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[joeyP]

Originally Posted by snakebite

The only people who should be happy hes not in the 155 division is the fighters in that division because they dont have to fight him. Say what you want but bj is a beast.

Brother, I think you COMPLETELY missed any point I made. Did I ever say anything bad about BJ? No. He is, in my opinion, definitely among the most talented fighters ever to compete in the sport.

[Firemass]

BJ Penn never fully impressed me, I dunno why but I just never took to the dude, him moving up to 170 lets the other fighters have their shot and breathe life back into it again.

Every 155 fight before then was all "BJ will destroy this one, and the one after, and the one after......" now we have fights with fighters so hungry for their shot that anyone can beat anyone on any given day again.

[Leucoethiops]

Originally Posted by foutch550

Maybe BJ's banking on GSP jumping to MW before anyone starts trying to make the argument for BJ/GSP 3, which I'd think NO ONE wants to see.

I'd like to see it... *sniffle* ... I'm someone...

[Xtremo]

Here is a thought...what about BJ at featherweight? (if he can make it there)

[MickeyKnox]

Originally Posted by goodtimes

Did you miss BJ's last 2 fights at LW? He didn't vacate the belt you know...

I think dominant champs bring in more attention for the sport, as most casual sports fans like to root for a guy they know (or think they know) will win. There's a reason why GSP sells so many PPV's. But for people who like to see competitive fights, this kind of stuff is great. However, I think Edgar and Maynard are pretty far above the rest of the LW division right now. I like Pettis and think he has a lot of potential, but he is not ready for these guys.

I wasn't referring to BJ when I made that comment. Just in general. But I don't feel that the division is better without BJ because he was the most dominant LW champion thus far and still has one of the best skillsets in the world that tests and beats almost all current LW's. I personally enjoy the fact there are champions who are levels ahead of others, although, it often makes for irritating match-ups but that's not their fault for being so damn good.

I still think BJ beats Maynard just for the record...and I agree that Pettis is super-fuckin-awesome but probably wouldn't fare well against the top of the chain just yet, but we won't know until we see it! ...Just one more flying off the cage technique, please. Maybe a backflip kick next or something...

[carbondioxide830]

good discussion going on here.

sure the division is better without penn dominating everyone. the mw division would be better without silva and the ww would be better with no gsp. i dont see how one can argue with that.

well on second thought, maybe better isnt a good word. how about...intriguing. besides, bj doesnt have anything else to prove at 155 imo (unless he wants to try edgar one more again).

[Firemass]

Wonder what he will decide if he should lose to Fitch, will he abandon WW once again as most opponents will be far bigger? Could he get past an on-form Thiago Alves? At least he had a similar build and size to most 155lb fighters.

[Rise]

Originally Posted by 23Xtreme

Here is a thought...what about BJ at featherweight? (if he can make it there)

Big if he'd even make the weight let alone be motivated to do the cut work necessary to get there. I think a big part of the motivation for him going to 170 is so he doesn't have to make 155.

I think he would struggle with the faster and talented strikers like Aldo if he were to drop down.

[joeyP]

Originally Posted by 23Xtreme

Here is a thought...what about BJ at featherweight? (if he can make it there)

Originally Posted by Rise

Big if he'd even make the weight let alone be motivated to do the cut work necessary to get there. I think a big part of the motivation for him going to 170 is so he doesn't have to make 155.

I think he would struggle with the faster and talented strikers like Aldo if he were to drop down.

Exactly, problem is him making it to 145. Could he? possibly. But he'd look more drained than Swick at 170.

I don't think it's lack of motivation that caused BJ to move up to 170. It was just that he wanted a fight and took the first one offered, on top of it being a division he's competed in before.

Rise, I do agree with you though that BJ probably wouldn't fare as well against the faster guys, I mean look what happened with Edgar. So imagine what would happen if he faced somebody with some power in their strikes

[captonion]

BJ will be back at 155 IMO..As good as he is, he won't last in 170. Thats if he doesn't retire first.

I would love to see him face Diaz @ 170 though. I think Diaz would also pic BJ apart, as did Frankie.