Is Max Holloway embarrassed by BJ Penn?

[KingBeef]

So we're just gonna leave Teila Tuli out of this?

 

[SolarSeiko]

You know what I'm getting at. They live in a small world. All the islands have a combined population of 1.5 million. And they're both involved in the same niche sport. Given this, it is odd that Max never mentions BJ, a local legend and the face of Hawaii MMA.

Me thinks there is some unspoken rivalry.

Definitely. And maybe a little of Max just not wanting the media to compare them. Like the era of BJ Penn is long gone, why keep bringing up a guy that hasn't won a fight in forever. Not only that Max probably has heard bad shit about BJ and just doesn't want to get involved in it.

 

[Not A Real Fan]

Not only that Max probably has heard bad shit about BJ and just doesn't want to get involved in it.

I thought that too. Even though Max is currently the man, he probably cant afford to talk shit about BJ while living in the same island chain with him. BJ himself (with or without a machete) and/or one of his many sycophants may show up at Max's house. Max has a son. Best not to mention BJ at all.

 

[Tuf_guy]

Max may not have the same cult following but performance wise he has already surpassed BJ.

This is where I had to jump ship.
I don't think he's better than BJ was, and BJ has better wins (I don't think Aldo was at his peak by the time Holloway fought him, and we know Edgar wasn't). It distracted me from the theory being discussed. Would be interesting to know what he thinks of BJ, and what BJ has done lately, but we never would unless they had public beef. I do believe I've seen BJ cageside for Holloway before, though.

 

[PicoPulse]

Penn is a nightmarish matchup for either of them at his best, and would have been the odds on favorite. There's actually a better chance that BJ would have knocked Dustin into another lifetime.

Nah BJs hands were kinda overrated but hed have a pretty good shot at subbing them

 

[Lateralus]

Well if Max has any rational in his head, I'm sure he respects what BJ has done as a fighter.

 

[Sad Dad]

Dudes on here really be thinking bj KOs both Dustin and Max

 

[Felya]

 

[SHAZAM]

Dustin is on a streak. A hot little streak. He's in his prime but he's not that good. BJ sleeps him with a jab. Max would be a bit tougher because of his durability. But little streaks don't mean you're that good. Just that you're having a good moment with a little bit of luck. Just like losing 2 in a row or even 3 don't mean you're done or that you suck.

 

[ianferguson]

Imagine being a young Hawaiian aspiring mma fighter of Max's era. BJ would have been an admired heroic figure. A fearless warrior representing your homeland...a small place where athletes who become internationally famous champions are few and far between. If I had to guess I'd wager that Max is most likely very saddened by how things have turned out for BJ Penn.

 

[Cylence]

Nah BJs hands were kinda overrated but hed have a pretty good shot at subbing them

I'm just saying that Penn has a better chance of knocking Dustin out than Dustin had of finishing him within two rounds. That's absolutely perpostous.

 

[Brca031]

Prime BJ sends Dustin to shadow realm inside 2, sub or KO.
Max has a shot by outgunning him to a decision similiar like Nick Diaz whooped BJ, but Max aint no Nick Diaz.

 

[Pakman]

They are not both from the same small island, they literally live on different islands.

BJ is from Hilo on the Big Island and Max is from Honolulu on the island of Oahu.

You fly on an airplane to get between those places.

Leave it to Americans to not even know American geography

 

[Pakman]

Nah BJs hands were kinda overrated but hed have a pretty good shot at subbing them

BJ would have jabbed Poirer back to FW

 

[MPD-Psycho]

I don’t see how unless he was directly involved, which he wasn’t.

I wouldn’t put too much weight on the guilt by association thing.

 

[ookii]

I thought that too. Even though Max is currently the man, he probably cant afford to talk shit about BJ while living in the same island chain with him. BJ himself (with or without a machete) and/or one of his many sycophants may show up at Max's house. Max has a son. Best not to mention BJ at all.

Max's son probably laughs at losing streak BJs face like hes some kind of threat

 

[Sinthesized]

Prime BJ would have never lost to Porier, let alone twice.

Let’s see where Max is after another 15 years of fighting

Prime BJ would get fucking destroyed by current Poirier

 

[Sinthesized]

Penn is a nightmarish matchup for either of them at his best, and would have been the odds on favorite. There's actually a better chance that BJ would have knocked Dustin into another lifetime.

Please. Nick Diaz beat the fucking brakes off of BJ just walking him down

 

[PicoPulse]

BJ would have jabbed Poirer back to FW

I disagree

 

[rjmbrd]

Leave it to Americans to not even know American geography

Hawaii is the most remote island chain in the world.

A non-stop flight from here in New York to Hawaii is just shy of 11 hours in the air.

It is unsurprising people from America (or anywhere) are not familiar with its geography if they've never visited. What is surprising is in the information age, someone doesn't want to take 30 seconds to google it.