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[NinjaShogunRua]

I believe him. Seperating your ribs really bothers your breathing pattern. Either way B.J. doesn't make excuses and gives props to Matt Hughes as a true champion.

here's a interview from BJPenn.com after the fight, sorry if this has already been posted..............................


After just arriving back in Hawaii, BJ talks about the outcome of his tough UFC 63 title fight against Matt Hughes which took place yesterday evening at Arrowhead Pond in Anahiem CA.

Interviewer:
So BJ how are you doing?

BJ:
I just got back to Hawaii. I'm resting up, I have some injuries. Other than that I'm okay.

Interviewer:
So you just fought Matt Hughes. Could you walk us through the first round?

BJ:
I felt good, I was happy that I was defending Matt's takedowns. I could see that Matt improved his standup. I wish I tried some takedowns, but other than that I was happy with it.

Interviewer:
You say he improved his standup. How?

BJ:
He was dodging my punches well, and he had a good jab.

Interviewer:
What did you think of his takedowns?

BJ:
His takedowns were good and strong, exactly what I expected.

Interviewer:
Take us through the second round.

BJ:
I felt great going in, Matt started trying to take me down from my right leg, it's something I expected he might do. He got me down against the fence, but I was thinking about this position alot and I was ready. When he went for a big elbow, he missed and I capitalized and started going for his back. At this moment, when I was making the turn towards his back, I felt my ribs seperate on my right side. Although I didn't know the severity of the situation. I was thinking I have to finish him now because I knew something was wrong. Matt defended himself well and got through the round. When I got up to walk to my corner, I knew something was wrong, but I didn't want to talk about it with my corner. I wanted to be the champ. I wanted to keep fighting.

Interviewer:
What about round 3?

BJ:
I remember standing up out of the corner in pain. But I was thinking, "Earn your title this is what you have to do to get your belt back, fight through the pain". I knew the oppurtunity I had with getting this fight, especially after losing my last fight. I wasn't going to quit on the corner. I kept going because I honestly believed it was destiny. When me and Matt were boxing I felt like I couldn't breathe and had no mobility in my core. But I kept thinking something good is going to happen. When Matt started dominating the stand up I tried for a takedown. I had nothing and pulled to guard. I felt like I couldn't do anything on the ground. But I was still positive. Matt hit me in the ribs from half guard. The pain was so excruciating I had to use my far hand to block it. I would rather Matt pass my guard and punch my face the hit my ribs. When Matt was in his favorite position that he likes. I was still thinking I was going to win somehow. Big John gave me plenty of time. I practiced defending against that position with flexibility, but I had none with my core. Even when Big John stopped the fight, I was still so positive I thought I escaped. Congratulations to Matt, he is a great fighter. It's not his fault that that happened, he fought like the champion he is. He deserved the victory.

Interviewer:
So how are your ribs doing now?

BJ:
There just hurting, I couldn't sleep last night, I couldn't lay down, Every time I breathe it expands my ribcage and aggrevates my ribs.

Interviewer:
How do you think your conditioning was for this fight?

BJ:
I was training great. I trained 5 to 6 rounds a couple times a week. I was also doing explosive cardio and getting proper rest.

Interviewer:
Anything to say to your fans?

BJ:
Thanks for your support. I already got a lot of emails from my fans. Thank you very much.
Keep checking my site and I'll keep you posted.

Interviewer:
So what is next for BJ Penn?

BJ:
I've got to take care of my ribs, so I'm taking 2 months off, and my suspension for the TKO. I talked to Dana and he said to give him a call when I'm ready to fight. It takes a long time to prepare for these fights and I'm very disappointed I got injured like that. I gotta sit down for a couple weeks and clear my head and see where I am in fighting.

[tapper]

truly a good fight, but if he was that hurt how did he think he was going to win going into the third round. i think those guys are a real good match-up cant wait for the rubber.

[killerinstinct]

BJ Penn is a warrior and even if he was gassed he would've put up a better performance in that 3rd round against Hughes than he did.I hope we get to see Penn/Hughes III.Penn certainly deserves a rubber match.

[ArMnHC]

didn't anyone see BJ after the fight? he could barely stand up he was so badly out of gas. i 100% believe his rib injury! Joe Rogan even said it himself, he'd never seen someone gas like that before. trying to breath angainst cracked or seperated ribs is so freaking painful! it makes perfect sense why BJ crumpled apart after Rd 2, and trying to still finish Matt just made it even worse for him. regardless, Matt won, but had BJ had a tank the fight was his and everyone knows it.

Penn/Hughes III needs to happen, title on the line or not!

[Boo]

Yep, I believe BJ was hurt. Everything just points to that being the truth. Rib injuries are a bitch, you just can't get a full breath.

[Mastiff_owner]

Was BJ hurt??? Yeah I believe that 100%.

Would he have won if he wasn't hurt is the question. I like to think so, I had him winning the first two rounds. I am one of BJ's biggest supporters and have been thinking about this alot. Trying to justify his loss in my mind and reason wtf happened on saturday. I have come to a conclusion.

I have been in a lot of fights some went my way some didn't. BJ got hurt in a fight. Period. He got hurt by another fighter. period. Every fight I have ever been in the one that sustains the least amount of damage wins. The way I see it Matt separated BJ's rib in a fight and took advantage of it. I don't care how the injury actually occured. It happened during the fight. If I was in a fight and the other guy's rib separated i am going to take full advantage of that situation.

All this means to me is someday I want to see Hughes/Penn 3. matt won this fight. In the immortal words of GSP "he won fairly squarely"end of story.

[dudefella]

Hughes / Penn III after GSP whoops Matt's ass

[ArMnHC]

Originally Posted by dudefella

Hughes / Penn III after GSP whoops Matt's ass

yeah, it's happening! im sorry but seeing Matt's performance against BJ makes me believe his days are numbered...fate has given him one more win as champion, and now when he fights GSP, i'm going with GSP 100%. Matt is going to be so set on smashing GSP after his comments on his performance, that he will slip up and GSP is going to capitalize on it.

if the fight happens at UFC 65, we will see a new WW Champion...mark my words!

[Boo]

Originally Posted by ArMnHC

if the fight happens at UFC 65, we will see a new WW Champion...mark my words!

If you're wrong, do I have your permission to gloat?

[Afro]

so Penn came into the fight with the injury?