It’s hard to believe BJ Penn when he says that he’s rediscovered “that old fire” for his upcoming UFC on Fox 5 match against Rory MacDonald.For what it’s worth, he sounded ready to fight on today’s media call, promising to put on a show.And sure, we’ve…
It’s hard to believe BJ Penn when he says that he’s rediscovered “that old fire” for his upcoming UFC on Fox 5 match against Rory MacDonald.
For what it’s worth, he sounded ready to fight on today’s media call, promising to put on a show.
And sure, we’ve all seen that Thanksgiving video of a fit-looking Penn shadowboxing in his front yard, flexing his abs for legions of still-faithful fans.
But at the end of the day, that doesn’t really mean anything.
Oh, golly gee! BJ Penn sure looks shredded for his next fight! That’s…common.
At least, it would be common for any UFC fighter not named BJ Penn.
But over the years, we’ve grown accustomed to seeing “The Prodigy” turn up for welterweight fights looking soft and undercut. Even Penn himself noted it, saying that he trained extra hard after MacDonald called him out on his pudgy physique.
Now, Penn looks like he got in shape for a 170-pound fight. Hooray. That’s what he should’ve been doing all along.
Giving “The Prodigy” credit for getting fit is like praising a morbidly obese person for drinking diet sodas. It’s really just a minor step toward solving the much bigger problem at hand.
Is Penn still going to gas out halfway through the fight?
Is he going to mentally quit if Rory Mac turns up the pressure?
Those are the far more interesting questions we won’t get answers to until Dec. 8. But given Penn’s track record, it really won’t be much of a shock to see him turn in a half-hearted performance during the Fox main card.
Don’t get me wrong—it would be amazing if the UFC legend was able to dominate MacDonald, licking blood off his gloves and taunting a broken, defeated opponent.
But that’s unlikely to happen.
Every good fighter has an opponent that breaks him. Jon Jones broke Brandon Vera. Cain Velasquez broke Brock Lesnar. Gabriel Gonzaga broke Mirko Cro Cop.
And I believe that Frankie Edgar broke BJ Penn.
Nearly every time Penn has been on the ropes and forced to dig deep for a win, he had nothing more to give. He didn’t have enough fire to beat Georges St-Pierre or Jon Fitch. He didn’t have the will to beat Nick Diaz. And it’s hard to expect anything different when he faces Rory MacDonald.
The UFC and FOX are a little more than one year into the seven-year partnership and if one is to listen to UFC president Dana White and FOX Sports Media Group president Eric Shanks, things are going better than planned and only looking up. The partners…
The UFC and FOX are a little more than one year into the seven-year partnership and if one is to listen to UFC president Dana White and FOX Sports Media Group president Eric Shanks, things are going better than planned and only looking up.
The partnership has its doubters in the MMA community, with most of the naysayers pointing to what they perceive as lackluster ratings from the four events that have appeared on FOX since Nov. 12 of last year. To listen to Shanks, those folks have it all wrong:
The first year was really to get the mainstream advertiser base behind it and also to promote the UFC with the likes of the NFL and Major League Baseball and college football and make it part of a big FOX Sports portfolio, we’ve done that.
This is exactly where we thought we would be, if not ahead and with some of the things that we’re talking about with Dana and Lorenzo (Fertitta, UFC CEO), this relationship is going to look different over the next two years, three years and it’s only going to get bigger because you’re going to get much more economic support from the advertiser base behind it and when that happens, this thing is going to be one of the top sports in the US on television.
The UFC will hold it’s fifth event on FOX on Dec. 8 when it travels to the Key Arena in Seattle, Wash., to present a card headlined by a UFC title bout, something the promotion has not done since they debuted on FOX with the Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos bout. The Seattle event will feature lightweight champion Benson Henderson defending his crown against Nate Diaz.
In addition to a current champion fighting on the card, two former champions will step inside the Octagon in Seattle as BJ Penn faces Rory MacDonald and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua will meet Alexander Gustafsson.
