Hughes vs Penn, too soon?? - Fight Forum - MMA - UFC - Boxing - K1

topfighterstandings · 08-24-2006, 09:43 AM

I would have like to seen BJ Penn fight another welterweight of midcard caliber before getting his title shot. I know Penn beat Hughes, but that was 2-1/2 years ago. And the UFC is trying to make it seem like he is just as good now as he was then, which maybe true. But they also tried to make it seem like Royce Gracie was just as good as he was at UFC 4, which was not true and Gracie got dominated. So I hope that the same thing doesn't happen with this match-up.

Bomber · 08-24-2006, 10:41 AM

Instead of questioning this fight you should have posted a thread thanking BJ Penn for saving UFC 63. What would have happened if he had turned the fight down?

SWIBC · 08-24-2006, 11:03 AM

ok 3/4 of you guys hate Penn, get over it, would you rather see Hughes fight another match against an uninspired overweight Joe Riggs? Wow what a main event that would be. Penn beat Hughes and never lost the title, he was stripped. All of the GSP lovers should hope Penn beats Hughes so that GSP can then beat Penn for the title.

topfighterstandings · 08-24-2006, 11:17 AM

I think you guys have got me all wrong. I don't hate Penn. He is the obvious(and only) choice for this fight. I wouldn't go so far as to thank him for taking a title shot. But I still wish he would have fought someone else between March and now. And I'm still bitter about Hughes/Gracie.

BTW, Gracie said he wants a rematch. He's nuts.

Nimmy · 08-24-2006, 11:20 AM

yepi agree with you on this one, penn didnt look his best vs GSp and hasnt fought since, maybe Penn vs a weaker opponent would benefit Penn and us more, although im really excited about the boubt im not sure if penn should come straight into a fight with the no 1 yet after lsing to the no 2. however penn deserves credit for saving the card and i think he will be ready and eager to go

Bomber · 08-24-2006, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topfighterstandings

But they also tried to make it seem like Royce Gracie was just as good as he was at UFC 4, which was not true and Gracie got dominated.

You're comparing Penn and Royce? UFC 4 was 10 years ago, not 2-1/2. Big difference. Also, Gracie is as good now as he was in UFC 4. It's just that MMA has changed and Royce hasn't. Pure BJJ is no longer enough to compete against the top players.

You should go to youtube and google videos and watch a few Penn fights. He is still The Prodigy. This fight will be nothing like Hughes/Gracie.

sitnspin · 08-24-2006, 11:39 AM

I'm not bashing BJ, because I'm a fan. He's been so incredible in a bunch of his fights, and there's no denying his achievements in jiu-jitsu and MMA. He's one of those guys who's beyond talented -- he's a freak of nature.

But I think that's also what's held him back lately. I think he's so impressed with himself and so overconfident that it's cost him fights and we've seen others go to decisions when the old BJ would have finished them. I don't think he takes his opponents seriously. I think he's so positive that he'll walk through them that he doesn't train as hard as he could so his conditioning is lacking, and I think he gets frustrated when the fight's lasted a couple of rounds and he hasn't won it.

So BJ, if you're reading this (lol), you underestimated GSP and it cost you the fight. Don't make the same mistake with Hughes just because you surprised him once and you believe you're the better fighter. TRAIN HARD, and treat this like the toughest fight of your life.

Bomber · 08-24-2006, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sitnspin

He's one of those guys who's beyond talented -- he's a freak of nature.

But I think that's also what's held him back lately.

That's the way it seems to me, too. Penn wants to win without having to work too hard. It's probably to his advantage that this fight is so close. Maybe he'll be able to keep his head into the training for a month and be ready for this fight. If the WW belt doesn't motivate him, nothing will. He says he wants the LW, WW and MW belts. Here's his chance to start toward that goal.

sitnspin · 08-24-2006, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bomber

He says he wants the LW, WW and MW belts. Here's his chance to start toward that goal.

