Kenny Florian answers accusations that his elbows are illegal, points the finger at Diego Nunes for cheating himself

UFC featherweight contender, Kenny Florian has gone on the offensive today after a coach of his past opponent, Diego Nunes, accused him of utilising illegal elbows during their UFC 131 clash last month in Vancouver, before turning the tables on the Brazilian and accusing him of wrongdoing himself.
Speaking via FightLinker.com Florian said:

“I saw the quote and I think something got crossed up in translation but it was obviously how I was throwing them (the elbows). This is actually something I ask every ref before a fight. What does he consider a legal elbow and what is back of the head. Big John (who was the referee in that fight) is the standard for refereeing and what other referees try to be and we literally went over this for 5 to 10 min in the dressing room before the fight for what he considers legal or not. He is the best in the business and he would have said something if he saw something that was illegal during the fight. Often times, if a fighter moves his head after they have been hit straight on, they turn their head. This puts their head in danger, so they are putting themselves into danger by moving their own head. I don’t know if they are making excuses for the loss and I hope they aren’t.”

“I know that Diego was holding the fence half a dozen times during the fight and I know for a fact that is illegal as he was warned numerous times during the fight. As a fighter does it make you a little upset when you hear things like that? That they are trying to pump their guy up or take something away from your win? Guys want to make themselves feel better and sometimes it can be hard and sometimes you search for those things to make you feel better. When I look back at my losses, each one the other fighters was better than night and they beat me. We both go through the same rules, the same camp, the same injuries and it’s up to the guys who get into the cage to fight and make it happen.”

Florian has booked himself a shot at the featherweight title currently around the waist of dominant champion, Jose Aldo who recently defended it over five rounds against the plucky Mark Hominick. Stay tuned to MMABay for more build-up to this and more as we get it.
By Michael Pepper.