Which BJ Penn will show up at UFC 127?
Hands down, BJ Penn is one of the greatest fighters in the short history of Mixed Martial Arts. He is the second fighter in UFC history to hold two belts in two different weight classes and we can’t forget about his accomplishments in the sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Penn has truly earned “The Prodigy” nickname. With exciting fights and high profile wins against the likes of Takanori Gomi, Matt Hughes, Jens Pulver, Diego Sanchez, and many more, he is a favorite among fans, and a big draw for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
However recently, Baby Jay just hasn’t been as good lately. Sure he turned off the lights on Matt Hughes at UFC 123 in their third fight, but what does that prove against an aging Hughes? Prior to that destruction, we saw him fight Frankie Edgar twice in a row for the Lightweight title, and losing in the exact same fashion in both fights. Edgar was faster, making good use of his striking combinations. This wasn’t the same BJ Penn that destroyed Diego Sanchez at UFC 107, destroyed Sean Sherk at UFC 84, and tasted the blood of Joe Stevenson at UFC 80.
Instead we got the BJ Penn that perfected excuse. Instead of going back to the gym and focusing on improvement, he makes up excuses for his defeats. Talking about how he was sick during the first Edgar fight and accusing Georges St. Pierre of greasing in their second bout. That is not the BJ Penn the fans know and love. We pay our hard earned money to see BJ Penn the destroyer, BJ Penn the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, and BJ Penn the man who just loves to scrap.
Penn will be facing a more than worthy challenge against Jon Fitch at UFC 127. High caliber wrestling has always been BJ Penn’s kryptonite and Fitch will most likely do everything he can to control Penn around the Octagon. Not only is Fitch’s wrestling world class in the world of MMA, he is much bigger and possibly stronger then BJ. Penn has been training with old rival Matt Hughes, but will that be enough? If Fitch could win, he could possibly get another shot at the Welterweight title that he has been working so hard for nearly nine years. BJ on the other hand may be in the twilight of his career and this could be his very last chance at a chance for the title.
Will Fitch grind his way to victory or will BJ of old make an appearance at UFC 127?
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