Tag: B.J. Penn

Yair Rodriguez Refuses to Urge “Strong” B.J Penn to Retire From MMA

Yair Rodriguez does not feel it is his place to be drawn into the B.J Penn retirement debate.

There is no escaping Rodriguez’s talent, and his display on Sunday’s Fight Night was simply sublime. The question is, did “The Prodigy” have any business being in the octagon? Should the former two-weight world champion retire, considering he is yet to win a fight since 2010?

The UFC hall-of-famer finally returned to the octagon following protracted and fruitless comeback attempts.  Penn was completely destroyed by Rodriguez, who is 14 years his junior, and it certainly did show. The 23 year old Mexican (6-0) has had the opportunity to have his say on Penn’s future, but has been reserved in doing so:

‘I don’t know, man. I cannot say that,’ said Rodriguez. ‘I cannot be the one picking that up.

‘It’s part of his life and his career.

‘It’s up to what he wants to do. I felt him, he’s strong.

‘But it’s up to him, it’s up to him what he wants to do.’

Many in the world of MMA are urging Penn to turn his back on the octagon for good. The Hawaiian legend confirmed his intention to land a shot at the featherweight before Sunday’s bout, but it looks highly unlikely that Penn has what it takes.

Yair Rodriguez, on the other hand, looks like a serious contender. The 6-0 Mexican will have seen his stock rise following the manner of his victory over the legend.

The man known as “El Pantera” is not entirely sure what this win will mean for his immediate future, however:

“For me, personally, it means a lot beating a legend like B.J. Penn, but I don’t know where this fight is going to put me.
“I am going to wait and see what the UFC wants to bring next. I’m not the kind of fighter who’s going to ask for a guy next”.

 

Yair Rodriguez does not feel it is his place to be drawn into the B.J Penn retirement debate.

There is no escaping Rodriguez’s talent, and his display on Sunday’s Fight Night was simply sublime. The question is, did “The Prodigy” have any business being in the octagon? Should the former two-weight world champion retire, considering he is yet to win a fight since 2010?

The UFC hall-of-famer finally returned to the octagon following protracted and fruitless comeback attempts.  Penn was completely destroyed by Rodriguez, who is 14 years his junior, and it certainly did show. The 23 year old Mexican (6-0) has had the opportunity to have his say on Penn’s future, but has been reserved in doing so:

‘I don’t know, man. I cannot say that,’ said Rodriguez. ‘I cannot be the one picking that up.

‘It’s part of his life and his career.

‘It’s up to what he wants to do. I felt him, he’s strong.

‘But it’s up to him, it’s up to him what he wants to do.’

Many in the world of MMA are urging Penn to turn his back on the octagon for good. The Hawaiian legend confirmed his intention to land a shot at the featherweight before Sunday’s bout, but it looks highly unlikely that Penn has what it takes.

Yair Rodriguez, on the other hand, looks like a serious contender. The 6-0 Mexican will have seen his stock rise following the manner of his victory over the legend.

The man known as “El Pantera” is not entirely sure what this win will mean for his immediate future, however:

“For me, personally, it means a lot beating a legend like B.J. Penn, but I don’t know where this fight is going to put me.
“I am going to wait and see what the UFC wants to bring next. I’m not the kind of fighter who’s going to ask for a guy next”.

 

Video: “Father Time” Has Defeated B.J Penn – Frankie Edgar

Frankie Edgar feels the time has come for UFC hall-of-famer B.J Penn to retire.

Yair Rodriguez brutalized “The Prodigy” on Sunday’s UFC Fight Night. The former two-weight world champion had little to offer against the 23 year old Mexican. Penn, a full 15 years older than his opponent at 38, made his first appearance inside the octagon following his TKO loss to Frankie Edgar in July 2014.

Things did not work out well for the MMA legend against his younger foe. Penn was hit by a front head kick and right hand by Rodriguez which sent him to the canvas. A litany of pounding and hammerfists eventually led to referee John McCarthy stopping the fight after 34-seconds.

Rodriguez was complementary to Penn, following his win which takes him to 6-0 in the UFC:

“This was an amazing fight for me; I fought a legend tonight. He [Penn] deserves more respect than I can give him. Thank you for accepting this fight.”

