Props: MMA Fanhouse
“We’ve seen the best B.J. Penn we’ve seen in recent years, but that was at 155. He had abs, he looked in shape, he had to train to be down there. The question I have is how much quality weight in this time period can he put on to deal with the size difference between him and Georges. … At that weight class, at 170, I like Georges. Georges has got all the tools. He seems to be within himself mentally, going out and putting together good performances, and demonstrating a lot of skills that nobody really knew he had. There’s some tough things for B.J. to deal with there.”
Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy ‘The Natural’ Couture gives the nod to welterweight kingpin Georges St. Pierre in his much-anticipated superfight with lightweight diety BJ Penn at UFC 94 ‘Penn vs. St. Pierre 2′ on January 31 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Nevada. It’s the rematch from UFC 58 that mixed martial arts fans have been demanding for over two years.
147 Comments »
48 – 47 decision GSP
Bet on it.
This confirms it, GSP will beat BJ Penn. I hate to say it cause I thought Penn was going to win this one but Randy is almost always right on the money when he picks a winner. I may not like Randy the fighter anymore but I cannot deny his ability to break down a fight and predict the outcome.
Most of Randy’s “underdog” picks, were just him picking guys from his own gym…nothing but coincidence IMO.
I agree with him here though.
BJ’s never looked good at 170.
BJ’s never looked good at 170? You obviously didn’t watch him choke out Matt Hughes to win the title.
Back when Hughes was considered unbeatable.
Stop living in 2004. That was a lifetime ago. Fricken Vitor Belfort fought that night.
Wow Jason…you must be confusing the in shape BJ from their first fight with the fat and bloated 170 BJ that’s been fighting at 170 ever since.
People say he’s in great shape for 170, and if he is he stands a chance…but, I’ll believe it when I see it.
GSP by decision.
With a comment like that I sure hope you aren’t an Affliction hugger.
Explain….
BJ is gonna come in somewhere b/t 160-165 to keep his speed. Sad thing is GSP moves faster than him at 180. Also has anyone noticed in his last 4 fights GSP has been going for leg locks? I really like that seeing how even great BJJ guys don’t really train them unless they’re japanese. His training with Ximu machado down in brazil might pay off in wrenching BJ’s heel off his foot.
I was talking to Stevo…
BJ Penn is not going to get submitted by anyone! Including GSP, Aoki or Maia for that matter!
Maia chockes him out 10 out 10 times. Just because he won the mundials a million years ago against guys we’ll never hear of, it doesn’t make him a grappling god. As far as Aoki, i would also take that bet.
Maia chokes out Frank Mir in training john, if anyone can choke out BJ it’s him.
Yea, he does a dam good job at picking the winners!
So does “Punch You in the Ovaries!” That guy always picks the winners. GSP will win every round!
This kinda sucks cause here BJ penn is so damn good but GSP is gonna push him down the P4P rankings.
Randy is right, this fight will come down to wrestling which is based on size. It sucks cause i want BJ to win.
same here I want BJ to win but GSP will maul him and win. BJ has some great fights at 155…..he has never proved to be good at 170…GSP is a different animal compared to Hughes.
a heavier fighter beating a lighter fighter should NOT affect p4p standings. bj beats gsp? sure. bj is a better p4p fighter. gsp beats bj…. so what, he was heavier.. and therefore it should count in the p4p scheme of things. written from a gsp fans pov. bj doesnt have to win… but Gsp cant afford to lose.
I guess Brock better give Randy his belt back because it didn’t mean anything. 60 lbs is a lot more than the 15 or 20 that BJ CHOOSES not to put on. This is a WW fight and as long as both of them weigh in at 170 or less, they are BOTH WWs. Weigh variation happens in ALL divisions. BJ walks around heavier than GSP and is only 1 inch shorter. At 5′ 9″ (and not skinny) BJ is a BIG LW. If BJ can’t stand the heat he should get out of the kitchen. I know this will be one of many lame excuses when GSP mauls him, but it’s 2 WWs fighting here and to say it shouldn’t count towards P4P is rediculous.
