The “perfect storm” of a Randy Couture resignation, Sean Sherk steroids appeal and the long-awaited showdown between former champions Chuck Liddell and Wanderlei Silva in December has perhaps bumped the 155-pound UFC 79 title fight that includes BJ Penn to a later date.
In fact, FightNetwork.com is reporting that it could go down in early February during SuperBowl weekend (the date Couture was supposed to defend his crown).
“The Prodigy” was penciled in for the New Year’s Eve weekend event to face either Sherk or Joe Stevenson (if Sherk is suspended) for the lightweight title. Even before that Penn was supposed to challenge “The Muscle Shark” during the main event at UFC 78 next month.
However, the current division champ tested positive for steroids following his successful title defense against Hermes Franca in July at UFC 73. He has appealed the decision and the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) will issue a ruling on October 31.
Deep breath.
Therefore, with one title already on the line come December 29 (Matt Serra vs. Matt Hughes) and a headliner-worthy match up between Liddell and Silva also more than likely on the undercard, it’s possible that the presence of Penn on UFC 79 is unnecessary.
In fact, the eventual fight could be used to sell seats and pay-per-views (PPVs) to a show just a few weeks later.
Nothing is set in stone or official at this time. There just seems to be some musical match-making chairs going on behind the scenes that we want to pass along.
Stay tuned for more details. This picture should be cleared up after this weekend and the hearing on Halloween.
In the meantime check out the UFC 79: “Nemesis” card right here.
47 Comments »
So what are they going to do with the 155lb title? Just keep it on hold? That’s no fun.
[quote comment="184555"]So what are they going to do with the 155lb title? Just keep it on hold? That’s no fun.[/quote]
He’ll fight for the title the next time the title is up for grabs. Right now, yes, it’s on hold.
I have no problem with them postponing it, i understand. But they have got to stop doing that with the lightweight belt.
I hope Sherk retains the belt and fights him that night.I want to see another stacked card.They have enough talent that they should be able to find other headlining fights for other events.Maybe not with the Bisping/Evans headliner.Anyway,lets see a mega event!!
Ah well… I was hoping it was still a go even with the Chuck/Wand fight. It would be nice if the UFC 79 card was blowout.
Finally BJ PENN will become LW CHAMP. There is no one in the UFC who can stop him. HE is the greatest.
Yea sure, there is no one who can stop him. Are you stupid ?
These delays are terrible. Ever since he beat Pulver I’ve been wantign to see him win the belt. He would have beaten old roid head sherk for sure
[quote comment="184607"]Yea sure, there is no one who can stop him. Are you stupid ?[/quote]
Who’s going to stop him? Name me one person in the lightweight division who can beat him.
Joe Stevenson= NO
Kenny Florian= NO
Sean Sherk= NO(Even if he were roided up)
After he wins the Belt he will go back to welterweight and win that title from either GSP, Serra, or Hughes. He will win against GSP the second time around. He only lossed because of GSP’s takedowns. There was no other fighter to damage GSP like BJ PENN did. YOU can’t say that Serra did because the fight did not go the duration that GSP/PENN fight did. BJ PENN will than defeat Matt Hughes for the second time. Lastly if Matt Serra is some how still champ, BJ PENN will beat him AGAIN.
PS: There’s no need for name-calling because you ain’t got nothing on me son.
BJ Penn is: Great fighter? yes.
Cocky? hell yes.
[quote comment="184568"]I have no problem with them postponing it, i understand. But they have got to stop doing that with the lightweight belt.[/quote]
Momentum in the past has been lost when trying to build recognition for that weight class, postponing it may not necessarily be benefical for 155lbs sake.
pUniSHment, wow, did you read what you just wrote?
“There was no other fighter to damage GSP like BJ PENN did. YOU can’t say that Serra did because the fight did not go the duration that GSP/PENN fight did.” The reason the Serra fight ended so quickly is because SERRA DID MORE DAMAGE IN LESS TIME THAN BJ PENN YOU MORON. In other words, you are just saying that BJ Penn took more time to lose.