As far as getting a championship bout on this card and the next FOX card, which will take place on Jan. 26, 2013 in Chicago, White said, that’s just the way things shook out:
As far as timing, this is the way it lined up and the same thing with the (Demetrious) Johnson (vs. John Dodson title fight booked for Chicago) fight. I’ve always believed that you showcase these guys on free television and it helps build the sport, it helps build these fighters.
As for future plans, Shanks said that the UFC would play a bigger role with the FOX Sports group as time goes on, including the possibility of a card taking place on he weekend of Super Bowl XLVIII.
FOX will be televising the Super Bowl in 2014 from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., and to hear Shanks tell it, he would like nothing more than to have a UFC event to go with the biggest sporting event in the world:
We think that Super Bowl week in New York is going to be unlike anything else. We’re going to own the city, we’re going to own that week of sports television and there’s nothing better we can think of than a big fight that week. We’re talking to Dana and Lorenzo about that, we’re seeing if they can put it together.
If the two sides can put a card together, it would make perfect sense to hold the event at the IZOD Center, which sits in the shadows of MetLife Stadium and has hosted UFC events in the past.
Then again, there’s always the off chance that MMA will be legal in New York by that time, which could possibly open the door for the UFC to hold its first event in Madison Square Garden.
The Super Bowl and a UFC event in the Garden, one can dream, right?
**all quotes obtained by BR MMA from Tuesday’s UFC on FOX media call
The UFC on Fox 5 media call was held this afternoon featuring Dana White, Eric Shanks and five of the top six fighters on the stacked December 8th card from Seattle. Alex Gustafsson was unable to make the call, but it didn’t matter as most media q…
The UFC on Fox 5 media call was held this afternoon featuring Dana White, Eric Shanks and five of the top six fighters on the stacked December 8th card from Seattle. Alex Gustafsson was unable to make the call, but it didn’t matter as most media questions were directed at returning legend BJ Penn.
Penn is making a much-anticipated return to the Octagon against rising star Rory MacDonald. After losing to Nick Diaz over one year ago, Penn hinted at retirement. The opportunity to fight MacDonald brought him back.
Here are some comments from Penn taken from the conference call:
“I can’t sit around, I should do this while I can. Rory is one of the top guys so to fight him is a good one for me. Team Tristar is a great team. This is a great fight all around for me.”
“I really expect a lot of myself on Dec 8th. I got together with my former training team and we took my belly off. The best thing for me was the fight being postponed. Rory said he saw me and I looked fat. That he is gonna kill me in the cage and that really lit a fire under me. I expect the best BJ Penn we have ever seen.”
The young Canadian, MacDonald, has thrown a lot of disrespect towards Penn leading up to the fight. Penn has also thrown out allegations of Rory using performance-enhancing drugs. Penn refused to get into that too much today.:
“I’m not gonna sit here and get into that. I’m not gonna point fingers. Doping is a pain staking thing for the UFC. I’m not saying Rory you do steroids. I’m just trying to cover myself and look out for my own butt and make sure things are fair.”
Penn was asked his opinion on superfights, and he had glowing praise for president Dana White:
“Superfights are great. It causes a lot of hype and Dana knows that. It’s awesome. it’s what this sport is about getting the two best fighters in the world in the ring. He doesn’t allow Mayweather-Pacquiao situations, Dana White is the man.”
Penn has been in the fight game a long time and has faced the best of the best. Why does a fight with someone as UFC green as Rory MacDonald interest him? Have MacDonald’s comments given him extra motivation?
“Fighting is not a sport for me. It’s still a fight for me. I go into the fight and I just love it when my opponent says things like that. It’s all wonderful I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
MMA Heat’s Karyn Bryant asked BJ if he concerns himself with his legacy. “I was telling Dana, I watch all these interviews. No one says my name in the greatest fighters anymore and it’s my fault. I told Dana I have a real problem with that.”
What about the people who do mention him in the best of the best all time? “I want to thank all those people even Benson Henderson always gives me props. I want to be known as one of the best. I have some things left to accomplish.”
