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[Fedorlei Gomipierre]

I missed TN94Z's post and understand what he's saying and take that into consideration. I still think it's a leap, but it makes logical sense.

[TN94z]

Originally Posted by rivethead

I'm not really sure how a freak injury in the second fight with Hughes [a Hughes at his peak, as well] and taking GSP to a highly controversial decision would be considered unimpressive, but you're welcome to your opinion, I guess.



I feel obligated to point out that BJ's lack of focus has been a bigger issue than his cardio. People bag on his conditioning but overlook the fact he's gassed in exactly two fights, against Uno 5 years ago and against GSP...and that GSP was also gassed in that fight as well.

GSP/Penn is a great matchup, but I think Penn is strong where GSP has been traditionally weak, particularly striking. It will be interesting to see GSP fight a focused, elite striker and to see if his striking defense has improved. Against smaller fighters without a great game, he's been able to overcome a lack of striking defense with his overwhelming athleticism, by pushing the pace, by controlling the fight by mixing up his strikes, and with his sheer size/reach advantage. He'll still have size/reach on Penn, but I'm thinking Penn will take it standing. GSP has had great success against wrestlers as well, but none of them have had BJ's ground game. So time will tell.

rh

That is basically the same thing that I am saying. I bag on his conditioning because he bagged on his conditioning. I am not saying that BJ is weak because of it. And I am not saying that he gasses every fight. I am just referring to the GSP fight and the fact that everyone has talked about him gassing out. We basically agree and are saying the same thing

[zana1126]

I think it all depends on how well BJ does it against GSP (whether he wins or loose). BJ should stay at WW even if he looses a close fight. This one it's so hard to predict. I mean, anyone can win, either by TKO, submission or decision. We are looking at the best two well rounded fighters in the world, and IMO, the second and third best pound for pound fighters (Fedor first and Silva fourth- could be first on my list if he goes to LHW and show us the same stuff in a stacked division). Anyway, I believe that the only way BJ will go back to LW, is if he looses a one sided fight.

[pantomime horse]

Penn is beatable. He says that he didn't train hard enough in the past but a change in training does not guarantee success in every fight from then on. Honestly, who would have thought that St. Pierre would get knocked out by Serra? Oh yeah, he took him lightly.

Ego, bad habits, or just plain apathy can cost a fighter a win and that's not counting a bad match-up style-wise that we don't see coming.

Personally, I'd like to see him fight two fighters at welterweight. Georges St. Pierre (on tap) and Diego Sanchez. If he goes back to lightweight there are many more fighters there that I'd like to see him with, though admittedly he does seem to have a solid grip on the belt there. Again, though, I wonder how fights with Florian, Maynard, Guida, or even Wiman would turn out.

In the end, I think he'll go back to lightweight. In that division he is without a doubt the best in the world. At welterweight I'm not sure where he would be ranked.

[Clark80]

I think whatever happens in the upcoming fight with penn and gsp there is absolutely no point in going back to LW for penn. I like to watch him fight but I would rather see him fight competitively which I don't see at LW - he is just train wrecking fools (Miller quote modified).

At WW there are so many interesting matches. I would prefer not to see him go to MW because it wouldnt be natural at all and that will definitely take away from his game at this age. He must be a future hall of famer already for holding belts at different classes?

[SWIFTboy]

Originally Posted by pantomime horse

Penn is beatable. He says that he didn't train hard enough in the past but a change in training does not guarantee success in every fight from then on. Honestly, who would have thought that St. Pierre would get knocked out by Serra? Oh yeah, he took him lightly.

Ego, bad habits, or just plain apathy can cost a fighter a win and that's not counting a bad match-up style-wise that we don't see coming.

Personally, I'd like to see him fight two fighters at welterweight. Georges St. Pierre (on tap) and Diego Sanchez. If he goes back to lightweight there are many more fighters there that I'd like to see him with, though admittedly he does seem to have a solid grip on the belt there. Again, though, I wonder how fights with Florian, Maynard, Guida, or even Wiman would turn out.

In the end, I think he'll go back to lightweight. In that division he is without a doubt the best in the world. At welterweight I'm not sure where he would be ranked.

Which is EXACTLY why I think he's done with lightweight. BJ is not content to know he is the best in the world at lightweight. He wants to be the best in the world, PERIOD! The only way to find out is to move up. Also, he has shown he is willing to fight at larger weights AND has shown he can pretty much take on anyone at any weight. Seriously, watch him fight Machida and tell me he couldn't contend at just about any weight. It sounds crazy, but BJ is crazy.

[pantomime horse]

Originally Posted by mmaalltheway

Which is EXACTLY why I think he's done with lightweight. BJ is not content to know he is the best in the world at lightweight. He wants to be the best in the world, PERIOD! The only way to find out is to move up. Also, he has shown he is willing to fight at larger weights AND has shown he can pretty much take on anyone at any weight. Seriously, watch him fight Machida and tell me he couldn't contend at just about any weight. It sounds crazy, but BJ is crazy.

Not crazy. I said he was beatable, though I guess I should have added that he's in my top 5 p4p as well. I've seen the Machida fight several times. Penn can compete in several weight classes, though I do think he has a real test coming up against Georges next year. Having been stopped by Serra, St. Pierre has totally re-dedicated himself and has the size and strength to give Penn problems.

I do agree with your assessment of Penn's desire for competition and if he does beat St. Pierre I could see him staying at ww.