It’s really not a sure cut deal. BJ is the best pound per pound figher in the world today.. I agree and have said here before. GSP is such a bigger 170 then BJ is.. and that is the only thing that has me if I was a betting man would really consider. Going into GSP’s fight with Jon Fitch.. a stat that stood out to me was.. in GSP’s whole MMA career he has only spent 4 MINUTES on his back. that is insane. The only way I see BJ winning this fight is if he gets GSP on his back.. if BJ can do what he did to Hughes the first time they met.. to GSP.. BJ can win. BJ will need to take GSP down..and that my fellow maniacs is very very very hard to do.
GSP will not want to sit in the pocket and trade with BJ.. nah. GSP does not want to test his chin. nah. GSP wants use his kicks/punches to get in and out.. stun him.. take him down.. press him up against the cage G n P.. I really do not see BJ winning this fight off his back.
I’m a huge BJ Penn.. as I am a GSP fan. I think this fight is great for the sport and hope ESPN has coverage on it… IMO it’s not a sure thing.. nothing is a sure thing in MMA. Unless Anderson Silva is in the discussion = )
Agree w/ your analysis. I will finish it for you. GSP by decison…
great analysis, the only other thing that can help bj is his heart and will to win but that won’t be enough if he is fighting form his back the whole fight, if gsp trades with him than he can win but i agree i don’t see gsp doing alot of that so bj will have to get him down witch is close to impossible if bigger better wrestlers could not do it.
Thanks guys.. I’m looking for to Fedor/AA and BJ/GSP Lyoto/Thiago.. all inside a 2 week period!!!
BJ Penn Also fought Machida the 205lb. fighter…I dont think Georges will be much different unless everyone agrees that GSP can beat Machida….
“BJ is the best pound per pound figher in the world today..”
I can’t stop laughing – some of you are real comedians out there ROFL
Randy is always right!! Nobody understands the fight game like Randy Couture.
When did BJ’s name get thrown into the mix of best pound 4 pound fighter’s in the world? Don’t get me wrong I like BJ, I think he’s a good fighter, but he’s not even in GSP’S league. Ya GSP took a few punches in the 1st round of there fight, but after that round BJ had absolutely 0 offence, George adapted and won the next 2 rounds hands down. And just ask Hughes twice and Serra what it’s like to fight GSP a second time, he’s dominant cuz he learns from his mistakes. GSP DOMINATES BJ
Yep, there won’t be any debating this one.
Funny a “size DOES matter” quote from Couture!!! I’d say the size difference between Couture and Lesnar played a MUCH greater role than a 10 lb difference between BJ and GSP. BJ FTW bet on it. he’s the underdog and WILL win. BJ BJ BJ BJ!!!!!
bj is the man but ur lil pans a$$ is wrong son GSP is gonna whoop the mawi wawi ass back to the island bj isnt comming up into gsps home and taking his belt i laugh at that, gsp has a better chance of getting prego then loosing to bj
hmmm. . .”Canada beat USA in war of 1812″. . I’m sorry who are you going for again? lol. USA is gonna beat Canada in the war of Jan. 31, 2009.
bj cant win with all that vacation he taking in his training camp, when gsp finished beating him , he should go back to vacation with girl ruddin his demolish baby face, saying dont worry baby lol.
gsp will win
GSP fights at 187 lbs so I think 20 lbs would be more accuate. BJ said he would be 160-165.
yep i gotta agree with him here bj just is too small
Did Captain Paycheck say anything similar before he fought Lesnar?
He goes from one of the most respected fighters to Captain Paycheck,what did he ever do to deserve that.What he tried to get more money for the fighters,oh now you are going to hate on him like most people hate on Tito,when all they ever did was try to get more money.What do you do at your job,sit there and take the same pay you started with or do you ask for raises.I am willing to bet a year salary you either ask for a raise or bitch to your friends how you need more money
Did I agree to and sign a contract? If I did I would live up to its terms instead of walking away when my employer was still fulfilling his end of the deal.
Has everyone forgot that BJ has fought at 205 before.
And your point is…?
He was also fat and out of shape at 205. He looks right at 155. We’ll see what happens at 170.
Of course Gsp is stronger. But Bj has fought Machida at 205 (losing a decision) and two Gracies at 185, so fighting at 170 shouldn’t be a problem for him. I give Gsp a slight edge in that department, 10-9. So, its still a close call.
Is anyone reading the whole thing. Randy is not just saying size, “Georges has got all the tools. He seems to be within himself mentally, going out and putting together good performances, and demonstrating a lot of skills that nobody really knew he had. There’s some tough things for B.J. to deal with there.”