The call ended with a question about the GSP-Silva superfight. Penn was asked if he agrees with how GSP is handling it. Penn was soft in his response. “That fight is for George. I don’t want to say much on that. Everybody on this call knows what BJ would do.”
We do know what Penn would do and that is why he is one of the best of all time.
Like GSP against Penn last time, and like Silva against GSP in the future superfight, MacDonald will have a huge size advantage over Penn come December 8th. Penn simply doesn’t care and will risk it.
That is what sets him apart.
Dwight Wakabayashi is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA and guest blogger for Sportsnet.ca UFC. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained firsthand.
Check out the short video above and ask yourself one question: Has BJ Penn ever looked in better shape for a 170-pound fight? The former two-division champ released this video on Thanksgiving — 16 days before his December 8th meeting with Rory MacDonald at UFC on FOX 5 — and the video title claims that he’s already at 175 pounds, a quick schvitz away from making his welterweight limit. And to borrow an uncomfortable running gag from the UG, that’s 175 pounds of solid, thick, tightness.
If I didn’t know better, I’d say the Prodigy might be hitting the…actually, I’m not even going to go there. But bottom line, this is what a “motivated Penn” looks like. We found him, you guys. And for comparison, this is what a trench-coat model looks like. Does BJ have one more triumph left in him?
Check out the short video above and ask yourself one question: Has BJ Penn ever looked in better shape for a 170-pound fight? The former two-division champ released this video on Thanksgiving — 16 days before his December 8th meeting with Rory MacDonald at UFC on FOX 5 — and the video title claims that he’s already at 175 pounds, a quick schvitz away from making his welterweight limit. And to borrow an uncomfortable running gag from the UG, that’s 175 pounds of solid, thick, tightness.
If I didn’t know better, I’d say the Prodigy might be hitting the…actually, I’m not even going to go there. But bottom line, this is what a “motivated Penn” looks like. We found him, you guys. And for comparison, this is what a trench-coat model looks like. Does BJ have one more triumph left in him?
Reaching a position where the word “champion” is placed before your name is no easy task under the UFC banner. The feat becomes all the more impressive when such a label is obtained in the dog-eat-dog world of the 155-pound weight class, where over the…
Reaching a position where the word “champion” is placed before your name is no easy task under the UFC banner. The feat becomes all the more impressive when such a label is obtained in the dog-eat-dog world of the 155-pound weight class, where over the past two years, the division has become jam-packed with championship-caliber contenders.
For UFC lightweight titleholder Benson Henderson, it is a position he has zero intentions of giving up any time soon. But despite having held the divisional strap since February, the buzz surrounding Henderson’s remains moderate.
This is due, in large part, to the manner in which he claimed the crown from former champion Frankie Edgar. Over the course of 10 hard-fought rounds, and two close decision victories (one unanimous, one split) Henderson edged out the scrappy, Toms River native to earn and then defend the UFC lightweight title. The end result left “Smooth” claiming top status in the ultra-competitive division, but the feeling of a title reign in process, is seemingly yet to kick in.
While no one disagrees that Henderson has earned his place in the upper echelon of the lightweight division, the way his pair of fights with former champion Frankie Edgar played out, has lead many to wonder if the champion is truly the top fighter in the deep and talented 155-pound ranks.
The 29-year old MMA Lab product will have the perfect opportunity to silence the critics, and establish a dominant reign over the division when he steps into the Octagon against number one contender Nate Diaz at UFC on Fox 5 in Seattle, WA.
Being able to move past the questions is certainly added motivation, but Henderson is not the first lightweight champion to be doubted in the court of public opinion. In fact, to have the MMA world question the legitimacy of your championship, is something the previous belt holder knew all too well.
The Frankie Edgar Effect
Before the days of immediate rematches and underdog champions, the lightweight division was ruled by B.J. Penn. A former welterweight champion turned 155-pound wrecking machine, “The Prodigy” logged the most dominant chapter of his storied career, reigning atop the lightweight division.
