UFC 94 Penn vs. St-Pierre Poll

[King of Kailua]

January 31st, UFC 94. (Is this Superbowl weekend?) Who will win?

I'm not the biggest fan of UFC as far as the circus atmosphere and violence goes, but I have much respect for MMA and being a Kailua boy transplanted to Hilo like BJ I have an interest. BJ is my home town boy so of course I'm rooting for him. It will be a big mountain for him to climb though to beat St. Pierre who is probably the best trained fighting MMA machine UFC has ever carded. Penn will have to demonstrate more discipline than he has shown in the past to beat this guy. BJ for sure is being carded as the underdog. The Hilo Scrapper versus the Canadian Snow Monkey.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9oZIuaHRHw

[TimmyBoston]

GSP's gonna win this one.

[King of Kailua]

GSP's gonna win this one.

That's a safe bet :cool:

[papasmurf]

You forgot the option that hilo boy is going to gas out and then get KO'ed





GSP's gonna win this one.


thats a big + 1 bud


Penn is a good fighter but there is no way in hell he will be able to keep up with GSP for 5 rounds if it goes that long . GSP is going to push for a really fast paced fight .

I only give the fight to Penn if he can pull off an early submission I think if this fight goes more then one round GSP will win .

[dkapp]

GSP by TKO in the 3rd round.

[King of Kailua]

I only give the fight to Penn if he can pull off an early submission I think if this fight goes more then one round GSP will win .

That's probably what most people are thinking. Penn has to explode during the first round. Hopefully, in subsequent rounds he will chip away at the licks invested in earlier. It will be a challenge to put a hole in GSP's armor though. I know Penn has been training really hard for this fight and the buzz at his gym downtown is pretty apparent. What worries me is all the hype talk that Penn has been putting out (http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/mma_experts/post/You-lack-heart-if-you-doubt-B-J-Penn?urn=mma,136309) before this fight compared to GSP's apparent all business attitude. I guess that's what an underdog has to do though. I hope Penn has remained focused throughout all the Spike/UFC/Primetime hooplah that swarms around these type of events. Personally, it think the sport needs to mature and get some degree of separation from the Spike/UFC relationship. I'm predicting a good fight though.

[texcattlerancher]

I like BJ but I believe GSP is going to win this one.

[Sullybob]

I want GSP to take this fight. If BJ can take it to the ground I think he can take it. The only problem is getting GSP to the ground. GSP's wrestling is amazing.

I'll be honest though, every single prediction I had for UFC 91 was wrong. I thought that Wandeli was going to threepete Jackson. So what do I know?

[Zach V.]

GSP's gonna win this one.

My thoughts also. I love mma. And while we are on the subject...

For all of the aggressively outspoken mma haters out there:

Considering all of the crap going on in today's world, I don't see the big deal with a couple of skilled athletes fighting in the ring. These matches are supervised by professional medical personnel and qualified refs.

There are certainly bigger fish to fry- think about spending your time griping and moaning about something that really matters. If you don't like it, fine, just don't watch it.

[Sullybob]

I have yet to watch this weeks UFC prime time or what ever it is. In last weeks episode BJ decided to take 5 days of from training and go to a resort. Did he stay there for all 5 days? I hope that he is taking GSP seriously.

[TstebinsB]

I miss the days when heavyweight boxing mattered. :sniff sniff: Don't mind me. Carry on.

[Sullybob]

I miss the days when heavyweight boxing mattered. :sniff sniff: Don't mind me. Carry on.

Me too. I think boxing did it to itself though. Too many titles and too many weight classes.

[King of Kailua]

Me too. I think boxing did it to itself though. Too many titles and too many weight classes.

Don't forget the ear biting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1i0Ltfz5sTA

[King of Kailua]

Considering all of the crap going on in today's world, I don't see the big deal with a couple of skilled athletes fighting in the ring. These matches are supervised by professional medical personnel and qualified refs.

