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[TreK]

Has anyone watched Rory Vs BJ a 2nd time yet? I just did last night and it seems to me that Rory totally scaled back the pressure that he was putting on Penn in the 1st and 2nd rounds. I suppose the argument could be made that Rory was tired but, he really didn’t look all that tired. I honestly feel like Rory could have finished BJ quite easily in the 3rd round… but let it go to a decision on purpose.

And quite frankly… I think it was a really nice thing to do. We all know BJ is tough as hell and has a huge heart… but he’s also not a factor in the upper ranks of modern MMA competition anymore. Rory would have gained little in finishing BJ in comparison to the damage that would have done to BJ’s legacy. I think Rory saw that he wasn’t going to break BJ’s spirit and decided to let the 3rd round go to completion. Rory still gets the dominant win and BJ’s leaves the Octagon with his head held high… and perhaps retire?

In the end, this was a great fight and a total passing of the guard. It’s sad to see a legend like BJ not be so legendary anymore. Maybe BJ could still make a run at LW but, I feel as though even that division has passed him by now.

[Leucoethiops]

Scaled back the pressure to dance like a douchebag.

Very thoughtful.

[Pasha K]

No, I do not think so.

BJ Penn is really very hard to finish. Rory does not look like a guy that would have mercy on an opponent.

BTW Rory looks to be very cold as a person, and his face of determination is really impressive. I think he may actually beat Carlos in the rematch.

[W.Silva>C.Norris]

didnt rory already publically say that he was holding back in the third out of concern for making a mistake and losing the fight?

[TreK]

Originally Posted by Leucoethiops

Scaled back the pressure to dance like a douchebag.

Very thoughtful.

Well… yeah, I’ll concede that Rory acted like a bit of a dick with some of his antics. Even some of the pre-fight “trash-talk” left a fowl taste. And then the call out of Condit before even acknowledging a great fight with BJ was disrespectful to him too. But, actual behavior aside… I still feel like Rory could have finished it and decided not to. That’s what I see anyway. Georges really needs to give a few “classy” lessons to Rory though… totally agree on that count. Hopefully he’ll mature before his next fight and leave the school yard stuff outside the cage.

[KevoOnTheRadio]

Originally Posted by TreK

Well… Even some of the pre-fight “trash-talk” left a fowl taste.

That's what eating crow will do.



I don't understand why he wouldn't have finished Penn if he could have. The only thing that looks better on a resume than beating B.J. Penn is finishing B.J. Penn.

[rivethead]

Originally Posted by Leucoethiops

Scaled back the pressure to dance like a douchebag.

Very thoughtful.

Yeah, I can't imagine that if Rory thought he was capable of being the first person to actually knock Penn down, he wouldn't have done so.

MacDonald's cardio is every bit as suspect as Penn's is, in my book. I think he just got tired. The viewpoint of him giving Penn a break is a bit suspect, like the guys who feel Anderson was intentionally giving Maia a break by not finishing him.

Originally Posted by TreK

I still feel like Rory could have finished it and decided not to. That’s what I see anyway.

I do not, not at all.

Georges really needs to give a few “classy” lessons to Rory though… totally agree on that count. Hopefully he’ll mature before his next fight and leave the school yard stuff outside the cage.

I don't know if they'll stick. I've been hearing about how he needs to mature for a while; simultaneously while hearing how sweet and good natured he is. I think he's going a bit the other way.

I think it's a bit like Jon Jones. Growing up in public tends to amplify the demons rather than bring out the angels.

Originally Posted by KevoOnTheRadio

I don't understand why he wouldn't have finished Penn if he could have. The only thing that looks better on a resume than beating B.J. Penn is finishing B.J. Penn.

Agreed. It's a small, pretty elite group, and both of them are legends. I can't see where a guy as clearly immature as Rory is--who is just as clearly looking to make a name for his personal brand--wouldn't want to join if he were capable.


rh

[TreK]

Originally Posted by KevoOnTheRadio

That's what eating crow will do.



I don't understand why he wouldn't have finished Penn if he could have. The only thing that looks better on a resume than beating B.J. Penn is finishing B.J. Penn.

lol.... "Fowl" ... "eating crow". lol.

That’s why I think he let it go to decision. He was blasting BJ mercilessly and without any regard for 2 rounds and then just stopped in the 3rd. The only logical conclusion I can see is what I’ve theorized.

[Dr. MMA]

Originally Posted by rivethead

I think it's a bit like Jon Jones. Growing up in public tends to amplify the demons rather than bring out the angels.

The difference though is that Jones was trying to suck up to fans, and fans saw right through it. Rory doesn't. He clearly says that he doesn't care what anyone thinks. I think he will continue that demeanor [and if anything solidify it] as he keeps going.

[rivethead]

Originally Posted by Dr. MMA

The difference though is that Jones was trying to suck up to fans, and fans saw right through it. Rory doesn't. He clearly says that he doesn't care what anyone thinks. I think he will continue that demeanor [and if anything solidify it] as he keeps going.

which is a bit interesting, because I don't think Jones has great role models readily accessible to him--hence his public idenity crises--but all accounts I'd read was that Georges has taken Rory under his wing, and I was surprised at his lack of PR, something Georges excels at.



None of which changes my take on the thread: I don't think he was capable of finishing Penn, and I don't see it as a choice on his part.

rh