Interesting. Randy used to be pretty good at picking the upsets, hopefully hes wrong here.
BJ BJ BJ!!!
You why He was wrong?Because those guys are his friends or train at his place.He doesn’t want to f**k up the relationship with them!
In this one,Randy is right!
The rush by decision.
He did pick Gonzaga over CropCop which was a big upset at that time. I wonder if he put money on it, he could have won big!
edit: “you know why He was wrong”
Na he’s right on he money, because I’m never wrong when it come to GSP,lol.
I’m with the Natural on this one…I think GSP’s size will win him a close decision..
Gsp woulda gave him a beat down even if BJ was in shape at 170. I think Thiago Alves could put a beating on BJ as well.
I think BJ would have a hard time with any of the top WW’s, Alves, Fitch, and even Kos!
BJ won’t lose to guys with mediocre stand-up such as Fitch and Kos. I can see Alves leg-kicking the shit out of BJ though.
Fitch and Kos are great wrestlers, they dont need to stand with BJ! BJ would have to defend takedowns all night!
I gotta agree with JV there. BJ would be lucky to be a top 5 at WW. I dont think this match will live up to the hype that people are seeming to give it, regardless of any anylysis of the last time they fought. GSP wins this in the late first or early second. TKO.
BJ is a natural 155′er. He is the best in the world at that weight. I personally think he would be top 3 at WW, but he just needs to stay at LW where he rules.
I would definitely pick Alves over BJ. Thiago is so much bigger and I think BJ would get kicked to bits plus if Kos can’t take Thiago down BJ can’t either.
It will be a shitty year for BJ – first KO by GSP – then losing title by RNC to Florian – by the end of 2009 nobody remembers this over-hyped Hawaiian
My thoughts exactly…
Thiago Alves has no ground game. BJ would get him on the ground and pull some sort of monkey-esque submission hold out of nowhere to tap Alves out. Same goes for an Alves/GSP fight. GSP takes him down and submits him inside 2 minutes.
I really don’t think BJ could take him down. Thiago’s TDD has improved so much. See his fight with Koscheck.
GSP on the other hand should be able to take him down. GSP Alves is definitely a fight I want to see before the end of this year.
graham you are a gay homo sexual
Are you hitting on me?
Regardless of what happens in this fight (Even though I think GSP will win), I’d like to see BJ fight Alves.
Randy has made pleanty of bad picks like the rest of us. I know he picked Big Tim to beat Nog… LOL. That one didn’t work out too good.
This probably only puts GSP as more of a favorite. Put your money down soon! BJ BJ BJ!!!
No he did not ,he said Nog was going to win exactly how it happened ,go back and check
he said Nog always pulls one out,he said Tim was going to be beating him up and Nog would put him in a submission.So that one did work out for him.
Do some research first:
Couture On Sylvia vs. Noguiera:
“I think it’s going to be a good fight. I’m a fan of the sport first and foremost. I think it’s an interesting matchup. Nogueira’s strenght tends to be on the ground and in the submission game and Tim is just a long, strong hard to take down guy who’s got great striking abilities. It’s a classic matchup and for the interim title so they both have a lot on the line. I like Tim’s chances in that fight given Nogueira’s performace against Heath Herring in the last fight. I like Sylvia in a stoppage of some kind.”
I posted proof… Mania should put it up soon. Nice try though…
Either way, Tim was kicking his ass bad. He just got caught with a sub.
I never realized how much that hurts to say that Tim was actually beating Nog….
Everyone is beating Nog until he catches them in a sub lol.
BNF PWNAGE of Scott.
PW Randy got caught, how many times does one has to explain that??? He was outwrestling a giant! He even cut Lesnar. Can you imaging fighting an athlete 55-60 pounds heavier than you and still outwork him? I didn’t think so, that’s why you need to give Couture the respect that he deserves
What has he done in the last few years to earn it? He couldn’t get the fight he wanted so he took his ball and went home, dishonored his contract, lied about the way Zuffa was treating him (check stubs serve as proof), all after being given a title shot against Timmay that he hadn’t earned any more than Lesnar had. Then he came back and got KTFO by Lesnar and is still trying to pick and choose his fights. He can quietly fade away for all I care.
