UFC NEWS – Kenny Florian Leaves ESPN's MMA Live: Set To Host "UFC Tonight" On FUEL TV
Authentic Sports Management today announced that Kenny “Ken-Flo” Florian will serve as a host of “UFC Tonight,” a weekly news show that debuts in January on Fuel TV as part of the seven-year broadcasting deal with FOX networks. The show will become a primary source of news and information for Fuel TV viewers and fans of the Ultimate Fighting Championship® organization.
“To become a host for the first major news program for the UFC at the very start of its new partnership with FOX is an honor, and I am so proud that they selected me,” said Florian. “I’m appreciative of Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta and the executives at FOX for giving me this opportunity, and especially my manager, Glenn Robinson and his team at ASM, who worked hard to make this show on Fuel TV a reality for me. This is a huge step forward for my career, and I can’t wait for everything to start on January 3.”
“Kenny Florian is incredibly talented and I have no doubt that he is going to help UFC Tonight become one of the most popular shows in sports programming,” said Glenn Robinson, President, Authentic Sports Management. “Kenny has done a superb job of developing his skills as a television personality while actively fighting his way to the highest levels in the Octagon. He is an example to all other fighters on how you can succeed to your utmost potential. I am thrilled that ASM was able to help make the UFC Tonight hosting opportunity a reality for Kenny. Pretty soon “Ken-Flo” will be broadcast in every home across America. You can never have too much Ken-Flo!”
One of the most popular athletes in the sport of mixed martial arts today, Florian is an original cast-member of The Ultimate Fighter. He burst onto the national scene with his performance on the show, despite the fact that he was competing in a division well above his natural fighting weight. Since his time on the show, he’s gone 12-4 in the Octagon, and recently vied for the featherweight world title against reigning champion Jose Aldo.
Florian is a familiar face in television as well, having served as an MMA analyst for years on ESPN’s “MMA Live” alongside Jon Anik and Franklin McNeil. As an active MMA fighter competing at the highest level in the UFC, “Ken-Flo” will bring first hand perspectives to the new show with his experiences and knowledge inside the Octagon.
“UFC Tonight” will be hosted by Florian and Todd Harris, who is known for his work as an ESPN and VERSUS play-by-play commentator.
In addition to his television and fighting career, Florian operates his own MMA academy, Florian Martial Arts Center in Brookline, Massachusetts, and was recently awarded the second degree on his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt.
“UFC Tonight” will air weekly for the first six months. However, Fox executives have stated it has the potential to increase to several episodes a week or to a daily news program. “UFC Tonight” will debut on January 3, 2012, at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
Click here for the latest UFC coverage provided by BJPENN.COM>
Related:
About the Author
Another year down for the progress of legalizing the sport of MMA to all 50…
By JAKE CHASTAIN | UFC bantamweight top-contender Urijah Faber recently joined our boys Pedro Carrasco…
Internet sensation Tommy Toe Hold joined BJPENN.COM’s Fist-Ta-Cuff Radio show this past Sunday, June 16,…
As only he can, UFC announcer Joe Rogan provides his commentary on why Anderson Silva…
“In the first event, what Nick’s trying to do is introduce some rule changes —…
Television Executive, Stephen Espinoza recently tweeted out a behind the scenes photo of Mayweather and…
“I don’t take any of that personal. I don’t really tune into the underground and…
“Weidman got good jiu-jitsu and great wrestling, but he needs work with his stand-up. “Every…
“His name being brought up prompted it. He makes Urkel look cool. I would have…
The recently announced title fight between current UFC welterweight champion (24-2 MMA, 18-2 UFC) Georges…
When the ‘Korean Zombie’ got shifted to Brazil to face Jose Aldo, he left Ricardo…
Watch Anderson Silva win the UFC middleweight title from the clutches of Rich Franklin, in…
Is that a step down? or a step up?
considering mma live hasnt been on in like 3 weeks, i would say it was a good move lol
lol. guess your right
ASM needs a more imaginative statement writer:
“I’m appreciative of Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta and the executives at FOX for giving me this opportunity, and especially my manager, Glenn Robinson and his team at ASM, who worked hard to make this show on Fuel TV a reality for me.”
“I am thrilled that ASM was able to help make the UFC Tonight hosting opportunity a reality for Kenny.”
I am thrilled that Kenny is thrilled about being thrilled. Just the thrill alone is just overwhelming thrilling. Wouldn’t it be thrilling if thriller was the opening music for this thrilling show? THRILL
I don’t know about Kenflo as a commentator, am I the only one that saw him studdering and hesitating on Live television at UFC Rio this August? Seems to me like he is just Dana’s pet and that he could be a camera man or work in the headquarters. I’m not trying to hate on da boy, I congratulate him on all the chips coming his way but that doesn’t make up for the fact that his skills are lacking in the interviewing department and that his face looks like his neck threw up! TEAM PENN!!!!!!