As far as 155lbs goes BJ Penn is most likely the best, but Sean Sherk has improved (roided up or not) since the days of him fighting GSP and Hughes, that would be a great matchup. I don’t see Stevenson, Florian or anyone else in that weight class ‘naturally’ better than BJ. BJ is 30 yrs young and still has a legitimate shot at taking the 170lb title as well in the future.
BJ didn’t had a seperated rib in the 170lbs Hughes fight, and was winning until then… but hey’ injuring your opponent knowingly or unknowingly is part of MMA!
IMO.
i hope sherk gets his suspension over turned, him vs. bj penn is the fight i want to see and i have no problem waiting until early feb. to see it, even though i think it would be awesome to have that fight, chuck/wandy and matt vs. matt all on the same card, damn that would be tight!!
I have no problem with them postponing it, i understand. But they have got to stop doing that with the lightweight belt.
I laughed out loud for this one.
I really wish they would consider the roger huerta, clay guida fight just to bring more competition into the weight class, and also kill all the hype around huerta.
I hope Sherk does not get suspended (even though it already seems like it), and i really hope he gets to keep his crown. A match between BJ and Sherk would finally make me happy since I want to find out who the real lightweight champ is. I agree with tha spida with his comment.
i am glad they told us now and not after sunday when people buy there tickets for nemesis and find out the card has been scratched.
I really can’t believe how continually f**ked up the LW division is. These guys are (IMHO) the most exciting, most technical and possibly the deepest talent pool in the UFC.
Why, for f**k’s sake can we not see a simple championship fight? I like the steroid shark, but dammit, I’m tired of these continualy delays on his account. Get Sherk out of there and let’s get on with the fight already!!
Sean Sherk is not even worthy of being a champ. He is the lay and pray king. He never does any damage from side control or on top. He cheats, he lied about the steroid use and if Barry Bonds can catch the rap he has why should it be any different for the all american roid monster. Sticking needles in his ass to make up for his 5′3″ frame should not be the message we send to our youth. As if its ok to do DRUGS with needles.
BJ hit it right on the nose. “Hey Sean grow some balls” and get in the cage with out the drugs.
PS. BJ would make him look silly… stand up or on the ground
Sherk aint the athelete Penn is, it will go the distance but be ugly in favor or Penn
Actually Sherk would manhandle penn like there was no tomorrow. i didn’t call you stupid, i asked if you were stupid. LOL yea he can really take it from GSP, yea sure. your daydreaming now. I’d put my money on Vera holding 2 belts , not Penn.
I really hope Diego moves down to 155 and fights BJ. Everybody that is laughing? My money would be on the nightmare.
As much as I like BJ Penn as a fighter, I think Sherk would still pound the crap out of him.
Dana treats fighters like crap, you know what happens when things sit on the shelf for to long, they go bad.
GSP
BJ PEN
both beat Hughes is this punishment for beating the golden boy? or are you just making them wait so they run out of steam and momentum by the time they fight.
Dana you’re an Idiot!
[quote comment="184598"]Finally BJ PENN will become LW CHAMP. There is no one in the UFC who can stop him. HE is the greatest.[/quote]
ARE YOU SERIOUS DUDE…BJ has never even defended a title..you realize that right??
BJ is highly overrated………great fighter,just highly overrated.
PP I hope Diego just stays home, he’s been exposed, Kos and fitched proved what I always knew..OVERATED.
Even Kos is overrated, when I think he could have had a title shot. The fact that GSP had to fight him, was just disrespectful to Rush.
Sherk is being suspended and stripped of the title you wont see him fighting anytime soon anyway BJ would work him.
[quote comment="184954"]Actually Sherk would manhandle penn like there was no tomorrow. i didn’t call you stupid, i asked if you were stupid. LOL yea he can really take it from GSP, yea sure. your daydreaming now. I’d put my money on Vera holding 2 belts , not Penn.[/quote]
Who has Vera beat to get this respect you give him, sure he’s an entertaining fighter to watch, but he beat a busted up Mir big deal.
Kos being in the Top 10 just shows how blind some people are.
[quote comment="184791"]I really can’t believe how continually f**ked up the LW division is. These guys are (IMHO) the most exciting, most technical and possibly the deepest talent pool in the UFC.