So you’re saying Randy’s comments are jaded because he recently lost to a bigger, stronger, guy? —- I totally agree with you that Randy out fought Brock. But a 50 pound weight advantage if tough to overcome.
*Imagine
Couture is one of my favorite fighters EVER! And I hate to pick against him, but I’m going with PENN on this one, I think he will technically outclass GSP in more area’s of the fight.
me too. I love randy. One of my favorite fighters but my other favorite figher is BJ. what’s crazy is that randy has many favorable comments about bj. He talked about how he couldn’t keep bj down when they worked together and how bj is way stronger than he looks.
I don’t see size being a big issue in this fight.
Everybody forgets about that. BJ’s freakish dexterity, balance, and strength. He said those things about BJ put STILL picks GSP!? I wonder if Randy’s rolled with GSP.
I a guy that has and vouched for GSP’s SERIOUS Jiu-Jitsu game…
At this point, all I want is a GREAT FIGHT. and not for freak NC or early stoppage. May the best man win.
I sill pick BJ PENN!
Ummmm . . . Besides when GSP outwrestled Kos what has he shown that no one knew he had? . . .BJ is the one that shows me something knew every fight! GSP = Kicks, some Jits against midgets, and takedowns . . .BJ, wraps up arms from backside for RNC’s, First and only elbow ive ever seen him thrown lands with devistation, a knee from no where to end not only a round but a chamopionship fight, Hughes never saw what came at him when BJ took his back FROM GAURD!! And nearly sank a trianle to arm bar from “the back side over the top” What did GSP show me thats new from his first fight to his most recent, he has shown it all from jump street dude and anybody that thinks this is all “new GSP” has obviouslt never seen his first 10 fights out of canada or whereever, all the SAME bros, hes always been good and it still stands that the same GSP that won/got his *ss kicked in the first fight with Penn is the same GSP we see today (And we know BJ isnt, just his “shape” has changed, let alone everything else!)=Definite change that i can argue and point out!. . .??? Ok Ok, he lost to Serra and then showed he can beat Serra, thats new, i guess. . . . NO COMPARISON! BJ always attacking, GSP is always stalling or throwing cr*p for show. I hope BJ dioesnt come in trying to go P4P with GSP, come in at 164 lbs and faster than a speeding bullet, while GSP remains more flatfooted than your average white guy. BJ BJ BJ!!!
Im not really one for analyzing and picking fights, but this is a lock. Gsp will win this in the first round and BJ will drop back to LW where he belongs. I actually think some of the other top 5 WW stand a better chance against Pierre than BJ does.
blah blah blah, you are going to be so sad when BJ loses
.
U must not have watched the 2nd or 3rd round of that fight when BJ did absolutely nothing but stand there and get hit. Ya not a dominating performance by GSP, but he sure as hell didn’t lose that fight. And other than Sean I’m a roid freak Serk who has Bj Beat, Jens Pulver. Give me a break. GSP has been kickin ass over actual top 5 guys. GSP destroys BJ this time, BJ will be pissin blood for months just like Serra!
hahahahahahha
Get hit . . . .What are you talking about dude, when was it that GSP hit Penn . . .Held him tight is what you mean , like his girlfriend or something. GSP did nothing, i can count on one thand how many times he landed, one barely getting through headkick and a couple of jabs, sooooo . . .
Look at Fitche’s face and then look at sherk’s face after the first 2 minutes and then try convicing people that GSP is always stalling and throws crap for show. He had Serra and Fitch on the ground before the 5 second mark. You would have a hard time convincing GSP’s last 3 opponents that he stalls or throws crap for show,LMAO. GSP smuthered them right from the bell, that’s hardly stalling. I hope you’re not still refering to Hughes as a midget. He’s 5′9″ the same as your boy BJ. BJ must be a midget also. I think you have it backwards on who is flat footed. Besides it’s not like it’s a bad thing because BJ is a flat footed as they come and it works great for him. With his feet planted he bobs back at the waist to avoid punches.
