA qualifyers.
The Virginia Tech wrestler that owns the school record for wins, winning percentage, pins, and pins in a season will look to add some tools in Florian’s tool box.
The move signifies that Florian is not ignorant to the fact that his division is top heavy with wrestling pedigrees. Both fighters in the next title fight have solid college wrestling backgrounds. All roads to the 155 pound title drive through a wrestling town.
His loss to Maynard may have been a tough one, but in the end it could prove to be the most important in his career. The addition of a wrestling game to supplement the rest of his skill set could be the thing that puts him over the edge.
Florian may now be a few extra steps from a title shot, but he needs to be applauded for not being content. Other solid BJJ black belts that could have listened to the yes men may have stayed stagnant. This is a great move, and it will pay off.