PINOYPRIDE

Well I think it is unfair for Sherk to get an immediate title shot after his suspension, look what UFC did to Tim. As for BJ, I agree that he hasn't fought anyone in the LW division to make him get a title shot, same as Sherk.

My answer will be the same if it was another fighter instead of BJ fighting for a title shot. I guess it is all about money and fans would like to see (if BJ wins) a fight between these two fighers.

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Favorite fighers---->BJ Penn/GSP/Manny Pacquiao/Mike Tyson/Gina Carano /Fedor/Brandon Vera/A. Silva

majestyk1976

Yeah, I guess you are right

OneTwoPunch

Three title less PPV's in a row. No bueno.

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DOOOOOOOOO ITTTTTTT!
WAR GSP, WAR SPIDER!

opsy

I was just messing with you, just acting like being a BJ nut-hugger.

NateRupe

Somehow I feel this is Matt Hughes' fault.

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"I see no way Randy can win. He’s too old, too small and [had] too long of a layoff. Lesnar is too massive, athletic and younger. That being said, I think Randy wins." - Chris Lytle

Tito couldn't bust an egg!

The-Iceman-Chuck-Liddell

uhhhh HOW?

RockemSockem

That was good. I actually laughed out loud. Props sir.

__________________
"I will do nothing lightly. When I walk, I will walk heavily. When I fight, I will fight with conviction. When I speak, I will speak strongly. When I feel, I will feel everything. When I love, I will love with everything."

-Evan Tanner

KungFuGrip

Dec. 17, 2007, 12:47AM
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS NOTEBOOK
Title shot is enough motivation for Penn





Mixed martial arts coverage
BJ Penn has had a change of heart. Another challenge awaits at lightweight after all.

After stopping Jens Pulver in June in his first bout at lightweight in nearly four years, Penn said no other fighter at 155 pounds could motivate him like longtime-rival Pulver.

The 29-year-old Hawaiian was eyeing a return to welterweight and a third fight with Matt Hughes. While Penn still covets a crack at Hughes, who evened their personal series at a victory apiece with a win at UFC 63 last year, a shot at another title will keep him at lightweight a while longer.

"It's all about getting that lightweight title right now," said Penn (12-4-1), who held the UFC welterweight crown in 2004 after beating Hughes in their first battle.

"Joe Stevenson isn't the big name like Hughes or (Georges) St. Pierre, but it's all about getting the title. I really want to be the first guy to have a belt in the lightweight and welterweight divisions."

Penn will face Stevenson (32-7) next month at UFC 80 in Newcastle, England, in a bout originally slated to be for the interim title at 155 pounds while Sean Sherk's championship status was decided. The interim tag was removed earlier this month when the California State Athletic Commission upheld a reduced suspension for Sherk for a positive steroid test. The UFC subsequently stripped Sherk of the title.

Sherk's link to steroids has been an intriguing part of the backdrop to the Penn-Stevenson bout, with UFC president Dana White stating that Sherk will get an opportunity to reclaim his belt by facing the winner of the fight next year.

Penn has been critical of Sherk, suggesting there should be a separate division for fighters found cheating, and intimated that he wouldn't fight Sherk if Sherk's suspension were upheld. While Penn has backed away from those comments and now says he will entertain a fight with the former champion, he continues to take his shots.

"That's what he is; he's a 'roider, huh?" said Penn, who has been outspoken in his opposition to performance-enhancing drugs in the sport.

"The guy has been cheating for how many years? At least everybody knows now what everybody had suspected the whole time.

"But honestly, I can't worry about Sean Sherk right now. I can't look past Joe Stevenson. I've got to beat him, or there won't be any fight with Sean Sherk, there won't be any fight with Matt Hughes.

"As far as Sherk goes, he's going to have to sit on the side and wait while the two people fight for the real lightweight championship, not the 'steroid championship.' "

Penn and Stevenson headline UFC 80, the promotion's first show of 2008, set for Jan. 19



Penn is funny. Steroid championship lol

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"If you don't want to be hit in the back of the head, turn around."

RockemSockem

Pulling no punches as usual. It's amazing he doesn't get choked out with his nose so high in the air. But he'll go punch another cop then hold another choke for extra few seconds and still act like he's never done wrong. Sherk's guilt is at least in doubt. Can't say that about Penn.

__________________
"I will do nothing lightly. When I walk, I will walk heavily. When I fight, I will fight with conviction. When I speak, I will speak strongly. When I feel, I will feel everything. When I love, I will love with everything."

-Evan Tanner

theEmpiric

Thanks for the article Master!

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GSP - A. Silva - BJ Penn - Huerta - Guida

Beazt

Penn may be guilty of his own crimes but you can't put an asterisk beside his record.

I'm not going to say which crime is worse, but the truth is most MMA fans don't know that BJ punched a cop. Even non-mma fans know that Sherk tested positive for steroids. Steroid scandals are huge right now in any sport. Police altercations are not.

asronn

what did I miss? The guy failed a drug test. How much more evidence do you need?

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I've got a strategy, it's called whoop that ass!"

-Quinton Jackson

RockemSockem

If you want to pretend it's black and white be my guest, i however see the giant grey area in between.

__________________
"I will do nothing lightly. When I walk, I will walk heavily. When I fight, I will fight with conviction. When I speak, I will speak strongly. When I feel, I will feel everything. When I love, I will love with everything."

-Evan Tanner

opsy

If Matt Hughes is the only thing motivating you, choose another profession. "I am fighting who? Oh, he doesn't motivate me" It's just disrespectful and so many fighters say it.

NateRupe

BJ Penn doesn't know how to let go of submission holds, on that Blood Sport to Big Time thing Rich Franklin said he never fight's just to hurt someone, I'll bet before every fight BJ Penn goes "Wow, I sure hope I can kill this guy". He held onto that choke on Pulver for at least two seconds after Pulver tapped, that is bull****.

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"I see no way Randy can win. He’s too old, too small and [had] too long of a layoff. Lesnar is too massive, athletic and younger. That being said, I think Randy wins." - Chris Lytle

Tito couldn't bust an egg!

Master Jones

Joe Riggs......

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A Good Plan Violently Executed Now Is Better Than A Perfect Plan Executed Next Week.
George S. Patton

NateRupe

I hope Joe finds a way to knock BJ out, that would be insane! BJ is gonna learn why Joe is his "DADDEH!"

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"I see no way Randy can win. He’s too old, too small and [had] too long of a layoff. Lesnar is too massive, athletic and younger. That being said, I think Randy wins." - Chris Lytle

Tito couldn't bust an egg!

Gooner

Meh, all you BJ-haters are boring me. I is officially bored now.


Why did Sherk get the first shot at the LW-title?
Who had he beaten at 155? Oh, nobody, you say?
Izza outrage!!!

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FF Prediction Contest Wins:
UFC 69
UFC 74
UFC 76
UFC 87

T-Bone

Am I the only one who doesn't hate (or dislike) Sherk or BJ?

OneBigThrow

I am a big BJ fan and I dont dislike sherk at all

i love sherks fights and i think hes good for the sport

but the fact is that he tested positive and the CSAC did not 100% clear him so not only should he be punished officially, but the UFC should take initiative in showing some semblance of a 0 tolerance policy by doing something other than....i dono...giving him a title shot his first fight back from suspension


its not a good precedent and it is not fair to previous title holders that failed their tests and had to bite and claw their way back into contention