In a candid interview with his own website, former UFC welterweight and lightweight champion B.J. Penn discussed his troubling performance against Frankie Edgar at The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale in July and hinted at issues with nutritionist and weight cut guru Mike Dolce.
“I keep going back about a lot of things,” said Penn. “Was it even smart to go down to 145 pounds in the first place? Were you going to have the energy all sucked out, you know? I haven’t been to 145 in about 18 years but besides that this whole last year of my life I’ve been just hanging around 160 pounds, trying to watch my weight after the Rory MacDonald fight. I just wanted to watch my weight for general health for myself and my family, and I just stayed around 160 pounds. So, you know, that’s what I sparred at, I sparred at that weight, at 158 pounds, so, you know, that’s just how it all went down.
“As far as Mike Dolce goes; I would never hire him again for anything.”
Dolce declined to comment to MMA Fighting as to what issues he and Penn may have.
Penn also wanted to recognize his longtime striking coach and cornerman, Jason Parillo. Parillo was criticized for Penn’s use of an altered, more upright striking style that proved overwhelmingly ineffective against Edgar.
“I owe it to Jason Parillo to clear his name,” said Penn. “He showed up the week of the fight in Vegas to help corner me. He did not train me in any boxing nor did he help with any game planning for the fight. He did not help or give any advice about cutting the weight or rehydrating myself after the weigh-in. He was only there to be a voice in the corner.”
Saying he believes he can ‘still fight with these guys’ while admitting he ‘should stay retired,’ Penn doesn’t seem interested in competing at a grappling event like Metamoris.
“When it comes to the competition aspect of anything I just love the Ultimate Fighting so much,” said Penn. “I’ve been involved with it for so long. I’m just so used to training for a fight, in those ways, you know, it’d be tough to go back to anything else. I’m not totally counting myself out from doing any professional grappling competitions but one thing that would be different is, I wouldn’t train at all for it.
“I cannot see myself spending money, bringing people down and this and that, for a grappling competition at this point in my life.”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Gamble. Despite the potential of a hefty fine from the NSAC, Chael Sonnen will compete against Andre Galvao at Metamoris 4.
No shot. Cub Swanson is in talks to face Frankie Edgar Oct. 4 in Sweden.
Chat Wrap. Luke Thomas discusses the brawl between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier, Chael Sonnen’s issues competing this weekend at Metatmoris 4 and more in this week’s live chat.
Awful. UFC veteran Josh Grispi was arrested twice in four days for domestic abuse and faces multiple charges for assault and battery.
Ladies and gentlemen. Paul Heyman discusses whether or not Brock Lesnar or C.M. Punk will compete in MMA, the UFC’s business model and returning to WWE.
MEDIA STEW
Vitor Belfort sees holes in Chris Weidman’s game.
Holly Holm talks Ronda Rousey and joining the women’s bantamweight division.
One last trailer for Metamoris 4 which, god willing, will feature Chael Sonnen.
Randy Couture talks Expendables 3.
Reminder that GLORY Last Man Standing is re-airing on Friday.
TTTHS featuring a non-cartoon Ronda Rousey.
Long watches.
TWEETS
It’s on.
When a Gangster says he will make that walk, he MAKES THE WALK.
— chael sonnen (@sonnench) August 7, 2014
No DC.
Or a title shot, whatever.
I’m glad Cub wants to fight me. Let’s give the fans what they deserve on Dec 13 on Fox, 5 rounds. @danawhite @lorenzofertitta @ufc
— Frankie Edgar (@FrankieEdgar) August 7, 2014
Someone step this beef up because it’s awful.
@LukeRockhold wow, you again. Find a hobby or something, whatever it is, please stop crying at me.
— michael (@bisping) August 7, 2014
@LukeRockhold yeah that was 2 weeks ago. I think we’ve all moved on. #getalife
— michael (@bisping) August 7, 2014
@bisping u have split personalities disorder or something? I’m starting to feel bad for your other side lol don’t win aug 23rd I will hurt u
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) August 7, 2014
Congrats.
Thank you @adidascombatusa ! Can’t wait to train in all the great gear 🙂 check em out guys #AdidasCombat #AdidasMMA pic.twitter.com/mUxDLZrzz4
— Joseph Benavidez (@JoeJitsu) August 6, 2014
Want another Hendo-Wandy?
I’m good with it, what do you guys think? RT @luis_coutinho: @wandfc wants trilogy against (cont) http://t.co/QkRK0K9XlP
— Dan Henderson (@danhendo) August 6, 2014
Who do you guys think I should fight next? Let @danawhite know. I’m wanting to fight in the end of the year show mw or lhw it doesnt matter
— Dan Henderson (@danhendo) August 6, 2014
Keep em coming.
Two days later and the internet memes just keeping getting better. #poorsholler #igotthis pic.twitter.com/xxAozI8kMN
— Dave Sholler (@Sholler_UFC) August 6, 2014
The struggle.
Getting custom earpiece. So painful! http://t.co/Bmsg6cuOfw
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 6, 2014
Horrible timing for washing machine to break while I’m in camp. Don’t want to be the smelly kid in class and have tons of laundry.
— TJ Dillashaw (@TJDillashaw) August 7, 2014
Don’t ever text me again asking me, what I’m doing. I will forever be, “Becoming a Supple a Leopard”… http://t.co/f3UT1mmoZb
— Tyson Griffin (@TysonGriffin) August 7, 2014
Waiting in the Physio and Nickelback starts playing…today will truly be a bad day #badomens
— Mitch Clarke (@MitchClarkeMMA) August 6, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Aug. 6 2014)
Demian Maia out, Jordan Mein vs. Mike Pyle at UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Dos Anjos
Raphael Assuncao vs. Bryan Caraway at UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine
Kailin Curran vs. Paige VanZant ay UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via neonfish.
Has Daniel Cormier ‘pushed’ things too far this time?
Coming off the heels of that incredulous media day brawl and a zillion replays of the incident, you may place blame with Jones or Cormier depending on who you are talking to. But having watched the two go about an awkward interview with Kenny Florian on Fox Sports 1 and re-watching the melee one more time, something became very clear to me – there was a strange feeling of deja-vu. Like I’d seen something very similar before except it had gone largely unnoticed.
Let’s go back to UFC 170 when Daniel Cormier had to go up against America’s favorite barista Patrick Cummins who’d decided to air out some dirty laundry from wrestling practice. At the media stare down, Cummins walked towards Cormier with a cocky smile plastered all over his face and no sooner had they even got close to each other did Cormier decide to put his hands on Cummins shoving him back.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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