Prodigy Penn lacks motivation?

MMA Reporter · 06-23-2009, 10:40 PM

Word on the street is that BJ Penn (13-5-1) may pull out of his upcoming fight against Kenny Florian (11-3). According to the Cagewriter blog on Yahoo!, Penn is lacking interest in fighting Florian. Whether that's due to the birth of Penn's daughter, or his general lack of interest in competing against an inferior fighter, I'm sure we'll know more in the coming weeks.

I don't think I'm going out on a limb when I say there is no one in the 155 weight class who can challenge Penn. According to UFC.com, there are 57 lightweight fighters in the division, including Penn. Among those Penn has fought and defeated: Caol Uno, Sean Sherk and Joe Stevenson.

Florian has fought Stevenson and Sherk. He is 1-1 in those fights with a unanimous decision loss to Sherk and a rear-naked choke win over Stevenson. The win over Stevenson is especially humbling for Stevenson as he had just received his Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt.

There is no doubt Florian deserves credit. He is on a six-fight win streak and he earned the title shot. Aside from defeating Stevenson during that run, Florian also beat Roger Huerta (who has moved on to film) and Joe Lauzon.

Of course, the rumors were intensified following Diego Sanchez's split decision win Saturday over Clay Guida.

In his post-fight remarks, Sanchez told Cagewriter, "Say something happens and B.J. isn't ready to defend his title and he vacates, Diego Sanchez is going to be right there saying 'Joe Silva, let's get it homie. Bring Kenny Florian one more time. Let's do this!'"

This prompted some to question Penn's devotion, interest and weight. However, according to Penn's own website, Penn, in a video from June 23, weighs in at 167.6 pounds. That means he has to lose no more than 11.6 pounds in the next 45 days. That's easy, even for Penn.

I won't go into too much detail right now about why I think this is an unfair fight that favors Penn, but there are too main reasons: 1) Penn's boxing. 2) Penn's BJJ. If Florian has one advantage, it might be in Muay Thai. Unfortunately for Florian, his reach, despite standing 5'10" is 68 inches and the shorter Penn (5'9"), has about a 70 inch reach.

Penn should be able to work his jab, wear Florian down and finish him in three rounds or fewer. Whether that comes on the feet or on the ground it will be for Penn to decide. If and when Penn wins this fight though, I would be concerned where his head might be at when it comes to potential challengers at 155.

Dana White may have to make another surprise, high-level signing to keep Penn. A few of the fighters who may be able to give Penn a better run include Shinya Aoki, Joachim Hansen and Eddie Alvarez.

DH · 06-24-2009, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMA Reporter

This prompted some to question Penn's devotion, interest and weight. However, according to Penn's own website, Penn, in a video from June 23, weighs in at 167.6 pounds. That means he has to lose no more than 11.6 pounds in the next 45 days. That's easy, even for Penn.

For title fights, they have to make scratch weight... but anyways, I don't think people are giving Kenny enough credit. Kenny makes improvements each time he fights. And we have seen some different looks depending on his gameplan. Against Huerta, we saw a Machida-esque gameplan where he got in and got out. And then against Stevenson, we got to see a more aggressive style.

Anyways, Kenny has waited long enough for his title shot and it's bs if Penn pulls out. I guess they would do an interim lightweight belt with Florian and Diego?

gjfovf · 06-24-2009, 06:36 AM

On an earlier thread, it was reported that legendary strength specialist Steve Maxwell bailed on BJ due to lack of focus and motivation. IMO Florian is hungry to be champ, while BJ is looking for the next big "super fight".

clmetal · 06-24-2009, 01:36 PM

Wow. Probably hasn't even started training for this fight. Pretty lame that you can't even step up for a title defense. PJ said he didn't even train hard for GSP, which is ridiculous since he wanted that fight and he talked about his place in history

I didn't know about Diego's post fight comments - I'm sure he was told (possibly by Dana) that BJ could drop out so that might be our fight.

p-jersey · 06-24-2009, 01:57 PM

The writer talked about kenny possibly having an advantage with his muay thai but then mentioned the reach. The advantage kenny will have with muay thai is with his kicks and has nothing to do with the length of his arms. He will want to fight at a distance and not stay in penns boxing range.

