Is Jens Pulver a "Shot" Fighter?

fullonshred · 07-16-2007, 05:09 PM

First let me say I am a big Jens Pulver fan. I love that underdog chip he carries around on his shoulder, and the Huge Heart he has showed throughout most of his career. I was really hoping he would beat Penn again. But the guy I saw against BJ Penn wasn't remotely close to the Pulver of old. He was tentative, awkward, tight as a drum, and his reflexes seemed terrible to me - very very slow with the few punches he threw, and almost no head movement. I think that is what disturbed me the most - how degraded Jens' reflexes seemed.

Contrast him with the Pulver from the Gomi/PFC fight from 2004 that FSN just ran. Even though he was eventually ko'd by a great fighter, Jens still looked confident, had great footwork, his hands were very fast, he was loose and letting his hands go and finding the mark. Gomi has a really good chin, but Jens stunned him a few times and could have just as easily won that fight.

So - is Jens Pulver done? His reflexes seemed shot, and I am not sure what chance he would have against Faber in the WEC. Faber is lightning quick, aggressive, and has good ground skills. All I see is Pulver having "a puncher's chance", and that only if he can keep the fight on his feet, and let his hands go. I can see Pulver beating some entry level/lower level type guys for a while, but not much more. Am I right? I hope I am wrong!

GSPALLTHEWAY · 07-16-2007, 05:13 PM

i agree on all points... and i really like pulver too... he did look slow and tentitive, and that really hurts him ALOT... he has to be oldschool jens again

fullonshred · 07-16-2007, 07:38 PM

I wonder if this is the results of damage from fights, or age, or getting KO'd several times in his few last outings? Maybe a combination?

I want to say I gained new respect for Penn in that fight. He could easily have broken Jens shoulder like he said he was going to do, but chose not too. Instead, he schooled him, and then put him away with minimal damage done. Kudos to BJ.

Kevin38 · 07-16-2007, 11:13 PM

I agree that JP didnt look as good as he has in the past but also that is the best shape I have seen BJ in ever and he really looked technically solid. Even though Sherk is the LW champ I feel Penn is the best at that weight. Penn stated that he wants to move up to WH and I feel he has a great chance to be the champion in that division. He could probably be a force as far up as MW; the man just has skills.

Kevin38 · 07-16-2007, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin38

I agree that JP didnt look as good as he has in the past but also that is the best shape I have seen BJ in ever and he really looked technically solid. Even though Sherk is the LW champ I feel Penn is the best at that weight. Penn stated that he wants to move up to WH and I feel he has a great chance to be the champion in that division. He could probably be a force as far up as MW; the man just has skills.

I also forgot to mention that I feel JP should be fine at 145 pounds in the WEC; not sayin he will be the best but I feel he will be among the best.

The Bodybag · 07-16-2007, 11:18 PM

Is he as crisp and youthful? Not at all, but he isnt shot. He age is roughing him up a bit but he is still talented and smart. The guy had a tought life so his body is aging pretty poorly. I think he will do well at 145.

fullonshred · 07-17-2007, 02:11 AM

I hope Jens will be successful again. I like his fighting spirit, and agree he has been thru a lot. I wish him well, and hope he regains much of his prior form.

Drexal · 07-17-2007, 01:46 PM

When I read the title of this post I thought what? of course Jens is a short fighter! but on careful inspection I see that this is not what the thread is about.

I really wanted Jens to win against BJ but when I saw the fight it looked like the two were in completely different leagues. Very impressed with Penn in this one. I hope Jens gets back to his best as he was always an entertaining fighter.

F_B · 07-17-2007, 02:07 PM

Jens didn't look as good as he once did. Either it's his training or his age. I suspect the later though.

Off Topic:Why is Jens' nickname Little Evil and not The Pulverizer?

fullonshred · 07-17-2007, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FightinBlind

Jens didn't look as good as he once did. Either it's his training or his age. I suspect the later though.

Off Topic:Why is Jens' nickname Little Evil and not The Pulverizer?

That would have been a natural. No, wait a minute, that's Coture!

OneTwoPunch · 07-17-2007, 10:24 PM

I don't think Jens will be the elite of this division as he once was. He will be good in his new division but there will always be fighters better than him, such as Urijah faber.

Daniel · 07-18-2007, 12:34 AM

I never really cared much for Pulver. He was before my time as a fan and the first time I saw him fight was when Joe Lauzon took him out. I figured he was a champion back when the weight class was pretty low on talent and that he probably wouldn't pop back into the picture again, then I see he's hosting TUF. He didn't come off as the most brilliant guy but he seemed experienced, well trained, and he seemed like a hard worker. He's supposed to be a good boxer, a great Militech fighter, then he gets outpunched outwrestled and outgrappled by BJ Penn. Okay, not bad, I mean it's BJ Penn, right? So how good is Jens Pulver, I really have no idea because all I know about him comes from his recent endeavors, which haven't been impressive...

The LW division is a lot different now than it used to be, I don't think Pulver can be much of a force in it. As a featherweight? Well I haven't seen most of the competition over there in WEC, but I don't see him beating Faber.