GSP went from being armbarred from Hughes to armbarring him. Most would say that is improvement. Same goes for going from a purple belt to a black belt. GSP wasn’t talking guys down in the first 5 seconds of the fight, before he started wrestling with the olympic team. If you can’t see the difference in GSP’s wrestling from Hughes 1 to 2 and 3, than you are not paying attention. The GSP that fought Fitch wouldn’t be going to a decision against Karo or Miller now. GSP has improved plain and simple and the only ones that don’t see it are the one that don’t want to. I don’t blame you though, because then you would have to relize that BJ doesn’t stand much of a chance.
Bj is a midget compared to GSP . . . And still did what he did . . .
GSP BABY!!! Penn is going down!~
At a professional level you have to count every little advantage and size is a big advantage!! Plus couture don’t miss many. GSP gets the nod in my book.
gsp by tko 2nd round…bj doesn’t even deserve to b gettin a title shot at 170,,and gsp will prove it
disagree. GSP wins by 1st round TK0.
GSP, like i’ve said all along, is not gonna let BJ have the privelige of even showing up for round 3. Then there will be no “he gassed out” excuses. He’ll trade with him, beat him there, kick him at will, then pick him right off the ground (like in the 1st fight), slam him, and Pound him out. It’ll be alot easier for St. Pierre this time around, in fact, this is just like taking candy from a baby. Just like true St. Pierre fashion, he will RUN HIM OVER!!!!!!!!!!
BJ will come in around 168 (I hope) and for sure will be giving up some weight to GSP, but it isn’t going to make the difference in the fight. GSP is not going to manhandle him. BJ is going to have the faster hands and he’s going to rattle GSP’s dome from the get go. He’s going to hurt him on his feet and get GSP to force the takedown.
GSP’s takedowns are awesome, you gotta give him that (among many other things), but if he brings anything other than a textbook takedown to BJ in this fight he is going to get reversed. BJ wants this fight more than GSP and he is going to find a way to win. GSP is already predicting there’s gonna be a third match and he’s right, because he loses this one.
This will be the fight were Randy Couture’s prediction stock drops. It’s the biggest fight in mma history and he just called it wrong.
Ya just becouse it was the differance in his fight with brock ya right bj is gonna kill!!! george
bj bj bj bj!!!!!!!
Technique is going to be the factor here not size…if it was size then BJ should have been beat bad the last go, but BJ actually beat the crap out him and the judges handed the more marketable pretty boy the fight. You can’t deny GSP his championship but when it gets pouded by the lighter, faster and more talented hawaiian with more tools to win with. Then we will see Randy say oops i picked the wrong guy. I think everyone underestimates BJ’s strength. He threw Hughes around like a rag doll who supposed to have garilla stregnth. He stuffed Sherks take downs who is strong. Yeah they are smaller in size but it all comes down to who’s stonger to stop the take downs and keep this standing. GSP does not want this fight to be on the feet for to long but if it does go to the ground who has more tools to win there. YOU MAKE THAT CALL!
Stuffing a takedown isnt all about size. Its about technique. GSP has the best takedown percentage and almost the best takedown defense in all of MMA.
Yep, I made that call.
So i guess we will see a great stand up battle because BJ has awsome takedown defense too! I cant wait!
GSP got 4 of 5 TDs he attempted in the first fight.
If GSP wants Penn on the ground it’s going to the ground.
So i guess the question is what how does GSP fair in BJ’s guard and can he GNP BJ. I haven’t seen anyone GNP BJ and every GNP guy that try’d got stuck in the omaplata or at least controled from that position. So if it does go to the ground GSP should at least be as carful as careful gets not to get arm dragged and his back taken or get caught in the omaplata and lose his position because on the ground its who has top in this fight and if at anytime GSP gets put on his back its only a matter of time from that moment on. Good luck to all the GSP fans HA!
In a nut shell Randy is saying GSP will be victories,
Which means GSP will be victories because randy knows all mma
WHEN THE HELL is randy ganna be back in the booth calling the fights I know hes busy with movies and everything but hes the best in and out of the cage
B.J. will out strike Gsp and stop his take downs Penn all the way
For the first 2 rounds he will…then it’s the GSP show for the last 3.
48-47 GSP
So hes gonna trade with Penn for 2 and still be able to take hime down in the 3rd while BJ is still fresh since all they have done is stand up to that point . . .right . ..
How easy is it to picture a red-faced GSP sitting down in the octagon shaking head head after he just tapped out or got TKO’d? Whereas I can’t even conceive of GSP winning by anything other than a decision.
