Fox Sports has suspended analyst Kenny Florian for plagiarism issues after the former UFC fighter used analysis in a report that was pilfered from a combat sports writer without attribution. Florian has since apologized for the indiscretion but is still being suspended according to multiple outlets.
Florian used word for word analysis from Lee Wylie in previewing the TJ Dillashaw-Dominick Cruz fight set for this Sunday. Fox Sports called Florian’s use of work without attribution a “critical oversight.”
Via Fox Sports PR
Via @FOXSportsPR pic.twitter.com/CglDeRLAfe
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) January 16, 2016
Payout Perspective:
Although it seems that the online generation cares less about attribution and crediting reports, the move by Fox Sports was the correct thing too. But to back up, color me surprised to know that Florian does not receive any help (even from another MMA guy) in formulating analysis for his television spots. I would think that he would run these things by someone before he says them. The good news is that this was not overlooked as happens so many times in the web site/social media era. Basically bigger media outlets usurp ownership over stories and scoops to avoid crediting someone not with their organization. Should Florian be fired? Hard to say, but it does call into question his credibility as an analyst.
Fox showing who’s boss hahaha
Record year for the UFC equals full court press by Tops. Hahahaha.
Florian isn’t a trained journalist. He’s a color commentator. That doesn’t excuse what he did, but I think firing is too strong a punishment. A suspension is fine as far as I’m concerned.
This is what I try to explain to noob fans all the time. Being a pro fighter does mean you know the fight game. You don’t have to be a pro to analyze the details of fighters and their abilities and how they compare and contrast to determaine how a fight will play out and what each fighter needs to do. I have always been very good at breaking down fights. While most professional fighters have coaches who they used to break down film of opponents and formulate game plans. Many fighters don’t even like to watch foghts period. Until Chuck Liddel was forced to be ring side due to his celebrity from TUF. He said he hated watching fights period. I would take a hardcore fan with a passion for the sport and attention to detail over 90% of pro fighters opinions on fight breakdowns and predictions.
I will write fox and make a petition to replace florian with brainsmasher…hahaha
I’m not a write but I can analyze fights 100 times better than florian and my betting record speaks to that. Noobs don’t want to admit the fights don’t know shit. But almost all of them have head coaches who make their game plan and study tape who have never fought MMA!
There are a lot of fighters who do not break down film well or comprehend what they see in a fight, Florian isn’t one of them. He’s pretty good at analysis, just did something foolish here.