There are certainly bigger fish to fry- think about spending your time griping and moaning about something that really matters. If you don't like it, fine, just don't watch it.

I respect MMA too much not to be a little disappointed in it's presentation through UFC. Personally I like Penn's thoughts on weight class (http://www.faniq.com/blog/Weight-Class-Movement-in-MMA-and-Boxing-Blog-11141). A martial art, is a martial art. What good is it if you cannot demonstrate skills against an opponent of a different size class? Why not define the weight class issue differently so MMA fighters can demonstrate this fundamental aspect of their sport? Also, I have issues with the wagering that dovetails with a UFC presentation. The owners of UFC run casinos and bookies while they promote these fights by piggy backing the hype with "reality" shows. There's is a shadow world between the sport and the promotion. It seems a little fishy to me.

~~~~~
BJ Penn in 3 rounds.

[Sullybob]

The reality show comment hits close to home for me. I originally really liked The Ultimate Fighter show. In my opinion it has turned crap. Last season's antics with Junie were enough to make me stop watching it after several episodes. The previous season I DVR'ed it and would watch some of it and fast forward to the good parts, training, fighting etc. I don't think the show is helping to grow the sport, I think its doing quite the opposite.

I was out of town for the Lesnar/Couture fight, it will be on spike tv tomorrow night. I'm watching the whole card. I can't wait!

[Mejnoon]

BJ has a way of making great fighters look terrible. I see him pulling out a sub in the first or second. If it goes longer, GSP will probably grind out a decision, but it won't be impressive. My money is on Penn.

I'm excited for Fedor/Arlovski tonight. Been a while since we've seen Fedor fight someone that can move well and has some speed...Arlovski's gonna get his wig split, but I think it will be entertaining:biggrin:

[TimmyBoston]

Fedor is unbelievable.

[Sullybob]

Fedor is unbelievable.

I have to agree with that.

[King of Kailua]

GSP by TKO

BJP quit after 4 and didn't even get a single lick in. GSP was a machine at work. A saw blade that just buzzed through Penn round after round. I bet there were a few pissed off drunk hawaiians rolling out of the bars tonight after this one.

The other cards weren't that great. The two brazilian light heavies were a pretty good bout but I wasn't too impressed by the others. How can a judge call a good fight after three rounds on the undercard anyway? I don't get that.

[Sullybob]

I didn't watch the fight but I read about it this morning. It seemed pretty one sided. You said that BJ didn't get in one lick? Really? That is really one sided.

My condolences.

I think that BJ can dominate the lightweight division for a long time, I think that WW is just to heavy for him. Also, wasn't this the first time that he had a complete camp? By that I mean all the different coaches plus a nutritionist? I wonder if that had any affect on him?

[SRock]

I didn't watch the fight but I read about it this morning. It seemed pretty one sided. You said that BJ didn't get in one lick? Really? That is really one sided.

My condolences.

I think that BJ can dominate the lightweight division for a long time, I think that WW is just to heavy for him. Also, wasn't this the first time that he had a complete camp? By that I mean all the different coaches plus a nutritionist? I wonder if that had any affect on him?

Yes, it was that one sided!

BJ is outclassed by GSP in everyday life and he was totally outclassed by GSP in the ring. GSP worked him over bad. I thought that GSP would ground and pound him out. When BJ quit (sorry BJ fans, but truth is he quit) I was flabbergasted. It was a great fight for GSP. BJ is way too small to be fighting as a Welter Weight. He was a bit flabby at 168lbs where as GSP was totally shredded at that weight. GSP is normally a 185-190lb dude. If BJ got as ripped as GSP he'd probably only weigh about 145lbs.

[Mejnoon]

I don't think its fair to say BJ didn't get any licks in.

The first round was a stalemate...GSP pressed him against the cage and tried to work a single, and BJ hopped around and stuffed it. The brief striking exchanges were fairly cautious, with neither guy landing anything of note.

Between rounds Greg Jackson told GSP 2 things...first, that if he wanted to take BJ down he'd have to pick him up. Second, that he shouldn't bother...Jackson told him to "kickbox with him" and to "take a round on striking."