After the fight GSP will say something like “I am only human” and/or “he was the better man that night” and/or “I made a mistake and he capitalized on it.”
BJ won’t say anyone of those things because he’s going to finish GSP. Take it to the bank, cash it, and use the money to buy tickets to their third fight, because it’s all BJ Penn in this one.
There will be only one thing to say after that fight:
“I am not impressed by his performance” (referring to BJ of course)
I hope GSP makes BJ cry!
size matters! it’s gonna be the difference, GSP is the bigger and better athlete and he uses that in every fight.. BJ is gonna get real tired in the later rounds
GSP will never see the later rounds. Penn will finish him inside 3.
Did Randy watch the first fight?? Did any of you BJ doubters watch the first fight?? The size isnt the issue. The power isnt the issue. BJ’s cardio will be the only issue in this fight. If he can stay sharp for 5 rounds there is no way he loses. The first round of their last fight when they were both fresh BJ abused GSP. Then he gased and GSP took a razor thin decison.
BJ has much more heart. A better chin. Better striking. Better Jitso. GSP is bigger, stronger, and more athletic.
It’s gonna be a hell of a fight but when it comes down to it if BJ’s cardio hold up GSP dont have to heart or the balls to dig down as deep and BJ can and thats going to be the difference.
Do you know anything about fighting? Bigger guys can wear BJ out easier than smaller ones. It takes more energy to push around guys at WW. That’s Randy’s point, along with his point that BJ HAD to be in great cardio shape to make the 155 class. That’s not the case at WW.
There’s zero evidence that BJ Penn can fight elite guys at WW and be in the requisite shape needed to not gas out and provide his fans years of excuses for why he lost.
Yeah, the only evidence I could come up with saying he deserves a title shot is the fact that he once held the ww belt.
Check your reading comprehension.
There is zero evidence that BJ Penn can be in shape at WW as opposed to fighting at 155.
But if we wanted to use your terrible logic that also missed the point, we could also suggest that the other former WW UFC champs deserved a title shot against GSP due to their former champ status. Brilliant.
He didnt beat the cardio freak Matt Hughes in less then one round on Matts best day while out of shape at his first WLWT fight cause hes a nat 155er moving up to fight “the greatest WLWT of all time” for the UFC Championship of the world did he . . .oh wait . . . Gets that not proof of anything at 170 and coming in out of shape against a Hughes that had just beat GSP and Gracie and Hughes aint gonna be surprised this time but still showed Hughes what we all already knew, that BJ is the true WLWT champion. He also gave GSP the hardest fight of his life while out of shape with no reach, height, weight, shape, training, eating, advantages. GSP won, but who got their *ss kicked, GSP.
I agree with some of your points, but really wish that English was your 1st language so that I could understand them all.
Amen. The only size difference that matters is that BJ’s heart is bigger.
BUT his manhood is smaller
i got gsp decision but i want bj to win
Revjames13 you obviously think gsp is a joke to say he has 0 chance not even a punchers chance is crazy and shows your MMA ignorance, so I’ll give you a little history lesson. I’ve written up what the odd’s makers have gsp at and every time he either met there expectations or dramaticly beat them in every case pretty much except for serra a freak upset. Gsp’s first fight in the UFC against karo he was again the underdog, gsp has always beaten the odds makers expectations or met them, when they thought hughes would win the first time gsp lost, and they were right. They under estimated him far more then they gave him his due credit except with with serra 1.
1. gsp vs penn-penn -200 ish favorite should have been -100 gsp
2. hughes vs gsp 2- hughes -200ish favorite should have been -500 gsp
3. gsp vs serra -900 gsp favorite should have been -700 serra
4. koscheck vs gsp -200 ish odds makes IMO had it right
5. hughes vs hughes 3 -200 gsp favorite should have been -500 for gsp
6. gsp vs serra -450 gsp favorite IMO had it right
7. gsp vs fitch -350 gsp favorite IMO had it right
8. bj vs gsp 2 -210 for gsp IMO they have it right but only time will tell if history is any indicator of anything gsp wins this one. Only time will tell but I feel pretty confident the natural is right on this one. In there last five bets on gsp they were pretty close except for hughes which he really dominated much worst than the -200 they gave gsp the favorite like I said it should have been -500 or more. I personally feel if nothing out of the ordinary happens gsp wins this one by decision or t(ko), we’ll see.
