Ranked as one of the world’s top mixed martial fighters and regarded as an ambassador of the sport, Kenny Florian has always defied the odds. A Boston College graduate, majoring in communications, Kenny was a Big-East Academic All-Star soccer player. Kenny’s commitment to the martial arts intensified after college as he earned his Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. After training with some of the greatest BJJ practitioners, Kenny's skills significantly improved as did his reputation as one of the best BJJ and submission wrestlers in the World.
Seeking new challenges, he entered the world of mixed martial arts on a whim. In his second professional fight unknown to Kenny, UFC President Dana White was scouting his opponent for a new reality show. Kenny made such a positive impression; he received an invitation to try out to be a castmember.
Kenny was one of the least experienced fighters on The Ultimate Fighter (season 1), fighting two weight classes above his natural weight class. In fact, many people joked that Kenny looked more like an accountant than a fighter. Even still, he made it to the show’s final and then won his next two UFC fights.
In October 2006, Kenny fought Sean Sherk for the UFC lightweight title in a five round, action packed battle. Although he lost in a close decision, Kenny gained a whole new legion of fans, since he was given no chance of defeating or going the distance with the bigger and more experienced Sherk.
After that fight, Kenny became even more dedicated to improving all aspects of his training. His motto became “there is no offseason.” He greatly enhanced his Muay Thai, boxing and wrestling skills to make him one of the few true all around mixed martial arts fighters, Just as importantly, Kenny has taken the concept of a healthy lifestyle to new levels by incorporating mental and spiritual training. This commitment has propelled Kenny to a five fight win streak and the leading contender for the UFC lightweight title.
Kenny can also be seen as the co-host of ESPN’s MMA Weekly, a show that covers the world of Mixed Martial Arts.
Keith Florian has traveled far and wide to train with the best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Martial Artists around the world. He has won numerous BJJ and submission wrestling championships over his 11 year career in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is a 2001 and 2003 Bronze Medalist in the Pan American BJJ Championships, World Championship Semi-finalist and numerous National Gi and No-Gi Championships are just some of his accomplishments.
Keith Florian's passion is teaching others the Florian way of Jiu-Jitsu. Through a unique ability to break down techniques to simple steps, his students are able to learn in the most efficient way possible.
Keith holds a 1st degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is well versed in Muay Thai and Wrestling. Keith helps teach and train fighters like his brother Kenny Florian, Jorge Rivera, Marcus Davis, Muzaffar Abdurakhmanov, Wilson Reis, Kurt Pellegrino, Mark DellaGrotte and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champions. Keith holds a bachelor's degree from Babson College and is Partner of Beyond Appraisals Inc.
Muzaffar Abdurakhmanov is the wrestling assistant coach at Harvard University. Muzaffar is one of the most accomplished wrestlers in American University history. He is a two-time Junior College National Champion and an All-American.
Coach Muzaffar is also a three-time Uzbekistan National Champion and a Junior World runner-up. In 2004 he placed second at the Sunkist International Tournament and in 2006 placed second in the New York Athletic Club International Tournament.
He is the wresting coach for UFC fighter Kenny Florian.
Professor Alex Lewis
Alex
Lewis has
been grappling since the age of 10 starting with wrestling
where he won multiple state titles and placed in 4 separate
national tournaments. Alex began Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in
2002, since that time he has
earned
over
a
dozen medals from various state and national tournaments.
Alex has 8 years of wrestling instructional experience and 3
years of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instructional experience and
currently holds a Brown Belt in the art.
