Former Bellator lightweight contender Marcin Held will have his second Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bout this Sunday night (Jan. 15) inside the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. His opponent will be 38-fight veteran Joe Lauzon.
Held had a disappointing UFC debut against Diego Sanchez back in November. He kept searching for leg locks, but couldn’t get them and as a result, Sanchez remained in control on the ground. Held told MMAJunkie.com that he knows what went wrong in the fight:
“I was disappointed (with my UFC debut). I felt that I’m better than him but I lost it. I think it was my own wish. I (didn’t have) enough cardio because of the high altitude, but that’s only one reason. I think even with this problem I would have won if I fought differently. Take him down, stay on top, stay on the ground. I should have fought stand-up more. I should have done it different, but this time I’m not going to (make) this mistake again. It’s a good lesson for me.”
Held knows he’s in for a tough scrap with Lauzon. The 170-pounder is shooting for a finish.
“I think he will try to take me down, but if not I will fight standing. I know that I will try to finish him for sure. Every one of my fights, I try to do this – and I hope I will be able to do this. But I know he’s very good on the ground so it may be hard. I don’t know how the fight will go, but I believe and I hope I will win it.”
The main event of the upcoming UFC Fight Night card will feature a featherweight clash between the returning UFC Hall of Famer B.J. Penn and Yair Rodriguez. Held vs. Lauzon will be the co-main event.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zNmICr2V4A
Former Bellator lightweight contender Marcin Held will have his second Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bout this Sunday night (Jan. 15) inside the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. His opponent will be 38-fight veteran Joe Lauzon.
Held had a disappointing UFC debut against Diego Sanchez back in November. He kept searching for leg locks, but couldn’t get them and as a result, Sanchez remained in control on the ground. Held told MMAJunkie.com that he knows what went wrong in the fight:
“I was disappointed (with my UFC debut). I felt that I’m better than him but I lost it. I think it was my own wish. I (didn’t have) enough cardio because of the high altitude, but that’s only one reason. I think even with this problem I would have won if I fought differently. Take him down, stay on top, stay on the ground. I should have fought stand-up more. I should have done it different, but this time I’m not going to (make) this mistake again. It’s a good lesson for me.”
Held knows he’s in for a tough scrap with Lauzon. The 170-pounder is shooting for a finish.
“I think he will try to take me down, but if not I will fight standing. I know that I will try to finish him for sure. Every one of my fights, I try to do this – and I hope I will be able to do this. But I know he’s very good on the ground so it may be hard. I don’t know how the fight will go, but I believe and I hope I will win it.”
The main event of the upcoming UFC Fight Night card will feature a featherweight clash between the returning UFC Hall of Famer B.J. Penn and Yair Rodriguez. Held vs. Lauzon will be the co-main event.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) flyweights John Moraga and Sergio Pettis nabbed a main card slot on the UFC Fight Night event this Sunday night (Jan. 15). Once Jimmie Rivera was removed from the event…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qT45h9hSsF4
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) flyweights John Moraga and Sergio Pettis nabbed a main card slot on the UFC Fight Night event this Sunday night (Jan. 15). Once Jimmie Rivera was removed from the event, it opened up the door for both 125-pounders.
Moraga has a “do or die” mentality when it comes to his upcoming bout. He recently said he was fighting for his life because he wasn’t convinced he’d want to fight anywhere else if the UFC released him. The official YouTube channel of the UFC uploaded a new video going through Moraga’s life growing up and how wrestling made him.
Here’s the official description:
“An underdog his whole life, flyweight contender John Moraga was saved by wrestling from the mean streets of Phoenix, Arizona. He makes his return to his hometown against No. 15-ranked Sergio Pettis at Fight Night Phoenix.”
Going into Sunday’s bout, Pettis is a slight favorite. It’s nothing new to Moraga, who thinks it’s business as usual.
“I’ve been an underdog my whole life since I started right here (Maryvale High School). I’ve been an underdog, so it ain’t nothing new to me.”
Moraga’s former wrestling coach Frank Saenz was also featured in the video. He played a huge role in helping Moraga thrive in more dire times. Saenz refused to take the credit.
“John made himself what he is today because he’s a believer. He believes and he believes. I think after that state tournament that he won, that kid (he faced) was ranked 12th in the nation at that time, an All-American. (Moraga) probably lost to this kid 10 times, 12 times prior and won in double overtime. (He) never quit. He excelled and did something that people didn’t think he’d be able to do.”
The UFC Fight Night prelims begin at 8 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1. The main card will air on the same network at 10 p.m. ET. Moraga vs. Pettis is expected to be the main card opener.
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.”
That seems to be the main question being asked about the upcoming main event of UFC Fight Night 103. BJ Penn hasn’t fought since his odd performance against former rival Frankie Edgar. “The Prodigy” will face off against the red hot Yair Rodriguez, a tough challenge for anyone at featherweight. Rodriguez is a young hungry up and comer with a ton of upside. He’s unpredictable and dangerous for that very reason. Once again that same nagging question arises. Why the hell is Penn coming back to face this young hungry lion?
That seems to be the main question being asked about the upcoming main event of UFC Fight Night 103. BJ Penn hasn’t fought since his odd performance against former rival Frankie Edgar. “The Prodigy” will face off against the red hot Yair Rodriguez, a tough challenge for anyone at featherweight. Rodriguez is a young hungry up and comer with a ton of upside. He’s unpredictable and dangerous for that very reason. Once again that same nagging question arises. Why the hell is Penn coming back to face this young hungry lion?
1. To secure his legacy
What has BJ Penn done really? He hasn’t accomplished all that much in the sport as far as I’m concerned. Beating the once thought unbeatable Matt Hughes for the welterweight championship ship. Not that big a deal. Winning the UFC lightweight championship with ease? Nothing to write home about. Truthfully, Penn hasn’t done all that much in the sport….