I think BJ is going to give George fits. They are both pretty close in skill and talent, but I see the mental battle being the difference. George is more likely to fold when things don’t go his way… IMO. BJ has always had confidence and now has improved attitude along with physical.
BJ is going to be in great shape. He’s had plenty of time to prepare and this is the fight of his life. Cardio will not be an issue.
No one in any weight class has ever manhandled BJ and that includes Lyota f’n Machida, possibly the #1 205er in the world, who barely outpointed him. And don’t bring up Hughes 2 after Penn had cracked his rib. BJ admits it is his fault his rib blew out because although his cardio was good, he rushed his preparation by not staying in shape between fights. Not an issue anymore.
In the first fight with Hughes, BJ absolutely tooled him without Hughes offering any offense whatsoever back when Hughes was supposed to be the strongest WW the world has ever known. After the fight BJ said that he was surprised that Hughes wasn’t that strong at all.
GSP might get some takedowns, but that’s all he’s got going for him and it’s not enough. He is not going to beat up BJ on the ground and he’s not going to beat him up on his feet. GSP needs to get a bunch of takedowns and stall his way to a victory and Penn in top shape will not let him do that.
Even GSP has said that people don’t know that BJ is a big guy, actually bigger than him. Not sure what he means by that except maybe that BJ’s walking around weight is higher than his between fights, because clearly GSP is taller and will weigh more on the night of the fight. What he might also mean is that BJ is a very solid guy that is hard to move around and he’s much stronger than he looks.
BJ is going to bully GSP in this fight, not the other way around.
Wow, a bunch of exaggerations, suppositions, and incorrect statements passed off as fact. Your last sentence is the most hilarious.
I wonder why Dana White was calling Penn’s brother to make sure BJ wasn’t going to take a vacation in the middle of his training camp if Penn is as dedicated as people claim.
I want BJ to win but unfortunatly GSP will take a decision on this one.
I don’t think GSP is a joke at all. I think he’s one of the best fighters in the world and undoubtedly the most well-rounded and complete mixed martial artist there is. Against anyone other than BJ Penn right now, I pick GSP every time.
This is a special fight, a very rare match-up and my over-the-top, guarantee of a Penn victory is something I have never done in any sport before except Holyfield/Tyson 2 when I bet everything I had that Holyfield would win. The only other fight I can compare this to that has the same kind of bigger than the fight itself implications would be Ali/Foreman and if I was of betting age in 74 I would have bet the farm on Ali.
Obviously, GSP has way more than a puncher’s chance. He is the favorite. If he’s smart he won’t be looking for the puncher’s chance but more like the wrestler’s chance. GSP’s past performances aren’t going to help him on this one, and for the Penn doubters, you won’t be able to bank on one of the old versions of BJ showing up. This is going to be the best BJ Penn you’ve ever seen and he is going to put GSP away.
But just to underline a point, I think GSP is a great, great fighter and the only guy in the world at WW that could beat a BJ Penn in his prime. I’m just certain that he won’t do it this time. I’ve never been more sure of a result. But I’m not coming from a place of ignorance. I’ve seen almost every fight that each of these guys has had multiple times. GSP brings a ton to the table, but it’s not going to be his night. GSP will be much more dangerous if and when they meet a third time.
If you think I am ignorant then let me know about it on this site after the fight. I will be here not gloating over Penn’s victory, but likely praising GSP’s class after his loss.
YOUr GAY
You won’t be hear gloating, you’ll be drowning your sorrows with your buddies Jimmy Beam and Johny Walker. I really hope you don’t bet the farm on this fight, because you will lose.
An “out of the ordinary” BJ Penn is what’s going to happen to GSP.
I believe the last ufc-mir/nog, rampage/wandelei, and evans/griifin, all of the house undergogs won.
Randy do you not think BJ knows the difference in good weight at 170 now then over two years ago? Same stupid assumption people had that BJ would gass against Sherk.
Shut up Randy you just got KTFO.