One man who would like to see Penn retire is ex-UFC lightweight champion and (fellow featherweight) Frankie Edgar.

“Father time is undefeated, and that’s what it really is”.

No one likes to see a legend carry on far past their prime.

Watch Edgar’s interview on Penn courtesy of TMZ Sports, here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TrgT3KAkeM

Frankie Edgar feels the time has come for UFC hall-of-famer B.J Penn to retire.

Yair Rodriguez brutalized “The Prodigy” on Sunday’s UFC Fight Night. The former two-weight world champion had little to offer against the 23 year old Mexican. Penn, a full 15 years older than his opponent at 38, made his first appearance inside the octagon following his TKO loss to Frankie Edgar in July 2014.

Things did not work out well for the MMA legend against his younger foe. Penn was hit by a front head kick and right hand by Rodriguez which sent him to the canvas. A litany of pounding and hammerfists eventually led to referee John McCarthy stopping the fight after 34-seconds.

Rodriguez was complementary to Penn, following his win which takes him to 6-0 in the UFC:

“This was an amazing fight for me; I fought a legend tonight. He [Penn] deserves more respect than I can give him. Thank you for accepting this fight.”

One man who would like to see Penn retire is ex-UFC lightweight champion and (fellow featherweight) Frankie Edgar.

“Father time is undefeated, and that’s what it really is”.

No one likes to see a legend carry on far past their prime.

Watch Edgar’s interview on Penn courtesy of TMZ Sports, here:

Video Highlights: Yair Rodriguez TKOs B.J. Penn At UFC Fight Night 103

https://youtu.be/L6GxAKELF-I

At the UFC Fight Night 103 event in Phoenix, Arizona on Sunday night, former TUF Champion and undefeated rising contender Yair Rodriguez proved he is the real deal.

Rodriguez dominated UFC Hall Of Famer and former two…

https://youtu.be/L6GxAKELF-I

At the UFC Fight Night 103 event in Phoenix, Arizona on Sunday night, former TUF Champion and undefeated rising contender Yair Rodriguez proved he is the real deal.

Rodriguez dominated UFC Hall Of Famer and former two-division World Champion B.J. Penn in “The Prodigy’s” out-of-retirement Octagon return, stopping the Hawiian MMA legend with strikes just 24 seconds into the second round.

Featured above and below courtesy of UFC’s official Twitter, Instagram and YouTube pages, are video highlights of Yair Rodriguez vs. B.J. Penn from Sunday night’s UFC Fight Night 103 event in Phoenix.

For complete UFC Fight Night 103 results, click here.

@PanteraUFC WINNER BY TKO!!! #UFCPhoenix

A photo posted by ufc (@ufc) on

B.J. Penn: ‘I’m More Disciplined & A Year More Prepared’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-dg3uZru4c

Fight fans are used to hearing B.J. Penn talking about how motivated he is. Still, “The Prodigy” insists that he is ready to roll in his upcoming featherweight scrap with Yair Rodriguez. The two will be featured in the main event of this Sunday night’s (Jan. 15) UFC Fight Night event. The card will take place inside the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona.

Penn is a UFC Hall of Famer and former two-division champion. With all that he has accomplished, many wonder why Penn is stepping back inside the Octagon after retiring in 2014. He revealed to MMAFighting.com what made him come back:

“What’s still driving me is I want to just keep getting better. I love martial arts. I love everything about it. Definitely, the third title is also 100 percent driving me — getting those three titles in three different weight classes, that would just be an awesome accomplishment for myself, and then I could probably get some sleep at night. That is my driving factor.”

After getting washed by Frankie Edgar in their third bout, many saw Penn as a shell of his former self. Despite the naysayers, Penn simply couldn’t walk away from the sport he loves. He admitted that he was worn down, but he feels he’s been able to put the pieces back together.

“At first, I was burned out. It was burning me out. I was wondering what was going on. But as we sit here today, I’m very glad that I had all this time to prepare. You know what? I would’ve been rushing it to come back (in April). After taking two years off, two solid years off from the gym — I didn’t even walk into the gym once for those two years. So after taking that time off, I was probably rushing to get back. But I guess the world had different plans. And here I am a year later, and I’m a year more prepared. So I believe that it all worked to my benefit.”

