THE CURIOUS CASE OF BJ PENN

In combat sports, there has always been fighters where many fans and experts alike were in agreement that they fought on longer than they should have. Fighters that tarnished their legacy by over staying their welcome in the fight business, to the point where fans far and wide, pleaded with them to hang it up, not for just their legacy’s sake, but for their health. 

Right off the bat, Muhammad Ali springs to mind. Fighters who were legendary, hall of fame, world class fighters, who got caught up in that addictive, adrenaline rush, where they keep going back to the thing they know best. Where the lure of the thing they did for more or less their entire life, has just too much of a hold on them to let it go. 

On many occasion, the talk is “this is all they know” or they do not know how to do anything else and this is all they are good at. So obviously or sadly, they continue to do it for as long as humanly possible. 

This is all good and well in other sports. In non physically bruising and battering sports. Naturally, father times catches up with everyone and when it comes to combats sports. It’s not just a matter of, losing fights, tarnishing your legacy and record. In combat sports, it gets to a stage where it’s more about the health and safety of an ailing fighter. 

This brings me to the UFC hall of fame inductee BJ “the prodigy” Penn. Baby Jay was and still is one of my all time favourite UFC fighters. His dexterity and inventiveness in the octagon drew me to him. His dynamic striking and uniqueness in the octagon, along with his personality, heart of a lion and warrior spirit kept me hooked.

However, after retiring twice already, the first time for just over 12 months, and the second for 2 and half years. He returned to the Octagon in 2017 and has since been on a 4 fight losing streak.

All in all, he is now on a seven fight losing streak, dating back to 2011. In fact BJ has not won a fight in the UFC for almost 9 years, since he beat Matt Hughes in November 2010. 

That is insane. If you can imagine. UFC generally cuts fighters after three consecutive losses, sometimes two. I understand BJ is a hall of famer and deserves respect. But I believe after his fourth consecutive defeat to Yair Rodriguez on his return to the octagon in 2017, he should have called it quits. Naturally, to return from a two and a half year hiatus to get taken out so viciously, someone with BJ Penn’s record was never going out like that.

So he was matched up against another veteran in Dennis Siver but lost a majority points decision. Another defeat where he took some heavy shots and you could see had lost a few steps. So he was then matched up against a grappler in Ryan Hall. Who wasn’t that threatening on the feet, however, He was submitted in quick time in the first round.

A few months ago in May he was matched up against veteran wild man Glay Guida, who generally fights with his face. However, BJ loss a unanimous points decision and personally, it didn’t feel good to watch a BJ Penn fight anymore. Everyone lose’s fights but it just didn’t feel right seeing BJ Penn battered, bruised and losing. 

Now I hear he is being matched up for one last fight with Nik Lentz for UFC 242 in September. I surely hope this will be BJ’s last fight. He is shadow of his former self that had brought us two epic battles with Jens Pulver. Three epic battles with Matt Hughes. Two epic battles with George St Pierre. Also fights against Lyoto Machida. Renzo Gracie. Diego Sanchez. Duane Ludwig. Jon Fitch. Joe Stevenson. Sean Sherk. Kenny Florian. Nick Diaz Rory Macdonald and 3 fights with Frankie Edgar. 

I know it happens to a lot with combat sportsmen and BJ is in a long line of fighters who should have hung them up a long time ago, or when they retired, should have stayed retired. But I understand once a fighter, always a fighter. However, BJ owns a gym, I cant imagine him being that broke. I guess it’s purely for the love of the game but also, the now seven fight losing streak does not help. 

For the younger UFC fans who didnt quite get to see the BJ Penn that I saw and marvelled at.

He was someone that brought the lighter weight fighters in the UFC into the mainstream, one of the first and few real lighter weight superstars in the company. He even starred as a coach opposite Jens Pulver in The Ultimate Fighter 5 in 2007. 

BJ Penn was only the second fighter in UFC’s history to win a title in multiple weights and broke the all time lightweight title defence record with 3 consecutive defences. Previously he had won the welterweight title on his welterweight debut against Matt Hughes, but was stripped due to contractual issues. He even moved up and fought Lyoto Machida in 2005.

So it really does hurt me to see what BJ is reducing himself to. This is someone who was regarded as the best lightweight the company had ever seen. But who am I, or who is anyone to tell the UFC hall of famer what to do? I am sure BJ does what ever the hell he wants to do. 

However, after all the entertainment he has provided. I am just a concerned, long standing fan, who would rather see his superstars not tarnish the tail end of their records and risk their health and safety. 

In a week where two boxers have passed away after fights. You cannot help to look at the health and safety aspects. Not that I am tempting fate on Baby Jay. But for your legacy, for your health, for your fans, for your family. Let this be your last fight Mr Penn. 

Not just in the UFC, forever. Go and enjoy the fruits of your vast labour, you’ve earned it. So come UFC242 in Abu Dhabi. For one last time. I will support. Like it was 04, for the welterweight title against Matt Hughes. Or the grudge rematch with Jens Pulver in 07. Or the battle with Sean Sherk in 08. Or against Diego Sanchez in 09. Or  the rubber match with Hughes in 2010. Lets turn back the clock and go out with a bang BJ Penn style.