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Kenny Florian Questions Opponent Gray Maynard as Culprit for Missing Athletic Cup

Kenny Florian may be the target of sabotage. Is Gray Maynard the culprit?

OK, probably not.  But somebody has been periodically stealing Florian’s athletic cup from Florian Martial Arts Center in Brookline, Mass, the fighter told bleacherreport.com

Florian is scheduled to go up against Maynard in a lightweight matchup as part of UFC 118 on Aug. 28 at TD Garden. The event is the first UFC has held in Massachusetts and marks the first time Boston-native Florian will fight in his hometown.

In between bouts, Florian is known for hosting MMA Live and also commentating WEC and UFC events. To prepare for fights, Florian takes six weeks off from extra-curricular activities beforehand, to focus.

With the fight just a few weeks away, he’s in business mode.

Perhaps a Maynard fan wants to throw Florian off his game by stealing his gear. Or, maybe an admirer just wants a piece of their favorite fighter.

"It’s a little scary," Florian told bleacherreport.com. "For whatever reason, it’s been disappearing every once in a while. We made this announcement, 'Whoever is taking this cup. It belongs to Kenny.'"

Whether it’s the act of a creepy stalker, or somebody simply clowning around, Florian isn’t sure. But, he won’t let the "cup bandit" distract him from training for his upcoming return to the octagon.

In other news, Terry Francona praises Ryan Kalish, Maria Menounos discusses divine intervention, and Phil Mickelson tries not to eat meat.

"We’re not sure who it is. It may be Gray Maynard coming in and stealing my cup. We just want to figure it out … I don’t know if they’re using it as an oxygen mask or praying to it at night, who knows, but it’s been in and around my crotch. Congratulations to whoever has it."
–Kenny Florian, discussing his stolen athletic cup

"I remember when I was inducted into the Hall of Fame and they gave me my Hall of Fame yellow blazer. I wore it for two straight days. Finally my wife was in bed and said she wanted to make love but that I had to take the coat off. I refused and kept the blazer on because I wanted to perform like a Hall of Famer on the field and off."
–Michael Irvin, in the Chicago Tribune, claiming to have had sex while wearing his Hall of Fame jacket

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"I'll beat you in whatever it is, buddy. Whatever it is. Rowing, swimming, baseball, whatever. Just let me know the time and place."
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"Little-known fact about me: I'm either the Jordan, Magic, Russell or Bird of backgammon. Nobody should ever play me for money. It should be illegal."
–Bill Simmons, on ESPN.com, educating readers on his unique talents

"I don’t know how it happened. But it was hard for him to get away from
me. It was like God said to me, 'You are going to be a football star
today,' and I was. I caught it every time. I swear I could have lifted a
house that day."
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she earned MVP
honors at the Madden NFL Pigskin Pro-am

"People felt the margin was so great that he could roll out of bed, almost literally, and put away anybody else in the world, including Gay. People are now like, 'You know what? Maybe not.'"
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"If it will somehow keep this in remission or stop it from coming back, yeah, I'll be able to do it. But I haven't put it to the real test. The real test is driving by a Five Guys and not stopping."
–Golfer and burger-lover Phil Mickelson, in the AP, on becoming vegetarian to try to curb his arthritis