October 14, 2011 – When it comes to MMA history, few fighters have ever elicited enough fan reaction to be considered an ‘idol’ of the sport. UFC co-main event fighter B.J. Penn is one of a special breed of fighter that belongs in that category based on how fervently fans support him every time he steps into the octagon.
Appropriately nicknamed “The Prodigy,” B.J. entered the MMA world in 2001 after making history by getting his jiu-jitsu black belt faster than anyone else ever had at the time. Compounding that accomplishment, B.J. would go on to become the first non-Brazilian to win the black-belt division at the prestigious B.J.J World Championships just a few weeks after getting his belt from Andre Pederneiras of Nova União.
Making his MMA debut at UFC 31, B.J. would finish his first three opponents, including one of the most replayed KO’s in MMA history with his blitzkrieg of veteran Caol Uno. Since that time, B.J. Penn would go on to have a storied career – winning a UFC belt at both lightweight and welterweight and even going so far as to dabble in higher weight classes, going all the way up to light-heavyweight to fight Lyoto Machida at one point.
Despite all his accomplishments though, many critics still consider B.J. Penn as a fighter who’s never reached his potential for greatness. Based on his recent UFC 137 pre-fight interview, the Hawaiian actually agrees with his critics.
He believes and is determined to do much more.
“I’ve never really reached my peak and I’ve never really reached my potential,” B.J. remarked. “I’m going to fight until I get to that point. I’m excited for this fight (with Diaz) and to take another step and move forward in the right direction. Everyone’s goal is to get to the top; In order to get there we’re going to have to beat each other. There can only be one.”
His opponent Diaz enters this fight having never lost his Strikeforce welterweight belt and as winner of his last ten bouts in a row. He may a bit of a mercurial personality (an understatement) but he’s also a supremely talented fighter both standing and on the ground while having enough cardio to run marathons and finish ironman competitions. And many would say he’s every bit as ‘tough-as-nails’ as B.J. Penn himself.
In short, Diaz is an opponent that’s going to bring it and Penn realizes that.
“He sets a fast pace, he throws a lot of punches. He sets the pace well. His grappling is like a pure jiu-jitsu style. He does a lot of things very well. We’ve got to do everything he can do but do it stronger, faster, and be first. I’m there to take him out from the first round to the third round. I want to put on the performance of my life. I want to come out with my hand raised. On October 29th, I will defeat Nick Diaz.”
With a win at UFC 137 and a title shot potentially looming for the winner, this could be the beginning of Penn getting yet another shot at greatness.
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