Dana White said once that BJ's goal is to take all three of those belts, then move up to 205 and beat Chuck, then move up and take the HW belt. He said something like, "You think I'm kidding, but that's the way BJ's mind works."

PghPens71 · 08-24-2006, 12:55 PM

It was'nt soon enough honestly, he last fought in March. They should of fed Matt to him at UFC 60 instead of that pointless main event Hughes was in. He'll kick his ass all over again, he may have underestimated him but we saw at UFC 46 that Hughes just could'nt do anything. That was as physical domination as it was mental. BJ's the best in the world at WW.

Bomber · 08-24-2006, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sitnspin

"You think I'm kidding, but that's the way BJ's mind works."

LMAO! How can anyone not like BJ?

I don't think Penn can beat Franklin, but I wouldn't doubt WW and LW champ. Chuck and Tim's belts? No, I don't think so.

Bomber · 08-24-2006, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PghPens71

BJ's the best in the world at WW.

That's a tough case to make since his loss to GSP.

Harms · 08-24-2006, 01:36 PM

This is really the only choice since GSP can't fight. I'm really looking forward to this.

PINOYPRIDE · 08-24-2006, 02:21 PM

I would say that Penn did save UFC 63, I am Penn fan but if he doesn't come prepared for this fight then he will have another Loss under his record.

He has to work on stamina cause obviously, Hughes knows submissions now then when they first met.

I will support Penn 100 percent in any fight but this is the WW title on the line and he needs to get back into his old self and kick some ass.

Jras0001 · 08-24-2006, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sitnspin

Dana White said once that BJ's goal is to take all three of those belts, then move up to 205 and beat Chuck, then move up and take the HW belt. He said something like, "You think I'm kidding, but that's the way BJ's mind works."

I heard the same thing about him wanting to take all the belts. The thing is, a lot of people laugh when they hear that but out of anyone, Penn is probably the only person I can think of that even has a shot of accomplishing that goal. He has fought at all weight classes LW through HW and has done well in them. He only lost to Lyoto Machiada in the HW devision by decision (I believe). That in itself is pretty impressive due to the size differences and Penn's natural weight arguably being LW or WW. If he was determined, I could see him takint the LW, WW, and possibly the MW belt. His real challenge would be with Rich, who is built a lot like GSP....tall, long limbs, great striker, good takedown defense.

LB4LB · 08-24-2006, 02:28 PM

Overweight Joe Riggs, the same Joe Riggs that use to be 300lbs....

Let's get it on, no it's not to soon. Penn by submission.

Profane · 08-24-2006, 02:39 PM

I love the way Penn thinks. if more of the fighters in the UFC thought like him we would see Hughes trying to take the MW and LHW belts we would see Chuck fighting Sylvia. we would see Franklin fighting LHW and HW fights. it would make for some really nice match's. but all the current champs seem to be happy with there one belt and thats that. i think of all the champs currently active right now the best chance for someone to want another belt would be chuck. Chuck as the Heavywieght champ would be a huge boost to the sport.

Snow Patrol · 08-24-2006, 02:39 PM

How could Penn possibly fight as a heavyweight? I thought the rules said the fighter must weigh in the range of 206-265lbs. Can he put on enough weight to make the lower weight limit?

sitnspin · 08-24-2006, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snow Patrol

How could Penn possibly fight as a heavyweight? I thought the rules said the fighter must weigh in the range of 206-265lbs. Can he put on enough weight to make the lower weight limit?

He's done it before.

Gooner · 08-24-2006, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bomber

LMAO! How can anyone not like BJ?

I don't think Penn can beat Franklin, but I wouldn't doubt WW and LW champ.

Listen, it's simple mmath... Machida KO'd Franklin, BJ lost to him by decision.
-------> BJ >Franklin

I would love to see him take all those belts, but it's a tough call. Rich has been dropped by guys who he's dominated. BJ might be able to do that and maybe pounce on him better than Tanner or Loiseau.