what was the extent of BJ Penn's awesomeness?

[Mal Intentions]

for example, when he did more than hold his own against Lyoto Machida... he literally did way better against machida than rich franklin did, could bj have possibly went up and taken the MW belt from Rich?

 

[Substance Abuse]

In before getting knocked out by a fat drunk guy gif.

Numerous losses in a row posts.

Georges fan boys.

Haters.

To the death posts.

He was never that good.

Motivated BJ Penn posts.

Etc.

 

[GrantB13]

Two division champ, fight guys bigger than him, early era fighter who could put it all together, first American to win Jiu Jitsu World Championship, and such

 

[RemyR]

Well he’s one only one of I think 6 (off the top of my head) fighters ever to win a title in two weight classes so there’s that.

 

[chinarice]

In before getting knocked out by a fat drunk guy gif.

Numerous losses in a row posts.

Georges fan boys.

Haters.

To the death posts.

He was never that good.

Motivated BJ Penn posts.

Etc.

But I am a GSP fan and think BJ was awesome...

 

[Substance Abuse]

But I am a GSP fan and think BJ was awesome...

And that's rare. You love to see it though.

I get called a delusional Max fan every week. I get it, lol.

 

[Mark McMichael]

for example, when he did more than hold his own against Lyoto Machida... he literally did way better against machida than rich franklin did, could bj have possibly went up and taken the MW belt from Rich?

No.

Bj was awesome in his Prime. He had an exciting LW and WW run even if both were short.

His fight with Machida should not be mentioned. It was a fight between a Machida trying to not engage with BJ thinking he was a Maia like BJJ phenom when in fact that is not Penns type of BJJ. Instead it ended up a point striking match which Penn is very good at, with Machida holding back due to not wanting to get grabbed and Maia'd.

BJ Penn is the perfect example of what happens when a fighter gets too comfortable and gets away from his grappling and training roots and loses his cardio. Once he started believing in his boxing too much train BJJ as much so that he kept his grappling cardio his game became very one dimensional. He was good in that one dimension (boxing) but his cardio always failed him as the fight went on. Sad because I think he could have dominated LW like GSP did WW if he stayed focused on his BJJ and returned to LW and cleaned out the various org's, as a free agent, where all the top LW's were fighting.

Not comparing them but Conor McGregor also lost his cardio but for different reasons related to partying and the good life.

 

[m249viking]

In before getting knocked out by a fat drunk guy gif.

Numerous losses in a row posts.

Georges fan boys.

Haters.

To the death posts.

He was never that good.

Motivated BJ Penn posts.

Etc.

You forgot fighter pay and UFC is dying.

 

[Flying omoplata]

Bj in his prime was fucking awesome when he beat matt Hughes that was fucking great also that Sean sherk ko when he went back to get blood for the celebration. there was nothing like prime penn

 

[MikeyB]

Here's a weird answer

The first caol uno fight. I legit thought I just watched a mugging.

Wham wham wham then run out of the octogon.

If not that, probably the Joe Daddy mauling

 

[felmmando]

He was good in that one dimension (boxing) but his cardio always failed him as the fight went on.

Didn't he brutalise Diego Sanchez for saying that?

 

[Megatronlee]

No.

Bj was awesome in his Prime. He had an exciting LW and WW run even if both were short.

His fight with Machida should not be mentioned. It was a fight between a Machida trying to not engage with BJ thinking he was a Maia like BJJ phenom when in fact that is not Penns type of BJJ. Instead it ended up a point striking match which Penn is very good at, with Machida holding back due to not wanting to get grabbed and Maia'd.

BJ Penn is the perfect example of what happens when a fighter gets too comfortable and gets away from his grappling and training roots and loses his cardio. Once he started believing in his boxing too much train BJJ as much so that he kept his grappling cardio his game became very one dimensional. He was good in that one dimension (boxing) but his cardio always failed him as the fight went on. Sad because I think he could have dominated LW like GSP did WW if he stayed focused on his BJJ and returned to LW and cleaned out the various org's, as a free agent, where all the top LW's were fighting.

Not comparing them but Conor McGregor also lost his cardio but for different reasons related to partying and the good life.

Yeah....bj was able to create an atmosphere where machida had to respect him. That’s how it goes

 

[Noraaq]

Gets too much credit for losing to a chubby, green, relatively unknown Machida at the time. Also, fought Gomi in his own backyard, under his brothers promotion, had practically every advantage. Never rematched Gomi over in Pride.

His best moment was beating Matt Hughes

 

[MaulingMyClown]

I would say his take down defense especially early in his career...especially his 1st fight against Matt Hughes who was easily taking down anyone and everyone he fought including wraslers.

 

[Bjjpitbull8]

During Penn’s peak, he had a similar Aura to Anderson and GSP; although his peak was shorter lived. Guys would try to take him down, and he’d hop on one leg across the cage, effortlessly avoiding it. His boxing was incredible, and he knew how to finish a fight.

Every time they’d line up a new opponent, we would hear about how they’d be the one to dethrone him and yada yada. Bj would batter them, strangle them, and then lick blood off his gloves. He beat a seemingly unbeatable Hughes at a higher weight class, and he gave GSP hell of a fight the first time around.

If you don’t respect BJ, you’re either a casual or you didn’t live his era. He was an absolute monster and dominant champion.

 

[theleerygoose]

Legend at his peak but he was definitely overrated for people with eyes.

 

[koquerelle]

could bj have possibly went up and taken the MW belt from Rich?

No. That is a ridiculous question. He was an awesome fighter with great striking and amazing TD defense, but Ace would have murdered him.

 

[Candy Routure]

And that's rare. You love to see it though.

I get called a delusional Max fan every week. I get it, lol.

I love Georges, but I was a BJ fan before GSP arrived in UFC and after he left.

 

[Pitier of Fools]

He got massively overrated for fighting guys who were bigger than him....and losing.

He lost a very clear cut decision to a very green Machida, who was a decision machine point fighter at the time.

His win over Matt Hughes was definitely unexpected and a great win, but people started calling him the GOAT and P4P #1, and it was pure nonsense. He had Hughes' number. Just like Dennis Hallman did.

And Rich Franklin would have murdered him.

 

[SuperNerd]

Georges fan boys.

I'm waiting till page 2 to take shit in this thread.

You know, respectfully.