Lightweight champion BJ Penn defended his title @ 107 against ultimate fighter winner Diego Sanchez.
If you saw the fight you will understand it when I say he didn’t just beat Diego he had the answer before Diego asked the question. Don’t forget Diego was until recently a highly thought of welterweight.
BJ for 4 and half rounds won every round, his boxing, his defence and brief attacks were so methodical he looked like he saw every move. His boxing was awesome and just illustrates how he developed since his recent lost at welterweight against GSP.
The difference between BJ and the rest of the division and arguably across the lightweight worldwide category is he is the best boxer, the best BJJ fighter, grappler and has almost take down defence.
So the question is what does he do?
At lightweight -
Does he take on Gray Maynard?
Maynard has been one of the raising unbeaten fighters within the last few years, he has beaten some of the best and is huge at 155. He has also beaten closest rival Frank Edgar in 2008.
Question that strikes me is he going to trouble BJ? His hands might not be quick enough, his BJJ isn’t in the class of BJ’s no and can he take him down I doubt it. So really that’s a pointless title defence and not a fight to excite the fans. I think he should fight a classy fighter like Kenny Florian first.
Does he take on Frankie Edgar?
Frankie Edgar is a raising star of MMA no question but the only skill he has is his wrestling but even if he takes BJ down does he have the skills to finish or keep him there or even would BJ get out and end up tabbing Frankie out. I forsee a easy win for BJ again. I think is Frankie beats a big name at lightweight possibly throw him in against Diego Sanchez to see his credentials.
Does he take on Shinya Aoki?
Well this would be so many if’s and buts, however if Dana and co could get this rolling it would be one fight that might excite BJ and UFC fans. I can’t see this happening but in long run maybe a possibility. The only question mark for me as a fighter is Aoki has already lost 4 fights and Dana wouldn’t want to sign him put him up against a contender or challenger and lose his first fight, Denis Kang was highly thought of and was so disappointing he was dropped.
Rematch with Kenny Florian could be on the cards in the future but definitely wouldn’t be the best for UFC lightweight and I also think Kenny couldn’t beat BJ.
Going up to welterweight -
GSP would be the first one suggested by the fans, it would sell out every venue but not quite the best thing for the welterweight division or championship. Not sure this would be the best thing for Penn either.
GSP defends title against Englishman Dan Hardy possibly at UFC 111 and would need to beat him to even stand a chance for the rubber match.
There has been strong rumours that former number one contender Jon Fitch would face BJ if he steps up. Fitch is probably number two or three contender currently and would have something to say if the rubber match was suggested. Fitch has won 19 out of his last 20 fights and only loss in that run was against current champ GSP. Fitch is also a large welterweight (has fought at light heavyweight before) and can trade with all comers at WW, this fight would be very good and give BJ a real look at a classy welterweight.
I am sure BJ would love to step back up but with all the huge welterweights he might have to train 6-9 months before he gave himself a real chance. Grease gate and the ease in which GSP took BJ down would illustrate the huge difference.
Another champion who has stepped up middleweight champ and pound for pound best fighter Anderson Silva’s transition period was not easy but he does walk around more like 205 and is a very large middleweight and appears light heavyweight is much less of a cut and possibly a more natural weight than what BJ does. On the flip side BJ’s new training camp appears to have given him a real confidence and wouldn’t appear to be a problem with building mass and adapting his training to welterweight. BJ would need to beat at least one welterweight from comments via UFC president Dana White. There would be a line up of potential fighters who want to have BJ’s scalp under the record, Josh Koscheck, Thiago Alves and would it prompt another fight between Matt Hughes and BJ or even Matt Serra and BJ?
Anyone who wants to fight will have to pay attention, many people do not know he has fought some of the biggest names in MMA, he beat Matt Hughes at welterweight at UFC 46, he beat Rodrigo Gracie at middleweight and fought Lyoto Machida at light heavyweight when Lyoto was close to 30lbs heavier.
I’d like to see BJ step up beat a bigger fighter possibly Koscheck and then maybe have a shot at GSP for the rubber match. BJ doesn’t strike me to leave the lightweight division and may need to defend his title at least once in 2010, maybe it will be Maynard or Edgar. Switching weight might be more difficult but if one fighter who has the desire to go down in history is Baby Jay Penn.
BJ Penn’s UFC career –
Win 15–5–1 Diego Sanchez TKO (Doctor Stoppage) UFC 107: Penn vs. Sanchez
Win 14–5–1 Kenny Florian Submission (Rear Naked Choke) UFC 101: Declaration
Loss 13–5–1 Georges St-Pierre TKO (Corner Stoppage) UFC 94: St-Pierre vs. Penn 2
Win 13–4–1 Sean Sherk TKO (Knee and Punches) UFC 84: Ill Will
Win 12–4–1 Joe Stevenson Submission (Rear Naked Choke) UFC 80: Rapid Fire
Win 11–4–1 Jens Pulver Submission (Rear Naked Choke) The Ultimate Fighter 5 Finale
Loss 10–4–1 Matt Hughes TKO (Punches) UFC 63: Hughes vs. Penn
Loss 10–3–1 Georges St-Pierre Decision (Split) UFC 58: US vs. Canada
Win 7–1–1 Matt Hughes Submission (Rear Naked Choke) UFC 46: Supernatural
Draw 5–1–1 Caol Uno Draw UFC 41: Onslaught
Win 5–1 Matt Serra Decision (Unanimous) UFC 39: The Warriors Return
Win 4–1 Paul Creighton TKO (Strikes) UFC 37: High Impact
Loss 3–1 Jens Pulver Decision (Majority) UFC 35: Throwdown
Win 3–0 Caol Uno KO (Punches) UFC 34: High Voltage
Win 2–0 Din Thomas TKO (Strikes) UFC 32: Showdown in the Meadowlands
Win 1–0 Joey Gilbert TKO (Strikes) UFC 31: Locked and Loaded
Danny Denhard
