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[Cat--Smasher]

Firas Zahabi Invites BJ Penn to Come Train at Tri-Star

Zahabi is well respected and trains some of the greatest fighters in the sport today. When he speaks people generally tend to listen to what he has to say. The 32-year-old Montreal native joined us on BJPenn.Com Radio last night and we asked him what he thought about BJ and a potential return to the lightweight division.

“I think he’s a phenomenal fighter, I think he has a lot that he can still do,” Zahabi said. “I really think he can be where he used to be. I think he can make it back there. I’d love for him to come to Tri-Star and train with us and see what we do. We can have an exchange of ideas and how we could mutually benefit from such an experience. I really think he has a lot left in him, but that’s up to him. He has nothing to prove, he’s done everything in this sport and if he fights it’s for his own personal enjoyment and I would encourage him. If he doesn’t want to fight I don’t think he has anything to prove, he’s done it all so it’s really up to him and what he feels he wants to do.”

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[Repenter]

please please please let this happen.

i actually think bj could be open to the idea... but the army of yes men around him would torpedo anything they think of as insulting.

[MickeyKnox]

I would love for this to happen, too. I wish BJ would put pride aside and do it. I think the benefits would be mutual as Firas says.

[dimerules28]

This would actually be awesome... BJ back for one last run at 155... I can dream right?

[Luc1an]

Originally Posted by dimerules28

This would actually be awesome... BJ back for one last run at 155... I can dream right?

I love BJ but, Bendo, Nate, Gray, J Lau, Miller would beat him nowadays.

[TN94z]

I think those guys could beat him "now." But if he were to accept this offer and go train at Tristar, I would bet on BJ over those guys. Naturally, he's almost on their level....imagine what he "potentially" could be at Tristar.

I could see BJ doing it if it wasn't going from Hawaii to Canada. It really just depends on what BJ's mindset is after the last loss.

[initial_zen]

Originally Posted by dimerules28

This would actually be awesome... BJ back for one last run at 155... I can dream right?

155 is where he belongs, he never should made a return to 170 in his last fight, it should have been 155 instead. Sure it may sell better as a super fight, but i believe if bj got serious (and maybe take this offer) and got the ball rolling at 155, he could make it back to the top. Beating bendo would definitely be a huge challenge though. Personally I think bj could take maynard but thats just my opinion.

[TheDoucheyWun]

You know what I think the best possible thing BJ can gain from training with Tristar?

Hooking up with whomever does GSP/Rory's conditioning program... If he had some size or cardio like thees'e 2 he may be unstoppable.

[AnchorPunch]

While he clearly would benefit from a more intense strength and conditioning program, I think it's hard to say exactly what condition BJ's cardio has been in. He wilted against Nick (most guys do), and Rory landed big shots. In his last two fights, it's hard to say how much of the slow down came from damage versus cardio.

I'm a big fan of his, so it sucks to say this, but BJ isn't losing these fights on cardio alone. He needs to diversify his offense and he needs to fight guys his own size.

[dbader08]

^Exactly. Where the hell has Bj's jab been lately?

It seems like he's always coming in just looking to counter with hooks or a straight right, and when that doesn't work he just seems bewildered...and it's hard for him to take guys down at 170...especially in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. He's pretty much a fish out of water in the 2nd half of the fight at WW.