Rodriguez recently said Penn “already had his time.” If “The Prodigy” truly is motivated this go-around, “El Pantera” could be in for a tougher fight than many anticipate.

“I’m more disciplined. Right now I’m 153 pounds and just hanging out. I’ve been walking around for the last two months at 156. I’ve been under 160 all year though, so it’s been good. I like being lean. Man, some people were sending me some old pictures last night, and man, I was heavy. Back in my middleweight days and stuff. But yeah, I’m enjoying it. I’ve enjoyed being in shape this year.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-dg3uZru4c

Fight fans are used to hearing B.J. Penn talking about how motivated he is. Still, “The Prodigy” insists that he is ready to roll in his upcoming featherweight scrap with Yair Rodriguez. The two will be featured in the main event of this Sunday night’s (Jan. 15) UFC Fight Night event. The card will take place inside the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona.

Penn is a UFC Hall of Famer and former two-division champion. With all that he has accomplished, many wonder why Penn is stepping back inside the Octagon after retiring in 2014. He revealed to MMAFighting.com what made him come back:

“What’s still driving me is I want to just keep getting better. I love martial arts. I love everything about it. Definitely, the third title is also 100 percent driving me — getting those three titles in three different weight classes, that would just be an awesome accomplishment for myself, and then I could probably get some sleep at night. That is my driving factor.”

After getting washed by Frankie Edgar in their third bout, many saw Penn as a shell of his former self. Despite the naysayers, Penn simply couldn’t walk away from the sport he loves. He admitted that he was worn down, but he feels he’s been able to put the pieces back together.

“At first, I was burned out. It was burning me out. I was wondering what was going on. But as we sit here today, I’m very glad that I had all this time to prepare. You know what? I would’ve been rushing it to come back (in April). After taking two years off, two solid years off from the gym — I didn’t even walk into the gym once for those two years. So after taking that time off, I was probably rushing to get back. But I guess the world had different plans. And here I am a year later, and I’m a year more prepared. So I believe that it all worked to my benefit.”

Rodriguez recently said Penn “already had his time.” If “The Prodigy” truly is motivated this go-around, “El Pantera” could be in for a tougher fight than many anticipate.

“I’m more disciplined. Right now I’m 153 pounds and just hanging out. I’ve been walking around for the last two months at 156. I’ve been under 160 all year though, so it’s been good. I like being lean. Man, some people were sending me some old pictures last night, and man, I was heavy. Back in my middleweight days and stuff. But yeah, I’m enjoying it. I’ve enjoyed being in shape this year.”

Archives: BJ Penn to Fighters: ‘Make Yourself The Money Fight’ (2017)

The conversation surrounding fighter pay has continued into the new year as expected. Earlier this week, Sean O’Malley stated that he understands why Dana White doesn’t provide better pay for the fighters who do not draw well. On this day five years a…

BJ Penn

The conversation surrounding fighter pay has continued into the new year as expected. Earlier this week, Sean O’Malley stated that he understands why Dana White doesn’t provide better pay for the fighters who do not draw well. On this day five years ago, we ran a story where UFC Hall of Famer BJ Penn gave all fighters a bit of advice.

The following article is presented to you in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of The MMA News Archives.

[ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED JANUARY 9, 2017, 7:40 PM]

Headline: BJ Penn to Fighters: ‘Make Yourself The Money Fight’

Author: Fernando Quiles Jr.

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Hall of Famer B.J. Penn knows a thing or two about marquee fights.

“The Prodigy” competed against Georges St. Pierre in a super fight at UFC 94. Penn was the reigning lightweight champion, while “Rush” held the welterweight title. The pay-per-view (PPV) buy rate was estimated at 920,000. Penn’s base salary was $125,000.

A lot has changed since that time and the money has increased. For example, Max Holloway and Anthony Pettis got paid $150,000 to show for their interim title fight at UFC 206. The PPV was only estimated to have done 150,000 buys. Those certainly aren’t buys you’d expect for a super fight, yet both men got paid more than Penn did back in 2009.

Reigning lightweight champion Conor McGregor has played a significant role in some fighters’ change in thinking. With the amount of money “Notorious” makes ($3,500,000 base salary for UFC 205), many competitors, including Tyron Woodley, have tried holding off potential contenders in favor of big money fights.

