Ken-Flo and Griffin Dropping Down

Former lightweight contender Kenny “Ken Flo” Florian has decided to drop to the featherweight division at 145 pounds along with fellow lightweight, Tyson Griffin.
After losing his most recent lightweight title shot in 2009, Florian responded with submission victories over Clay Guida and Takanori Gomi. Florian won both by rear-naked choke. Florian is coming off of a decision loss to Gray Maynard, but according to his manager, Florian is moving down to go after José Aldo.
Florian, with the drop to 145 will have fought in every weight class except light heavyweight and heavyweight once he debuts. According to Florian’s manager, Malki Kawa, that debut could be in June or July.
Tyson Griffin, while not having fought in as many weight classes as Florian, will have an easier time adjusting to the weight change. Griffin debuted in the mixed martial arts world as a lightweight, but in his third professional fight, he cut to 145 and beat future WEC champ, Urijah Faber. A win over Faber in the featherweight class is as good as any because before the UFC-WEC merger, Faber was the longest reigning champion in WEC history.
Griffin is currently grinding through a three-fight losing streak, his latest defeat at the hands of Nik Lentz. Lentz, a virtual unknown, defeated Griffin by split decision. The bout was a non-televised under-card match at UFC 123, a step down for Griffin who has been featured on several main cards throughout his career with the UFC.
Florian has the chance at 145 to move quickly through the rankings and to become the number one contender. He will have a huge experience advantage over many of his upcoming opponents. The featherweight division was a largely unpopular one before being included in the WEC when it began in 2001.
Griffin on the other hand, will not have as easy of a time fitting into the ranks of the featherweight elite. Currently, Griffin is sidelined with a torn meniscus in his knee and will have to rehab that extensively before he can even begin to train seriously. Admittedly, the UFC is rather thin at 145 so Griffin will find a place for himself, but don’t expect him to compete seriously with Florian, Aldo, Mark Hominick and Josh Grispi.
Expect for the featherweight division to welcome many veteran UFC lightweights who may have fallen off the wagon late in their careers. Famous faces like Takanori Gomi, and Joe “Daddy” Stevenson, who have experienced some recent hardships at lightweight, could make their way down to featherweight in the future. Even Clay Guida, who is doing well at this point in his career, could make the switch in the future due to the fact that he is an undersized lightweight, and has incredible drive.
The featherweight division in the UFC isn’t even half a year old and already is stirring up a lot of attention and excitement. Looks like José Aldo may want to step up his training.