Florian plans to fight again in '09

Fresh off a loss to B.J. Penn at UFC 101 in Philadelphia on Aug. 8, Kenny Florian wants to be more active and expects to fight again in 2009.

"I am going to fight before 2010. There's no doubt about it," he told MMAWeekly.com. "I have to get a fight in. I think it will happen and hopefully against someone tough."

Heading into the UFC lightweight title bout with Penn, Florian was coming off his longest layoff between fights since his appearance as a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter's debut season in early 2005. For the 33-year-old fighter, that's too much of a break.

"I have to stay more active," said Florian. "I can't be taking almost nine months off between fights and then try to fight somebody like B.J. Penn. I have to be more active than that.

"I definitely don't want to take that kind of time off again," added the lightweight contender. "I just need to stay as active as possible. I want to fight every three or four months with no more than four months off. I have to fight more often and hopefully the UFC will allow me to do that. I think that's when I'm my best."

For his next bout, Florian wants a top opponent.

"I'm looking forward to getting back in there with anyone who is tough and get back to the top," he stated. "I didn't get into this sport to just beat guys up. I got in this sport so I can face the best guys and be the best martial artist I can be. That's why I'm in this more than anything else, more than the belt, more than anything else.

"I'm in this sport to be the best fighter I can be, and you don't do that by just fighting chumps," he continued. "I've got to fight the best guys out there, and that's the way you learn best about yourself and you skills, where you're at and where you need to improve. Of course I need to get back to the top. I want to fight again for the belt, and you've got to fight the best to do that.

"I always come back stronger after a loss, and I believe it will be the same this time around. I want to get back there."