Penn isn’t thrilled with the new craze. He told FOX Sports that fighters should become the attraction rather than beg to face one:

“I’ll tell you this, I’m not the guy to go out there and say ‘oh give me this money fight, give me that money fight. I look at all these guys doing that and I’m like why don’t you go knock out 100 guys and become the money fight yourself? “(Expletive) (expletive).”

“The Prodigy” will come out of retirement on Sunday (Jan. 15) to face soaring prospect Yair Rodriguez. The bout will be headlining the next UFC Fight Night card. It’ll be Penn’s second fight in the featherweight division. A win over “El Pantera” would be his first in over six years. The action takes place inside the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. The main card will begin at 10 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1).

Continue Reading Archives: BJ Penn to Fighters: ‘Make Yourself The Money Fight’ (2017) at MMA News.

B.J. Penn to Fighters: ‘Make Yourself The Money Fight’

bj-penn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9F7_pYCtnA

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Hall of Famer B.J. Penn knows a thing or two about marquee fights.

“The Prodigy” competed against Georges St. Pierre in a super fight at UFC 94. Penn was the reigning lightweight champion, while “Rush” held the welterweight title. The pay-per-view (PPV) buy rate was estimated at 920,000. Penn’s base salary was $125,000.

A lot has changed since that time and the money has increased. For example, Max Holloway and Anthony Pettis got paid $150,000 to show for their interim title fight at UFC 206. The PPV was only estimated to have done 150,000 buys. Those certainly aren’t buys you’d expect for a super fight, yet both men got paid more than Penn did back in 2009.

Reigning lightweight champion Conor McGregor has played a significant role in some fighters’ change in thinking. With the amount of money “Notorious” makes ($3,500,000 base salary for UFC 205), many competitors, including Tyron Woodley, have tried holding off potential contenders in favor of big money fights.

Penn isn’t thrilled with new craze. He told FOX Sports that fighters should become the attraction rather than beg to face one:

“I’ll tell you this, I’m not the guy to go out there and say ‘oh give me this money fight, give me that money fight. I look at all these guys doing that and I’m like why don’t you go knock out a 100 guys and become the money fight yourself? “(Expletive) (expletive).”

“The Prodigy” will come out of retirement on Sunday (Jan. 15) to face soaring prospect Yair Rodriguez. The bout will be headlining the next UFC Fight Night card. It’ll be Penn’s second fight in the featherweight division. A win over “El Pantera” would be his first in over six years. The action takes place inside the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. The main card will begin at 10 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1).

bj-penn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9F7_pYCtnA

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Hall of Famer B.J. Penn knows a thing or two about marquee fights.

“The Prodigy” competed against Georges St. Pierre in a super fight at UFC 94. Penn was the reigning lightweight champion, while “Rush” held the welterweight title. The pay-per-view (PPV) buy rate was estimated at 920,000. Penn’s base salary was $125,000.

A lot has changed since that time and the money has increased. For example, Max Holloway and Anthony Pettis got paid $150,000 to show for their interim title fight at UFC 206. The PPV was only estimated to have done 150,000 buys. Those certainly aren’t buys you’d expect for a super fight, yet both men got paid more than Penn did back in 2009.

Reigning lightweight champion Conor McGregor has played a significant role in some fighters’ change in thinking. With the amount of money “Notorious” makes ($3,500,000 base salary for UFC 205), many competitors, including Tyron Woodley, have tried holding off potential contenders in favor of big money fights.

Penn isn’t thrilled with new craze. He told FOX Sports that fighters should become the attraction rather than beg to face one:

“I’ll tell you this, I’m not the guy to go out there and say ‘oh give me this money fight, give me that money fight. I look at all these guys doing that and I’m like why don’t you go knock out a 100 guys and become the money fight yourself? “(Expletive) (expletive).”

“The Prodigy” will come out of retirement on Sunday (Jan. 15) to face soaring prospect Yair Rodriguez. The bout will be headlining the next UFC Fight Night card. It’ll be Penn’s second fight in the featherweight division. A win over “El Pantera” would be his first in over six years. The action takes place inside the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. The main card will begin at 10 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1 (FS1).