This is the hungriest BJ has been in his career. It would seem that there are no appealing fights for him at lightweight or welterweight, should he defeat St. Pierre, and that a looming challenge against Anderson Silva might be his next best option. Does anybody think he is interested in fighting Kenny Florian? Thiago Alves? Not likely. The bigger problem is, what if he loses? BJ's personality doesn't lend itself well to him slinking back to lightweight and fighting Ken-Flo. Seems more likely that he will walk away (again) and vacate the belt he wasn't terribly interested in in the first place.
Re: BJ Penn: superfights only after a win, retirement after a loss? I tend to agree. It's not that he would mind kicking Kenny's ass and then whomever, but I don't think he wants to put in the training camps for easy wins and now he also doesn't wanna not train and possible gas out vs inferior competition. I think WHEN he loses, Dana has to bring in Aoki, Gomi, Hansen, JZ or Alvarez to make 155 interesting to BJ.
Re: BJ Penn: superfights only after a win, retirement after a loss? I don't see any competition for BJ @ 155 currently in the UFC. You guys know how GSP/Fitch went, how Fitch showed a lot of heart but was just completely outclassed? I think that is how a Kenny/BJ fight would end up.
Re: BJ Penn: superfights only after a win, retirement after a loss? agreed and that's why fighting at 155 doesn't interest BJ. He wants big fights that will cement his legacy as an all time great. Beating up guys that he's supposed to dominate won't do it. hence the need to bring in other top ten 155er's from Japan
Re: BJ Penn: superfights only after a win, retirement after a loss? Clue me in a little on MMA . . . if BJ loses, can he afford to just walk away? Has he made so much or developed such a name that he set for life? Wouldn't he want to fight a couple more pay per views for a couple more paydays? I think of boxing and how many fighters keep on fighting even when washed up just to keep pulling in pay days. (Others fight because of ego and not being able to let go, but it doesn't sound like BJ would be one of those) Different or same in MMA?
Re: BJ Penn: superfights only after a win, retirement after a loss? BJ's never fought for money, his family is loaded. He walked away from the UFC once before, shortly after becoming the welterweight champion, and the UFC stripped his title. Motivation has been an issue throughout his career. Right now his goal is to be the best ever and a loss to GSP, if it happens, might discourage him. There is only big money in MMA if you are at the very top. The nature of the sport is such that older fighters tend to get beaten out of the UFC and are only invited back for grudge matches, if at all.
Re: BJ Penn: superfights only after a win, retirement after a loss? Motavation? WTF I woulda rather seen Kimbo fight a bum that watch GSP kick the shit out of Penn again
Re: BJ Penn: superfights only after a win, retirement after a loss? According to Josh Gross, BJ is considering retirement. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/josh_gross/02/02/penn-st-pierre-post-fight/index.html
Re: BJ Penn: superfights only after a win, retirement after a loss? of course he is, he just got totally dominated in a way I'm sure he never thought he would
Re: BJ Penn: superfights only after a win, retirement after a loss? Best case scenario: he realizes training is a lifestyle, not a two-month commitment, and moves to Xtreme Couture or a similar camp, and sets out to dedicate himself to being the best lightweight ever. Think his ego could handle it?
Re: BJ Penn: superfights only after a win, retirement after a loss? no, not unless there is a historic match up for him at 155. He like to jog the neighbourhood in Hilo and be recognized etc. IMO he just won't be motivated enough by what 155 in the UFC has to offer him.
I think it'd be best for Penn to get back into the octagon as soon as possible so this domination by Pierre doesn't have a lot of time to settle. I think he'll wreck Kenflo, but he needs to get that fight done soon. Maybe UFC 100? I know they want to have multiple title fights @ UFC 100. If Rampage can get through Jardine unharmed, UFC 100 could also feature a LHW matchup.
I think the loss to GSP was a good wake up call for Penn. Now he knows he can be beat thoroughly. What Penn needs to do is really expand his training and straight dominate 155. He's been champ at 170, but that weight class puts him at a huge disadvantage strength wise. I thought it was GSP's strength not ability that beat Penn. BJ just could not overcome GSP once he GSP mounted him. Nothing he could do but take a beating. GSP was just too strong and dominant on top. If KenFlo is smart, he'll train out of GSP's camp! haha
kflo should not be underestimated.. hope he can jump on this opportunity and kick it dead while it's still down.. maybe after that penn really retires?
I think you may be forgetting how GSP was outstriking Penn too. His jab was completely dominating BJ. The first time they fought, BJ was all over GSP in the striking department in the 1st round. It was completely different this time as GSP was doing all the damage standing. That's skill not strength related at all.
Re: BJ Penn: superfights only after a win, retirement after a loss? Thats what he needs to do. Stop this training in just Hilo with his own boys. He seriously needs to get out there and cross train.
We never really had the opportunity to see if BJ could win the striking game. GSP never gave him that opportunity except for the first round. I never even saw BJ unload which is one of his strengths. GSP was smart. He Grounded and Pounded Penn to hell. Yes, he did some damage striking but if he kept it on their feet I thought BJ would stand a chance. There was just no chance once GSP landed a takedown which he did in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. He dominated BJ with strength and I'm sure there was a huge weight difference. No excuses at all, but BJ was beaten by the strength of GSP. He pummeled him on the ground for 3 full rounds. Thats what destroyed BJ's will. I wish GSP would have kept it on their feet for 4 rounds, but GSP was too smart for that. He knew where he bread and butter was.... That was the game plan all along. To ground and pound him out.