Why, for f**k’s sake can we not see a simple championship fight? I like the steroid shark, but dammit, I’m tired of these continualy delays on his account. Get Sherk out of there and let’s get on with the fight already!![/quote]
Exactly, I just want to great match ups and get resolution already. Enough is enough. The answer is coming soon, 10/31 is around the corner. I feel sorry or BJ- I know he’s gotta be hungry to get back in there.
God forbid Dana leaves the card stacked as it is. Its gonna be the next pay per view after the main event less November fiasco and you think Dana would make up for it by leaving the card as stacked as it is… but NO!
Enough with the crap, Just tell us what the freaking card will be already.
[quote comment="185200"]BJ is highly overrated………great fighter,just highly overrated.[/quote]
name the guys at lw and ww that you think can beat b.j. at his best. i can only think of one and that is gsp. he’s actually fought at lhw against machida and that fight was almost even so i dont think b.j. fighting at 185 at mw is out of his realm. 3 titles in 3 different weight classes is something i think b.j. can achieve.
[quote comment="185200"]BJ is highly overrated………great fighter,just highly overrated.[/quote] name the fighters at lw and ww that you think can beat b.j. at his best. i can only think of one and that is gsp. i think b.j. can even contend for the mw title at 185. he’s already fought machida at lhw and fought him evenly being out of shape. 3 titles in 3 different weight classes is something i think b.j can achieve.
[quote comment="185454"][quote comment="185200"]BJ is highly overrated………great fighter,just highly overrated.[/quote] name the fighters at lw and ww that you think can beat b.j. at his best. i can only think of one and that is gsp. i think b.j. can even contend for the mw title at 185. he’s already fought machida at lhw and fought him evenly being out of shape. 3 titles in 3 different weight classes is something i think b.j can achieve.[/quote]
For anyone to hate on BJ Penn is just so freaking idiotic. I mean the guy is sooooo talented and a true scrappy hawian warrior. He is the definition of a true fighter and his skills are second to no one. Only fighter in LW and WW division that could be a problem for BJ is GSP, with that being said I believe BJ should have won the 1st fight against GSP. I am a huge BJ Penn and GSP fan so my point of view isn’t biased its reality.
If you hate and dont recognize the skill of BJ Penn, what exacltly do you like about mma then?
Ro-J… I write that Diego-Kos fight off. That wasnt Diego and that Fitch fight was a close fight man. The reason Fitch won was because he is huge.. He is naturally over 200 lbs. Combine that with his superior wrestling and he was able to control position. Even still, Diego fought a hell of a fight and sunk in some great submissions. I thought the fight was really close.
Drop Diego down to 155 and he’ll be hard to stop.
Delays like these are the reason why I have to give guys like Chuck Liddell and Matt Hughes all the credit in the world.
Love or hate these guys, but Liddell and Hughes defended their belts like 2-3 times a year. For Hughes, it seemed like he was defending his belt every other month.
Because of TUF, it feels like Serra has owned the belt for years now. The LW division belt is in limbo as is the HW belt.
Rampage and Silva please keep doing your thing. GSP please retain the belt and hold on to it for at least a title defense or two. BJ, destroy submit everyone in the LW division then chase GSP. And please, GOD forbid, do not let Tim Sylvia become HW champ again. Although, he did look hungry and said all the key words (exciting fight, knockout) in the prefight press conference.
they just should of had BJ fight Stevenson at 78 for the title after stripping Sherk and if Sherk wins the appeal have him fight the winner
[quote comment="184571"]I hope Sherk retains the belt and fights him that night.I want to see another stacked card.They have enough talent that they should be able to find other headlining fights for other events.Maybe not with the Bisping/Evans headliner.Anyway,lets see a mega event!![/quote]
but then that means u can only have 1 more fight that will definatly be on PPV because thats what 10 possible rounds in just 2 matches thats alot
[quote comment="184617"][quote comment="184607"]Yea sure, there is no one who can stop him. Are you stupid ?[/quote]
Who’s going to stop him? Name me one person in the lightweight division who can beat him.
