Two-time UFC lightweight title challenger Kenny Florian makes his featherweight debut against tough Brazilian Diego Nunes. Florian lost a #1 contender's match to Gray Maynard last August and elected to drop down to featherweight after the loss. The 35 year old has compiled an impressive 11-4 UFC record since competing on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter in 2005.
UFC 131 Fight Card Breakdown: Kenny Florian vs Diego Nunes
Nunes is 1-0 in the UFC and 16-1 overall. He split a pair of fights in the WEC and won his UFC debut against former WEC champ Mike Brown at UFC 125. Nunes is known for his wild striking style that features lots of spinning kicks and punches, flying knees and kicks straight out of The Foot Fist Way.
Nunes will be giving up a good deal of height and reach to Florian, a Muay Thai specialist known for his punishing leg kicks, sharp boxing and slashing elbows. Florian's superior striking technique should combine with his significant grappling advantage to give him many ways to win. Nunes will want to keep it standing -- he's got a good guillotine choke but isn't Demian Maia on the ground or anything.
Unless Florian is sapped by the big weight cut or has suddenly begun to show his age, look for him to pick up a win tomorrow.
| Aspect | Florian | Points | Nunes | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Range Fighting | ||||
| Boxing | Tight | 1 | Wild | Nunes |
| Kickboxing | Hurtful | 1 | Exotic | Florian |
| Wrestling | Good | 1 | Ok | Florian |
| Clinch Fighting | ||||
| Dirty Boxing | Good | 1 | Good | Tie |
| Thai Clinch | Kneedy | 1 | Very Good | Florian |
| Throws/Trips | Good | 1 | Ok | Florian |
| Ground Fighting | ||||
| Positional Control | Very Good | 1 | Good | Florian |
| Top Game | Good | 1 | Ok | Florian |
| Bottom Game | Good | 1 | Ok | Florian |
| Submissions | Very Good | 1 | Guillotiney | Florian |
| Intangibles | Do or Die | 1 | Spoiler | Nunes |
| Overall | Contender | 7/4 | UFC Caliber? | Florian |
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