Florian-Nunes Targeted for UFC 131

Former lightweight title contender Kenny Florian (Pictured) will make his debut at 145 pounds against world-ranked featherweight Diego Nunes at UFC 131 on June 11 at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Florian announced the news during Saturday’s broadcast of MMA Live on ESPN. A heavyweight tilt between former champion Brock Lesnar and heavy-handed Brazilian Junior dos Santos is also rumored for UFC 131.

A staple of the UFC’s lightweight division since 2006, Florian originally competed in the UFC as a middleweight, losing in the final of the original “Ultimate Fighter” competition to Diego Sanchez. Since making the move to 155 pounds, Florian has contended for the division’s richest prize twice, losing his first title bid to Sean Sherk at UFC 64. Following six straight wins inside the Octagon, “KenFlo” got his second shot at the belt and was choked out by B.J. Penn at UFC 101. After rebounding with back-to-back wins over Clay Guida and Takanori Gomi, the 34-year-old lost to Gray Maynard in a bout to decide the No. 1 contender for new champion Frankie Edgar’s title.

Nunes comes fresh off the biggest win of his career in his UFC debut, as the Brazilian earned a hard-fought split decision victory over former WEC featherweight king Mike Thomas Brown. Prior to that win, the Nova Uniao product earned a 4-1 record inside the WEC, notching victories over Cole Province, Rafael Dias, Raphael Assuncao and Tyler Toner. The 28-year-old’s only loss in the WEC came to current Titan Fighting Championship talent L.C. Davis at WEC 44 in 2009.

---

Reader comments are active below. Chime in with an opinion or thought by signing in with your Facebook, Twitter, Google or Yahoo! account.