Pimach · 06-24-2009, 02:28 PM

if he backs out, strip him of the title and lets have guys who actually want the belt go at it.

clmetal · 06-24-2009, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by p-jersey

He write talked about kenny possibly having an advantage with his muay thai but then mentioned the reach. The advantage kenny will have with muay thai is with his kicks and has nothing to do with the length of his arms. He will want to fight at a distance and not stay in penns boxing range.

a little confusing, Penn said this but he might not take the fight now?

p-jersey · 06-24-2009, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clmetal

a little confusing, Penn said this but he might not take the fight now?

Not quite sure what you mean. The writer was talking about the style match up including the reach comparisons not penn.

I havent heard too much about penn backing out and i doube he does.

Adolf Oliverbush · 06-24-2009, 04:50 PM

I don't think I'm going out on a limb when I say there is no one in the 155 weight class who can challenge Penn

MMA reporter is dreaming again with his take on Penn and the competition at 155 pounds. Penn has plenty of challenges at 155 pounds, legitimate challenges. The Florian fight is no gimme and depending on if it goes forward, I'll provide my breakdown, which is a toss up at this point. Sanchez provides a lot of problems stylistically for Penn as well. I'm with Pimach, if he doesn't want to fight, lets move on and have the title fight between guys who actually are interested in the fight game. Penn has done nothing in the division since beating Stevenson and Sherk, and that was a long time ago. Nate Diaz fought a very competitive fight with Joe Daddy last weekend, so lets not make that win out to be a huge deal and Edgar just handled the one dimentional Sherk a month ago, so again, lets keep things in prospective.

clmetal · 06-24-2009, 04:51 PM

ok, I thought you said Penn said it (was confused with the "he write talk")

06-23-2009, 10:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
MMA Reporter AA Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 713	Prodigy Penn lacks motivation? Word on the street is that BJ Penn (13-5-1) may pull out of his upcoming fight against Kenny Florian (11-3). According to the Cagewriter blog on Yahoo!, Penn is lacking interest in fighting Florian. Whether that's due to the birth of Penn's daughter, or his general lack of interest in competing against an inferior fighter, I'm sure we'll know more in the coming weeks. I don't think I'm going out on a limb when I say there is no one in the 155 weight class who can challenge Penn. According to UFC.com, there are 57 lightweight fighters in the division, including Penn. Among those Penn has fought and defeated: Caol Uno, Sean Sherk and Joe Stevenson. Florian has fought Stevenson and Sherk. He is 1-1 in those fights with a unanimous decision loss to Sherk and a rear-naked choke win over Stevenson. The win over Stevenson is especially humbling for Stevenson as he had just received his Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt. There is no doubt Florian deserves credit. He is on a six-fight win streak and he earned the title shot. Aside from defeating Stevenson during that run, Florian also beat Roger Huerta (who has moved on to film) and Joe Lauzon. Of course, the rumors were intensified following Diego Sanchez's split decision win Saturday over Clay Guida. In his post-fight remarks, Sanchez told Cagewriter, "Say something happens and B.J. isn't ready to defend his title and he vacates, Diego Sanchez is going to be right there saying 'Joe Silva, let's get it homie. Bring Kenny Florian one more time. Let's do this!'" This prompted some to question Penn's devotion, interest and weight. However, according to Penn's own website, Penn, in a video from June 23, weighs in at 167.6 pounds. That means he has to lose no more than 11.6 pounds in the next 45 days. That's easy, even for Penn. I won't go into too much detail right now about why I think this is an unfair fight that favors Penn, but there are too main reasons: 1) Penn's boxing. 2) Penn's BJJ. If Florian has one advantage, it might be in Muay Thai. Unfortunately for Florian, his reach, despite standing 5'10" is 68 inches and the shorter Penn (5'9"), has about a 70 inch reach. Penn should be able to work his jab, wear Florian down and finish him in three rounds or fewer. Whether that comes on the feet or on the ground it will be for Penn to decide. If and when Penn wins this fight though, I would be concerned where his head might be at when it comes to potential challengers at 155. Dana White may have to make another surprise, high-level signing to keep Penn. A few of the fighters who may be able to give Penn a better run include Shinya Aoki, Joachim Hansen and Eddie Alvarez.