The theory that BJ Penn needs to secure his legacy with a win on Saturday night. BJ Penn has competed at a high level in several weight classes and acquitted himself well. He’s won both the welterweight and lightweight championships. BJ Penn is a Goddamn legend in the sport. That rules out this bout being a legacy fight.
2. To become champion once again
If you’re competing in MMA then the goal is to be champion. At least that’s the goal for some fighters. The truth of the matter is that while so many individuals compete in order to make a living, or at the very least supplement their income, BJ Penn comes from money. He wants for nothing. The idea that he’d be fighting for money is ludicrous. So he must be fighting to become a champion once again. It’s certainly possible and stranger things have happened. Being a three weight division champion would make him stand head and shoulders over the competition where legacy is concerned.
3. To realize his potential
This in my opinion is the reason for Penn’s return. BJ Penn has always been gifted, blessed with the uncanny ability to pick up on skills and techniques with venerable ease. He took to Brazilian jiu-jitsu with gusto and became a black belt in record time. He learned to box with sharp technique dominating a great deal of his opponents with superior skill. And it was all done while Penn wasn’t even pushing himself to the limits of his potential.
But as the game evolved Penn was forced to do the same. When he was under the tutelage of Marv Marinovich years ago we finally got a glimpse of the fully realized potential that was locked away in the former lightweight and welterweight kingpin. Though their partnership was for a short time, we saw in Penn a gas tank that seemed never ending, having the stamina to battle for five full rounds. Since parting with Marinovich we’ve seen Penn’s performances take a bit of hit leading to the current skid that he’s currently riding.
Penn understands that the well runs deep in regards to his talent. It’s fair to say that he’s only had one opportunity in which he reached the absolute pinnacle of his potential. Having the knowledge that he’s able to perform past his own expectations likely pushed him to give it one more go. Picking Jackson Winklejohn as his new base of operations wasn’t a mistake. It shows that he’s willing to go to a premiere camp filled with killers that are going to push him to his limit. Come January 14 we’ll see how effective the move will prove.
Do we see the old BJ Penn or will Yair Rodriguez tear his face off?
Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his Twitter and Facebook to keep up with his antics.
After being out of the sport for nearly three years, UFC Hall of Famer BJ Penn returns this weekend to take on Yair Rodriguez in a featherweight bout in the main event of UFC Fight Night 103. Last January when Penn announced that he would return to the UFC, he vowed that he was in
After being out of the sport for nearly three years, UFC Hall of Famer BJ Penn returns this weekend to take on Yair Rodriguez in a featherweight bout in the main event of UFC Fight Night 103. Last January when Penn announced that he would return to the UFC, he vowed that he was in this for the long haul as it would have been his third return to the promotion. His goal is to be the featherweight champion.
He was going to ride this sucker until the wheels fell off, regardless of what that meant. He believes that his upcoming fight is his first step towards UFC gold.
“My whole goal right now is to just get that third world title,” Penn told MMA Fighting.“And then we’ll see. If it takes a little while, maybe we walk away. If we get it quick, then maybe we go to 155. I don’t know. I don’t know, but I know … I’m in here to fight and I’m going to win on Sunday, and you’re going to see me again quick after this, for sure.”
For the first time in a long time, Penn feels confident that he has given himself the best chance to succeed in MMA.
“I’m more disciplined,” Penn said. “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.”
“What’s still driving me is I want to just keep getting better,” Penn said. “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. But man, it’s more than that. I just love it. I love fighting. I love the competition. I love the struggle. That’s what it is, man. It’s a struggle, and I love it.”
UFC Fight Night 103 takes place on Sunday, January 15, 2017, at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. The prelims on Fight Pass will feature four bouts starting at 6:15 p.m. ET while the FOX Sports 1 prelims will feature four bouts starting at 8 p.m. ET.
With three events set over the course of the coming weekend, MMA fans who are not currently subscribers to UFC Fight Pass are in luck.
UFC officials announced a free-preview weekend for the digital streaming service that kicks off at 11:59 p.m. ET this evening and runs through Sunday at midnight ET. UFC Fight Pass costs $9.99 per month or $7.99 a month if paid in full for a year.
With the preview set, fans will be able to watch TKO 37: Rivals Friday night, Invicta FC 21 Saturday and the early prelims to UFC Fight Night 103 on Sunday. The library will also be made available for viewing, which includes past pay-per-views, fight cards and reality series episodes.
“This is a thank you to our fans,” UFC Senior Vice President and UFC Fight Pass General Manager Eric Winter said. “In 2016, Fight Pass live-streamed over 100 fight cards live and exclusively, and we’re excited to begin the new year by showcasing the first of many action packed weekends on Fight Pass.”
With three events set over the course of the coming weekend, MMA fans who are not currently subscribers to UFC Fight Pass are in luck.
UFC officials announced a free-preview weekend for the digital streaming service that kicks off at 11:59 p.m. ET this evening and runs through Sunday at midnight ET. UFC Fight Pass costs $9.99 per month or $7.99 a month if paid in full for a year.
With the preview set, fans will be able to watch TKO 37: Rivals Friday night, Invicta FC 21 Saturday and the early prelims to UFC Fight Night 103 on Sunday. The library will also be made available for viewing, which includes past pay-per-views, fight cards and reality series episodes.
“This is a thank you to our fans,” UFC Senior Vice President and UFC Fight Pass General Manager Eric Winter said. “In 2016, Fight Pass live-streamed over 100 fight cards live and exclusively, and we’re excited to begin the new year by showcasing the first of many action packed weekends on Fight Pass.”
