interesting editorial by UG member and Honolulu StarAdvertiser sportswriter Billy Hull... Leading up to the fight, B.J. Penn said that we'd see the real B.J. Penn on Saturday night.
The real B.J. Penn
Sad to say, he may be right.
The B.J. Penn we saw against Frankie Edgar was unmotivated and uninterested, and that seems to be where he is in his career now.
Training with the Marinovich crew in California is what got Penn to the level he was at in fights against Diego Sanchez and Kenny Florian. Since then, he decided he didn't need to train with them. He's gone back to training in Hilo, hanging around his same guys and the same camp.
If this really meant anything to him, he would have taken from his last loss that what he was doing wasn't enough to stay the champion. Instead, we saw more of the same on Saturday, except that the results got a lot worse. Even on the ground, where he is leaps and bounds ahead of Edgar, Penn couldn't do a thing.
He looked average, he looked old, he looked not to be in the same shape he was for the Florian and Sanchez fights. But the worst part about it all is he looked like he didn't even care.
We're used to seeing that raving mad lunatic, licking his lips like a predator on the prowl when he walked to the ring. Last night looked like a stroll down Death Row. The real B.J. Penn I saw is the one who has mentally checked out of fighting. If that's the case, then forget any talk of comebacks or working your way back up. Instead, ponder the idea that maybe this is it for B.J. Penn, and we never see him fight again.
http://blogs.starbulletin.com/fightingwords/the-real-b-j-penn/
i found it refreshing that a Hawaii sports writer did not look to protect BJ's image, but rather criticized his commitment to training and willingness to sacrifice for the belt. very unusual (and honest) report for a local sports writer. most would do a puff piece to maintain BJ's legacy.
i wish more national MMA reporters were as objective.
I hope Billy Hull knows that consequences will never be the same. Penn's mom will not let this aggression stand.
Steamfitter...you suggesting that Mama Penn will lead the people to the steps of the StarAdvertiser, demanding them to give over the "haole" scalp of Billy Hull?
PatrickFreitas - Steamfitter...you suggesting that Mama Penn will lead the people to the steps of the StarAdvertiser, demanding them to give over the "haole" scalp of Billy Hull?
The Mama-Penn-Mob is on the move as we speak!!!
RIP BJ
finished
wow that reporter had dead on what i said last night...my exact feelings
im inclined he will retire or make a fool of himself a few more times..shit man aleast Pulver and Shamrock look like they want to kick ass..
Penn last night looked like a diabetic in a candy store...he just didnt wanted to be there!
Hull is spot on.
BJ is at his best when he is training on the mainland with guys who don't give a crap about the BJ Penn legend. It brings out his competitive side and his mean streak. When he trains at home with a bunch of sycophants and starry eyed fanboys it always brings out the worst in him ... the spoiled rich kid who doesn't like to put in the work.