Well Friends,
Here we are again.
After the Stout fight, I was able to take some needed time off to rest my back and body. I had been training nonstop since my fight with Kit Cope. These few weeks also enabled me to spend quality time with friends and family.
When I resumed training, I attacked the mats, pads and bags as I usually do. In addition, I improved the strength in my back by doing power yoga, physical therapy sessions and by working on the Total Gym.
Throughout my training, I concentrated on perfecting different techniques. Everyday, I worked on my weaknesses until they become my strengths. I exchanged knowledge with some of the top fighters in the world in MMA and various arts like BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling, Muay Thai – to name a few. The learning process and my passion for training never ceases.
I think the depth of the martial arts can only be comprehended after years of training. You can get good at the physical part of it like execution of the actual technique, but to fully understand it and to really see the effectiveness of movement, you must really immerse yourself in it. In this respect, I made a tremendous amount of progress in body awareness, sensitivity and being in line with the jiu-jitsu philosophy of efficiency.
Knowing how to flow and feel like water is something I try to strive for in all positions. Understanding balance, base and knowing about leverage is a never ending learning process. When searching for an answer to a strong adversary or countering a technique in BJJ or other martial arts, Bruce Lee said it best: “You must be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way round or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves.” This is one of the many examples of how training and life can intersect and cause you to improve both your training and daily life.
This upcoming fight is for the vacant UFC Lightweight World title and it will be my toughest fight to date. The support from my family, friends and training partners from all over has been amazing. The passionate fans from Boston have been showing their love and support wherever I go. It is an honor to represent this great city for the first time in a UFC World title fight. I will carry that love and energy with me into the Octagon on October 14th and I will bring the UFC lightweight belt with me when I leave.
My opponent, Sean Sherk, is a very tough, accomplished and experienced fighter. It is an honor to go to battle with him for this prestigious belt. He is a great wrestler and one of the most physically gifted athletes in the UFC. Not to mention, he is constantly working on his MMA game.
This is a dream that is now moving into a reality. Although the training sessions have been brutal, I really enjoyed the process. My MMA trainers Keith Florian, Mark DellaGrotte along with my strength and conditioning coach, Doug Dupont, have put me in the best shape of my life. I am prepared, confident and calm.
From start to finish, I am ready to fight 5 action packed rounds of a technical, tactical and all out brutal war. I have practiced to perfection with my weapons. They have been checked, cleaned and loaded.
In my last fights I capitalized on the weaknesses and mistakes my opponents made. I will do the same for this fight. The weakness will be found, attacked and finished.
Be sure to watch Countdown to UFC 64 which will cover the two main event fights: Myself against Sean Sherk and Rich Franklin versus Anderson Silva. It will be shown on Spike TV at 11:30 p.m. on Monday night, October 9th. The program will re-air on October 14th at 9am and 6pm. It promises to be a great show.
Peace, love and armlocks,
KenFlo