06-24-2009, 06:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
gjfovf NCAA Champ Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,450	Re: Prodigy Penn lacks motivation? On an earlier thread, it was reported that legendary strength specialist Steve Maxwell bailed on BJ due to lack of focus and motivation. IMO Florian is hungry to be champ, while BJ is looking for the next big "super fight". __________________ "All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become."

06-24-2009, 01:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
clmetal Olympic Champ Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Philthadelphia, South America Posts: 2,990	Re: Prodigy Penn lacks motivation? Wow. Probably hasn't even started training for this fight. Pretty lame that you can't even step up for a title defense. PJ said he didn't even train hard for GSP, which is ridiculous since he wanted that fight and he talked about his place in history I didn't know about Diego's post fight comments - I'm sure he was told (possibly by Dana) that BJ could drop out so that might be our fight. __________________ "I don’t give a f_ck about money, bro. Believe me when I tell you that." Dana White

06-24-2009, 01:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
p-jersey MMA Mod Supreme Join Date: May 2008 Location: Denver Posts: 3,208 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Prodigy Penn lacks motivation? The writer talked about kenny possibly having an advantage with his muay thai but then mentioned the reach. The advantage kenny will have with muay thai is with his kicks and has nothing to do with the length of his arms. He will want to fight at a distance and not stay in penns boxing range. Last edited by p-jersey; 06-24-2009 at 05:27 PM.

06-24-2009, 02:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
Pimach Olympic Champ Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Rez Posts: 3,033	Re: Prodigy Penn lacks motivation? if he backs out, strip him of the title and lets have guys who actually want the belt go at it. __________________ Like Billy Jacks' soul attack, I'm one Injun you wont forget. www.euromitsu.com

06-24-2009, 04:50 PM	#9 (permalink)
Adolf Oliverbush Olympic Champ Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Oceanside, CA Posts: 3,718	Re: Prodigy Penn lacks motivation? I don't think I'm going out on a limb when I say there is no one in the 155 weight class who can challenge Penn MMA reporter is dreaming again with his take on Penn and the competition at 155 pounds. Penn has plenty of challenges at 155 pounds, legitimate challenges. The Florian fight is no gimme and depending on if it goes forward, I'll provide my breakdown, which is a toss up at this point. Sanchez provides a lot of problems stylistically for Penn as well. I'm with Pimach, if he doesn't want to fight, lets move on and have the title fight between guys who actually are interested in the fight game. Penn has done nothing in the division since beating Stevenson and Sherk, and that was a long time ago. Nate Diaz fought a very competitive fight with Joe Daddy last weekend, so lets not make that win out to be a huge deal and Edgar just handled the one dimentional Sherk a month ago, so again, lets keep things in prospective. __________________ Lets go Brent! Last edited by Adolf Oliverbush; 06-24-2009 at 09:25 PM.

06-24-2009, 04:51 PM	#10 (permalink)
clmetal Olympic Champ Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Philthadelphia, South America Posts: 2,990	Re: Prodigy Penn lacks motivation? ok, I thought you said Penn said it (was confused with the "he write talk") __________________ "I don’t give a f_ck about money, bro. Believe me when I tell you that." Dana White

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode