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[notrightn0w]

While I'm not a fan of the way he's always carried himself, I think it's safe to label myself a fan of B.J. Penn as a fighter. I consider him to be the second best pure fighter in MMA (right behind Fedor) and I have him ranked a lot higher in my lightweight rankings than most people. But even I have to say that people are not showing Joe Stevenson enough respect heading into their match for the vacant UFC lightweight title on Jan. 19 at UFC 80 in New Castle, England.

Leading the B.J. Penn hype bandwagon is none other than UFC president Dana White. It's always strange to reach White's praise of Penn considering the history between Penn and the UFC, but Penn is a UFC fighter and it's in White's best interest to promote him.

There's the following comment made by White in the UK Sun (which I believe was taken from the UFC Countdown show without any attribution whatsoever):

“At 155 lbs. BJ Penn is the most dangerous fighter in the world...there’s no doubt about it," White is quoted as saying in the Sun. “He’s the scariest fighter in the world at 155lbs and 170lbs."

Best pure fighter in the world at 155 lbs. or 170 lbs.? Perhaps. The most gifted fighter at those weights? Yes. But scariest? I think Georges St. Pierre fans might have something to say about that.

But White has immunity from being guilty of over-hyping one of his fighters. While he might be a part-owner and president of the UFC, his most prominent role is that of fight promoter. It's his job to promote fights no matter how good or how bad the matchup. And when it comes to piquing the interest of the mainstream or novice fan, there isn't a promoter alive that has more credibility with that audience than White. Compare the hyperbole that he espouses to some of the more prominent boxing promoters out there, and White comes off like an understated genius.

As great as Penn has proven to be at various times, he's still somewhat of an enigma. I dare call him an underachiever. Some will point to the titles he's held and the caliber of fighters he's beaten and ask how can brand his accomplishments underachieving, but I judge people on a curve on what I perceive to be their individual potential. I'm not saying I know much about MMA, but I know that B.J. Penn could own this sport if he wanted.

It's important to remember that Penn is 11-4-1 lifetime in MMA. I think he could easily be 16-0. The man is a grappling savant and has emerged as a more than capable striker. Physically, he has all the tools needed to go down in history as the greatest fighter to ever grace the sport. But if he were to retire today, he'd been known in his legacy as being great, but not the greatest.

What's held Penn back from reaching his full potential is his work ethic. You might say, what the hell do I know, that I don't know the guy. And you'd be correct. But I've talked to enough fighters and insiders in the industry that do know what's really going on to know that Penn has a reputation for not working as hard as others do in the sport. That's not to say he doesn't work hard. You don't graduate to a black belt in BJJ as young as he did without working. And he sure looked like he was in awesome shape against Jens Pulver this past June.

Penn is so good that in many cases, he's been able to get by on natural fighting ability. But natural fighting ability wasn't enough to allow him to beat Matt Hughes in their rematch at UFC 63 and it wasn't enough to get him past St. Pierre at UFC 58.

So should we be counting on Penn as an automatic victory over Stevenson? If he brings his "A" game, absolutely. But if he brings his "B" game, Penn is going to get upset. His "B" game might be good enough to get him past certain fighters, but not a fighter as capable as Stevenson.

SamCaplan.proelite.com » B.J. Penn: The most dangerous fighter in the world at 155 or 170 pounds?: B.J. Penn, Joe Stevenson, UFC 80, UFC: SamCaplan article


I thought this was a good article, especially since I agree with him about 80%.

I think Bj would beat GSP in a rematch, and Bj could maybe eek out a decision against Joe using his natural talent.... unless he gasses.

II know BJ wants Sherk though, so I doubt he'll take Stevenson lightly.

Agree? Disagree?

[Diegonightmare]

I agree almost 100% with that article. Good article.

He feels the same way about BJ Penn that I do. Older members of this site know that I have been dogging on BJ Penn since I joined, but that is primarily my dislike of, as Caplan says, the way BJ carries himself.

But I am a big fan of BJ as a fighter and agree that he's in the top 3 most talented MMA fighters in the world (I'd add Anderson Silva to Fedor and BJ). And I also agree that if he had shown a better work ethic, we'd be speaking of him as "legendary" - like we do Fedor - instead of "merely" phenomenal - like we do now.

But he's young yet and there is time. He has said in multiple interviews since losing to Matt Hughes that he is ready to show the world what a fully motivated BJ Penn can do in this sport. Pulver certainly got the message in brutal fashion. If BJ prepares and fights all his remaining fights like he did the Jens fight, we are in for a series of spectacles.

[AJL416AZ]

i think BJ would beat GSP (again)

and i think he can outgrapple, outstrike, and maybe outwrestle Joe Stevenson, and can handle his power like he handled more powerful guys in GSP and Hughes. i just dont think Joe can do anything other than come to grind out a long fight, and try to gas BJ out. i think Joe will get caught in the first 3 rounds.

and he would pwn Sherk. BJ would get Sherk on his back and own him as bad as GSP did.

[DaTruThHurTs]

NOW coming from me... which might be a little bit biased...(check my sig) but i do think he IS the MOST Gifted fighter in the UFC..... but at the same time, his biggest gift is his biggest curse. I know he said this right b4 penn/hughes 2 that he gave up training professionally, and though he did lose, 3 out of 4 rounds they have fought, BJ was DOMINATING. His loss to GSP was deff not clearcut.....alot of people that are knowledgable of BJJ thought BJ Had it won and in BJ's own words "Hey, whatever man, he went to the hospital after the fight, I went to the Bar" Bj has shown pretty good hands, a great chin, great wrestling nd takedowns, I m willing to bet (when he's not gassed) that he has one of the best if not the best take down defense in the game today...his dexterity is incredible....how do you train for that, I have been training for 3 years (which I know is not long at all) but I have not seen anyone have the flexibility he does...I have seen video's where he could put his leg behing his head w/o using his hands.....that's just rediculous....but n e way when Bj comes in focused and properly trained....there is NO ONE in these 2 weight classes that can beat him (now don't get me wrong I am not saying he would mow through everybody, there would be a couple of wars) and I am open for theories and opposing arguments.

[Pythonfighter14]

BJ is w/o a doubt in my mind the best in the LW division. He vs. Sherk will be interesting if it ever happens,and I can see Bj winning if he takes it seriously and doesnt get worn out. Honestly thats his really only signifigant weakness that ive ever noticed.

[Texasboyballin]

I don't think BJ lookin past Joe, i think he wants 2 make an example of Joe & show Sherk he's comin for him.

IMO Joe Steveson is prolli as Strong if not Stonger then Sherk & if BJ can get out of any Sub's dat Joe Steveson's guerilla grip can give then it's BJ all da Way, im goin w/ BJ Penn for the "W" no matter what.

It's gonna be a great Fight.

[notrightn0w]

Just imagine BJs fighting ability with GSP's athleticism. Scary.

Originally Posted by Famint

NOW coming from me... which might be a little bit biased...(check my sig) but i do think he IS the MOST Gifted fighter in the UFC..... but at the same time, his biggest gift is his biggest curse. I know he said this right b4 penn/hughes 2 that he gave up training professionally, and though he did lose, 3 out of 4 rounds they have fought, BJ was DOMINATING. His loss to GSP was deff not clearcut.....alot of people that are knowledgable of BJJ thought BJ Had it won and in BJ's own words "Hey, whatever man, he went to the hospital after the fight, I went to the Bar" Bj has shown pretty good hands, a great chin, great wrestling nd takedowns, I m willing to bet (when he's not gassed) that he has one of the best if not the best take down defense in the game today...his dexterity is incredible....how do you train for that, I have been training for 3 years (which I know is not long at all) but I have not seen anyone have the flexibility he does...I have seen video's where he could put his leg behing his head w/o using his hands.....that's just rediculous....but n e way when Bj comes in focused and properly trained....there is NO ONE in these 2 weight classes that can beat him (now don't get me wrong I am not saying he would mow through everybody, there would be a couple of wars) and I am open for theories and opposing arguments.

100% with you.

[ninjastix]

Without doubt, BJ is one of the most giftest talents in the sport. If he tightened up his striking and improved his ability to go the distance, I think he could beat just about anyone 155 to 170, but...

/shrug

I think he's better suited for 155 where he could more effectively use his strength vs the fighters there and is more likely to stay fit. Can he beat Sherk?.... The Sherk that fought Florian and Franca...?

Yeah I'm still saying no... and I go back to the defense that Sherk is an animal in his conditioning and can take a beating. Sherk has only really been overpowered in one fight as I recall and that was vs GSP.

But how much was training and how much was steriods?...

We'll see what happens vs Stevenson... If he loses it's not going to be a huge upset in my mind, but I'm certainly expecting him to win...

[YukonJordan]

Originally Posted by AJL416AZ

i think BJ would beat GSP (again)

and i think he can outgrapple, outstrike, and maybe outwrestle Joe Stevenson, and can handle his power like he handled more powerful guys in GSP and Hughes. i just dont think Joe can do anything other than come to grind out a long fight, and try to gas BJ out. i think Joe will get caught in the first 3 rounds.

and he would pwn Sherk. BJ would get Sherk on his back and own him as bad as GSP did.

When did Penn beat GSP?

EDIT: Sarcasm ^^^

[captonion]

Originally Posted by YukonJordan

When did Penn beat GSP?

It never happened.GSP won a split decision in may 2006.I thought it was a draw at best.