After putting a sound thrashing on Diego Sanchez at UFC 107, the list of proven contenders ran thin. For the next challenge, the UFC tapped rising prospect Frankie Edgar for a showdown with Penn at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi. It was a matchup the champion was heavily favored to win, but Edgar executed a near-perfect game plan en route to the upset.
Immediately following the victory over Penn, the biggest moment of Edgar’s career came under fire as portions of the MMA world cried foul.
The noise generated was enough for the UFC to book an immediate rematch and give Penn an opportunity to regain the lightweight title at UFC 118. But rather than Boston being the former two-divisional champion’s night for redemption, it became “The Answers” moment for validation.
Edgar left zero doubt, hanging in the balance, as he routed Penn for five rounds to earn the unanimous decision victory.
Unfortunately for Edgar, this trend would repeat over his next two trips into the Octagon. After a five-round war with Gray Maynard, which resulted in a majority draw at UFC 125, Edgar’s title reign once again came under question.
But after closing the book on their trilogy in decisive fashion at UFC 136, Edgar finally appeared ready to move forward into the next phase of his title reign.
That progress would ultimately be halted by Henderson at UFC 144 in Japan, in a bout where Edgar’s championship fate would be decided on the judge’s cards. It was a great victory for Henderson but the immediate rematch granted to the New Jersey native, cast a shadow on the beginning of his title run, similar to what Edgar experienced following his win in Abu Dhabi.
The situation would only amplify after Henderson’s split-decision victory over Edgar at UFC 150 in Denver. It was a fight where a dominant Henderson performance could have pushed the doubters aside. Instead, a controversial decision echoed through the MMA fanbase, slowing Henderson’s transition into his new role as the man to beat in the lightweight division.
The Road Ahead
There is absolutely zero reason to believe any of the doubt or criticism has affected Henderson in a negative fashion. Since his days as a WEC champion, the Colorado native has consistently operated with both class and confidence as he’s steamrolled his way from the “little blue cage” to the top of the UFC lightweight division.
Henderson’s road to the title came against difficult opposition, and hard-fought victories over the likes of Mark Bocek, Jim Miller, Clay Guida and Frankie Edgar have made for an impressive resume. That being said, the stigma still lingers, and his upcoming bout with Diaz is the perfect opportunity to put a signature stamp on his title run.
The Stockton native is a unique obstacle, but should Henderson emerge with gold intact, the critics chipping at the legitimacy of his title will fall by the wayside. Diaz will be riding the momentum of three impressive performances into the Octagon when the two men throw down in Seattle and a Henderson victory will make a huge statement.
In less than two weeks that moment will come front and center. Henderson will have the opportunity to prove, beyond all doubt, the lightweight title is his for the keeping.
A victory over Diaz will make room for the next contender to emerge, but with his ambition set to challenge Anderson Silva‘s record number of title defenses; Henderson will be looking to keep things moving down the road.
In two weeks, the UFC heads back to FOX for a night of fights that promise to be memorable. Exciting fighters Nate Diaz, Shogun Rua and Mike Swick fill the card with both name value and a desire to finish fights at all costs.The last time that the UFC …
In two weeks, the UFC heads back to FOX for a night of fights that promise to be memorable. Exciting fighters Nate Diaz, Shogun Rua and Mike Swick fill the card with both name value and a desire to finish fights at all costs.
The last time that the UFC went to FOX, we saw some incredible knockouts as well as a Fight of the Year candidate. Will this show surpass the entertainment value of it’s predecessor?
In a sport where more and more fighters are “playing it safe” in hopes of avoiding a loss, this is a time for us to celebrate the pugilists who still want to thrill the crowd with a vicious beatdown or scintillating submission.
Here is a countdown of the 10 most exciting fighters currently competing in the UFC.
It’s hard to believe BJ Penn when he says that he’s rediscovered “that old fire” for his upcoming UFC on Fox 5 match against Rory MacDonald.