Florian set to fight Lauzon at UFC Fight Night 13
by BRIAN KNAPP, The Fight Network
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"I'm ready for anything," Florian said. "I've trained really hard. It's going great."
Florian (8-3, 6-2 UFC) has reeled off three consecutive victories since his unanimous decision loss to Sean Sherk in a match for the UFC lightweight title at UFC 64 in October 2006. A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, his last five wins have come by submission. Florian last fought in September, when he coaxed a tapout from the American Top Team's Din Thomas. At 31, he remains one of the UFC's top competitors at 155 pounds.
"I'm not so concerned with [where I stand in the division]," Florian said. "Obviously, I want to be the top guy in the division, but I want to fight the toughest guys."
He sees many challenges in Lauzon, who burst on the scene in 2006 with his stunning technical knockout win against former UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver. Lauzon (16-3, 3-0 UFC) will enter his match with Florian on a six-fight winning streak. He has not been defeated since he submitted to Rafael Assuncao at an Absolute Fighting Championships show in February 2006.
"He presents a lot of problems," said Florian, who has trained alongside Patrick Cote, Marcus Davis and Jorge Rivera at the Sityodtong Muay Thai Academy in Somerville, Mass. "He's awkward on his feet, and he's got knockout power. Plus, he's quick, aggressive and dangerous on the ground."
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