Joe Stevenson= NO
Kenny Florian= NO
Sean Sherk= NO(Even if he were roided up)
After he wins the Belt he will go back to welterweight and win that title from either GSP, Serra, or Hughes. He will win against GSP the second time around. He only lossed because of GSP’s takedowns. There was no other fighter to damage GSP like BJ PENN did. YOU can’t say that Serra did because the fight did not go the duration that GSP/PENN fight did. BJ PENN will than defeat Matt Hughes for the second time. Lastly if Matt Serra is some how still champ, BJ PENN will beat him AGAIN.
PS: There’s no need for name-calling because you ain’t got nothing on me son.[/quote]
but Serra DID hurt GSP more because he knocked him out in the 1st round so
[quote comment="184766"]i am glad they told us now and not after sunday when people buy there tickets for nemesis and find out the card has been scratched.[/quote]
hey people bought tickets for 78 even b4 1 match was announced lol
Penn only banged up gsp after the illegal eye poke, leaving him seeing double, and then getting clipped in the nose which cause all that blood. I really don’t get how some think penn won that fight, he may have won round one but rounds two and three clearly belong to gsp, what did penn do in those rounds to win them? I personally feel if they fought again gsp would destroy penn and finish him convincingly. Penn is a tough guy but I feel he’s overrated by most and I’m not even convinced he could take the belt away from sherk, provided he’s cleared. If penn’s conditioning and strength matched his talent THEN I would jump aboard the bang wagon, he would be next to impossible to beat but strength and conditioning are extremely important, you’ll never be the best with out them. Serra is very lucky to be champ and I guarantee with rapidly slip down the top 10 list and within 2 years not be on it. Gsp on the other hand will be at least in the top 3 for his weight class until he retires.
[quote comment="184664"]pUniSHment, wow, did you read what you just wrote?
“There was no other fighter to damage GSP like BJ PENN did. YOU can’t say that Serra did because the fight did not go the duration that GSP/PENN fight did.” The reason the Serra fight ended so quickly is because SERRA DID MORE DAMAGE IN LESS TIME THAN BJ PENN YOU MORON. In other words, you are just saying that BJ Penn took more time to lose.[/quote]
[quote comment="185199"][quote comment="184598"]Finally BJ PENN will become LW CHAMP. There is no one in the UFC who can stop him. HE is the greatest.[/quote]
ARE YOU SERIOUS DUDE…BJ has never even defended a title..you realize that right??[/quote]
GSP only won the third round in the fight. BJ controlled the entire pace of the fight up to the third round.
By the way BJ never had a chance to defend his title because DANA WHITE stripped it from him when he left to fight in K-1 and Rumble on The Rock.
[quote comment="184617"][quote comment="184607"]Yea sure, there is no one who can stop him. Are you stupid ?[/quote]
Who’s going to stop him? Name me one person in the lightweight division who can beat him.
Joe Stevenson= NO
Kenny Florian= NO
Sean Sherk= NO(Even if he were roided up)
After he wins the Belt he will go back to welterweight and win that title from either GSP, Serra, or Hughes. He will win against GSP the second time around. He only lossed because of GSP’s takedowns. There was no other fighter to damage GSP like BJ PENN did. YOU can’t say that Serra did because the fight did not go the duration that GSP/PENN fight did. BJ PENN will than defeat Matt Hughes for the second time. Lastly if Matt Serra is some how still champ, BJ PENN will beat him AGAIN.
PS: There’s no need for name-calling because you ain’t got nothing on me son.[/quote]
Din Thomas ( when he recovers) , Nick Diaz If He Moved Down , Roger Hureta.. Melvin Gilard Might Give Him a Go Remember Now Son This Aint The Same Bj Penn from Back In The Day..
And GSP Would Whoop Bj Penns Overated Fat A$$
[quote comment="185841"][quote comment="184617"][quote comment="184607"]Yea sure, there is no one who can stop him. Are you stupid ?[/quote]
Who’s going to stop him? Name me one person in the lightweight division who can beat him.
Joe Stevenson= NO
Kenny Florian= NO
Sean Sherk= NO(Even if he were roided up)
After he wins the Belt he will go back to welterweight and win that title from either GSP, Serra, or Hughes. He will win against GSP the second time around. He only lossed because of GSP’s takedowns. There was no other fighter to damage GSP like BJ PENN did. YOU can’t say that Serra did because the fight did not go the duration that GSP/PENN fight did. BJ PENN will than defeat Matt Hughes for the second time. Lastly if Matt Serra is some how still champ, BJ PENN will beat him AGAIN.
