How you choose to view Hawaiian MMA legend BJ Penn is all about context; in one hand, you have the former Welterweight and Lightweight UFC champion. In the other, you have a 35-year-old veteran, whose only won one fight since 2010.
The case of BJ Penn is a complex one; because his fans find themselves making excuses for some of his so called “failures”. His fight record (16 wins, 9 losses and 2 draws) isn’t exactly exemplary at first glance. But when you consider the nature of this record, it’s something to marvel upon.
Consider the idea that most people view BJ Penn, as a lightweight, one of the scariest individuals the sport of Mixed Martial Arts has ever seen. His record is a reflection of many ventures to unsuitable weight-classes; he’s fought a staggering twelve times outside his optimum weight of lightweight, and even won a title at welterweight by dethroning UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes at UFC 46. In the modern era of combat sports, that’s complete lunacy.
But then again, in many ways, BJ Penn personifies lunacy. He’s from the old school breed of fighter; A breed that is remembered for fighting at open-weight and one known for a focus on the passion for fighting, rather than sporting performance. Because of this view, his stance on weight cutting is, in many ways, inexcusable in 2014. He’s also a strong opponent of PED’s and sporting supplements. His recent venture to welterweight is considered by many as a “shut your eyes and pretend it never happened” moment in MMA, with dominant defeats dished out by both Nick Diaz and Rory MacDonald.
BJ Penn VS Nick Diaz Highlights
And even after these heartbreaking performances, many still find themselves in his corner, expecting the “Old BJ Penn” to come to fruition and deliver the blistering performance we all know he can deliver. Or is that even true anymore? Maybe we’re all victims of wishful thinking, blindly and mindlessly assuming he can still perform at a level he once did, and counting out the effect “Father Time“ has on athletes.
There are also other variables to consider. He’s fighting at a weight he’s never been at (Featherweight, or 145 pounds for our Non-European readers). Basic mathematics dictates this is 10 pounds below his perfect weight of lightweight, but what basic mathematics can’t dictate is what effect this will have on his body. Will he lose stamina, a common effect from a grueling weight cut, or will he be faster, stronger and sharper than he’s ever been?
BJ Penn thinks he’s found a home at Featherweight
He will also has to combat “cage jitters”, a common psychological effect from an extended leave of absence from UFC competition. Although he’s no stranger to the bright lights of fight night, he’s been out of action for more than a year and a half. He will need time to acclimitise himself with an atmosphere he’s had so much wars in, and get a renewed feel of what competing in the UFC is all about.
But most importantly, Frankie Edgar has beaten him already…twice! Edgar, a former lightweight champion in his own right, looked to be faster, hungrier and more youthful than BJ Penn in their previous bouts, and it remains to be seen what BJ Penn can do differently to beat him. This fight perhaps exemplifies Frankie Edgar’s nickname, with Edgar previously being “The Answer” to the jigsaw puzzle that is, BJ Penn.
It’s an interesting predicament, and definitely a fight that UFC fans will pay attention to.
BJ Penn definitely has a mountain to climb, and I wouldn’t be a true MMA fan if I didn’t watch him try and reach the top. He’s truly got his back against the wall, with UFC President Dana White claiming “If he wins, we’ll see what he does from there, but if he loses, I will actually push for him to retire”.
In regards to the fight, Dana White also said, “It could be possibly watching Michael Jordan playing his last basketball game”, “It could be Tiger Woods’ last golf game”. Or it could be the glorious return to a sport Penn truly epitomizes. Could he defeat the odds one last time, and rubbish the idea that “the old dog cant hang anymore”.
The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale (Headlined by Frankie Edgar and BJ Penn) is on July 6th and broadcast from the Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas. To find out how you can watch the fights, click here.
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