• UFC 136

Florian is weaker at featherweight - Aldo

UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo has questioned Kenny Florian's move to the 145lb division, insisting it has made Ken-Flo a weaker fighter.

Aldo puts his title on the line against Florian at UFC 136 this weekend, in the first of two championship fights on a stacked card. The names of Frankie Edgar, Gray Maynard, Chael Sonnen, Brian Stann, Demian Maia, Anthony Pettis, Joe Lauzon and Melvin Guillard will also appear in Houston, guaranteeing a huge night of fighting.

Florian gets his crack at the featherweight title after dropping down from lightweight, where he twice failed in title shots. The well-rounded veteran also suffered defeat to Maynard in a title eliminator, prompting Dana White to label him a choker.

Now Florian heads into arguably his final shot at UFC gold at the lightest weight of his career, but Aldo is not impressed. Florian edged victory over Diego Nunes on his debut in the division, and Aldo believes he looked weak doing so.

"I definitely don't think Florian has the same strength as a featherweight. I'm definitely going to look to exploit that," said the champion.

"I'm quicker than Florian, I also think I'm a much more explosive fighter. Quickness and explosiveness are two of my main weapons. I plan to use both of them to my advantage against Florian.

"Naturally I like to attack, I like to move forward and that's not going to be any different against Florian. I'm going to push the pace, and whatever opportunities present themselves, I'll take them and finish the fight.

"I will beat Kenny Florian."

Aldo's own previous display left plenty of question marks, after he was forced to cling on in the final round against Mark Hominick. Various reasons, including a tough weight cut and illness, have been put forward for Aldo's struggle, but he insists a repeat is not possible.

"All I can guarantee is I am going to be very well prepared," he said. "I'm probably better prepared than I've ever been in my life."

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