PS: There’s no need for name-calling because you ain’t got nothing on me son.[/quote]
Din Thomas ( when he recovers) , Nick Diaz If He Moved Down , Roger Hureta.. Melvin Gilard Might Give Him a Go Remember Now Son This Aint The Same Bj Penn from Back In The Day..
And GSP Would Whoop Bj Penns Overated Fat A$$[/quote]
Din Thomas at 150 percent WILL NEVER beat BJ PENN even if BJ WERE to eat Double Fudged Brownies for two straight months. Secondly give Roger Huerta someone like Matt Hughes or Karo Parisyan and see if you still believe the hype. Third, Nick Diaz is talented, but he ain’t no BJ PENN. You think Nick Diaz could win against BJ PENN when he lossed to Diego Sanchez? Cause there’s no way DIEGO could beat PENN.
LASTLY, GSP would not WHOOP BJ PENN. If he could, he would have done it the first time. With BJ PENN’s new strength and conditioning coach, stamina will never again be a problem. BJ only lossed to him the last time because GSP scored points on three takedowns.
“Penn only banged up gsp after the illegal eye poke, leaving him seeing double, and then getting clipped in the nose which cause all that blood. I really don’t get how some think penn won that fight, he may have won round one but rounds two and three clearly belong to gsp, what did penn do in those rounds to win them? I personally feel if they fought again gsp would destroy penn and finish him convincingly. Penn is a tough guy but I feel he’s overrated by most and I’m not even convinced he could take the belt away from sherk, provided he’s cleared. If penn’s conditioning and strength matched his talent THEN I would jump aboard the bang wagon, he would be next to impossible to beat but strength and conditioning are extremely important, you’ll never be the best with out them. Serra is very lucky to be champ and I guarantee with rapidly slip down the top 10 list and within 2 years not be on it. Gsp on the other hand will be at least in the top 3 for his weight class until he retires.
Nathan, BJ beat Gomi, Hughes, Din, Relson Gracie, and sent GSP to the hospital to spend the night while he went to the bar to drink beeeeeeers! after there fight and this was all done with out great conditioning. If you think that is overated then you saying that those fighters are not even rated..
[quote comment="186497"]“Penn only banged up gsp after the illegal eye poke, leaving him seeing double, and then getting clipped in the nose which cause all that blood. I really don’t get how some think penn won that fight, he may have won round one but rounds two and three clearly belong to gsp, what did penn do in those rounds to win them? I personally feel if they fought again gsp would destroy penn and finish him convincingly. Penn is a tough guy but I feel he’s overrated by most and I’m not even convinced he could take the belt away from sherk, provided he’s cleared. If penn’s conditioning and strength matched his talent THEN I would jump aboard the bang wagon, he would be next to impossible to beat but strength and conditioning are extremely important, you’ll never be the best with out them. Serra is very lucky to be champ and I guarantee with rapidly slip down the top 10 list and within 2 years not be on it. Gsp on the other hand will be at least in the top 3 for his weight class until he retires.
Nathan, BJ beat Gomi, Hughes, Din, Relson Gracie, and sent GSP to the hospital to spend the night while he went to the bar to drink beeeeeeers! after there fight and this was all done with out great conditioning. If you think that is overated then you saying that those fighters are not even rated..[/quote]
Plus BJ got a new strength and conditioning coach and he will be unstoppable.
[quote post="3645"]Plus BJ got a new strength and conditioning coach and he will be unstoppable. [/quote]
BJ Penn was already unstoppable. BJ Penn beat hughes twice, hughes got lucky enough BJ messed his rib up, a gassing BJ could not be harmed by GSP, and he has done well against LHW and MW fighters, THAT in my opinion, is best P4P. BJ Penn has fought in 4 different weight classes, and made it competitive, even won in all but the biggest, LHW, with LYOTO, who might have even been at a HW weight, im not srue. He will steam roll sherk, and anybody else in the LW class.
He is not cocky, he borders the line of confidence/cockyness, and gives his opponents the respect they deserve.