I don’t agree with most of your post revjames13 and you seem to contradict yourself “obviously gsp has way more than a punchers chance” and then your 100% certain penn wins??? what?? Thats giving gsp a 0% chance. And I think not only gsp but thiago alves has a very good chance of beating penn. I think your driven on emotion and not on rationality, penn could beat both gsp and alves but gsp and alves definitely have the ability to beat penn yes even on jan 31. I personally wouldn’t be surprised if jon fitch beat penn either, he’s very tough and I think he’d destroy penns last 3 opponents just as easily as penn did, maybe quicker. We can talk about this until the cows come home, man jan 31 can’t come quick enough, feb 1 will be a very interesting day on mma mania.
all you gsp haters are just mad cuz a canadian has the belt and is going to for a long time …. USA SUCKS and needs to DIE
We’re all astounded by your intelligent feedback.
My lord. You sir, have some serious issues.
Rogan: GSP is a machine. BJ Penn is a beast.
WHAT happens when you throw a “machine” and a “beast” in the Octagon???
Cue- Ominous music……………..
Dana: Tune in Jan. 31st to find out.
BTW…I will produce for Zuffa!
What I was trying to say is that, although Penn is the underdog I am sure he is going to win. On paper, GSP has all sorts of chances, especially out-wrestling him to a points victory. You give a “puncher’s chance” to guys who have striking as their only avenue to victory. Since GSP does everything well you can’t put him in that category.
Obviously in a fight everyone has a chance and given that GSP is the favorite he is way beyond just having a chance. I am simply pulling a Joe Namath and guaranteeing a victory for Penn. It’s not really about logic, but intuition.
I agree that Alves could give BJ a great fight, but I don’t think he’s beat him.
stay in vacation penn
(primetime)
BJ via Triangle Choke…
BJ is a good fighter, but you have to go with what Randy said. The size and strenth of GSP is going to be too much for a BJ Penn carrying an unnatural amount of weight. GSP for tko. There’s no avoiding it.
BJ grew up in the great ghettos of Hawaii. As a child he persevered though many hardships including having his bicycle threatened daily. He was on a path to nowhere only living off his natural fighting ability. Fueled with anger the young Hawaiian was defiant against any and everybody until one day he found the great art of BJJ. His life would never be the same.
Through martial arts BJ Penn found the discipline and structure his family and upbringing never gave him. I natural born athlete he overcame the obstacles to become the only lw and ww champion in UFC history.
Today BJ Penn is recognized as one of the hardest working athletes in MMA and is a hero and inspiration to local Hawaiians. BJ Penn is a true life story of someone that beat all the odds to become the greatest fighter in history.
bet on it playa
After watching the behind the scenes of ufc 94 I want gsp to lay a beat down on penn even more, penn is a cocky prick, not my kind of guy. Dana is an idiot, because penn takes a 3 day vacation with his girlfriend, big deal, you need a little rest sometimes, other wise you’ll get burn’t out. I wish there were more anderson silva’s, gsp’s and the naturals out there, way too many meat heads in this sport and ego maniacs. Penn thinking he would go 100-0 made me laugh, for the most part kids raised rich are spoiled annoying turds who need a good lesson in humility. Penns comments about gsp were very disrespectful which will make it all that much easiler for gsp to really try to punish penn this time around, f**k I really hope he sends penn to the hospital like hughes did to him in there second fight
wat a fool should be your screen name, what a joke.
Bet on bj getting his ass handed to him
I Primetime GSP’s trainer was saying something like “It’s the fifth round Georgey, he wants to take your belt.” If the fight went into the fifth, GSP would have a great chance of retaining his title.
However, this is not going to be a long, grinding fight that is decided by conditioning. It’s going to be a mad war that is over in a round or two. Penn is going to come out more aggressive. GSP is going to try to find his rhythm and and make it a war of attrition but Penn is going for the kill.
GSP will get hurt early and then Penn will finish him before he can recover.
true GSP is a point fighter while BJ is used to finishing street fights fast and violently.
Your dreaming, BJ couldn’t hurt Sherk untill the last few seconds of the 3rd and you think he will take GSP out in a round or 2.
gsp will demolish bj baby face
GSP is going to have to hug BJ to keep his face intact for 5 rounds. BJ beat the crap out of GSP until he went for the hug tactics in their last fight.
Unless there is going to be another dive like Randy did against Lesnar. Since this has become big business a lot more shady stuff is going on. I wouldn’t bet money on these fights at this point.
I like GSP to Win but anything can happen!