And thats what GSP tried to do in the beginning of the second...he came out trying to bang, and BJ promptly landed two crisp, clean combos. After getting hit a couple times GSP went back to the takedown, and was finally able to turn the corner on his single.

Thats where GSP started to impress me...I was blown away by his ability to handle BJ's guard. He sat in it and threw bombs, he passed it like it was nothing and held side control...he just generally showed no respect for one of the most dangerous guards in the world, and BJ had no answer. That changed the fight completely...BJ lost his mental edge right there, and it was all over for him. When he finally got up his hands were slow, his footwork was gone, and Georges teed off on him (and took him down at will). The 3rd and 4th rounds were ugly.

The rest of the card was a little dissapointing. Silva/Machida was pretty entertaining...Silva played right in to Machida's hands, and Machida showed just how good he is at what he does. Diaz/Guida was fairly entertaining too, but Diaz got robbed.

[SRock]

I don't think its fair to say BJ didn't get any licks in.

The first round was a stalemate...GSP pressed him against the cage and tried to work a single, and BJ hopped around and stuffed it. The brief striking exchanges were fairly cautious, with neither guy landing anything of note.

Between rounds Greg Jackson told GSP 2 things...first, that if he wanted to take BJ down he'd have to pick him up. Second, that he shouldn't bother...Jackson told him to "kickbox with him" and to "take a round on striking."

And thats what GSP tried to do in the beginning of the second...he came out trying to bang, and BJ promptly landed two crisp, clean combos. After getting hit a couple times GSP went back to the takedown, and was finally able to turn the corner on his single.

Thats where GSP started to impress me...I was blown away by his ability to handle BJ's guard. He sat in it and threw bombs, he passed it like it was nothing and held side control...he just generally showed no respect for one of the most dangerous guards in the world, and BJ had no answer. That changed the fight completely...BJ lost his mental edge right there, and it was all over for him. When he finally got up his hands were slow, his footwork was gone, and Georges teed off on him (and took him down at will). The 3rd and 4th rounds were ugly.

The rest of the card was a little dissapointing. Silva/Machida was pretty entertaining...Silva played right in to Machida's hands, and Machida showed just how good he is at what he does. Diaz/Guida was fairly entertaining too, but Diaz got robbed.

You are right, it is unfair to say he didn't land any hits, but that is how most will remember it. BJ did connect on a couple of decent combos, but from the first round this fight really just looked like BJ was in survival mode. I really hope Sean Sherk was watching and taking notes. Sherk is actually big enough to run with the WW's (unlike BJ) and has to work very hard to cut enough weight to fight as a LW. Although, I think Sherk is the only one likely to unseat BJ anytime soon in the LW division.

I agree the Silva/Machida fight was good. But I have one question, when are fighters going to realize the Machida is a defensive/counter attack fighter and stop chasing him around the ring? I'm not taking anything away from him, he is great, but fighters need to stop handing him exactly what he wants.

The Diaz/Guida fight was decent. Any fight with Clay Guida in it is always going to be at the very least entertaining. When the fight was over and we were waiting for the results I told everyone at my house that Guida was going to win by split decision. It was close, but Diaz just never really got much going overall. I mean he had a few good counters and almost switched a few things on Clay, but overall Guida had control through most of the fight. It was close though.

[VR6ofpain]

I need to see this event when it is free. I knew GSP would own BJ. Just as said previously GSP is ripped to death. BJ is barely built. With that said, BJ still seems to be pretty powerful considering he doesn't look it. Must be a Hawaiian thing or something.

I think Machida is awesome. No one else in mainstream MMA fights like that guy. His karate is serious and he is very entertaining to watch fight. I loved his fight against Tito Ortiz.

Two more rematches I want to see (on the WEC side of things):
Faber vs. Mike Brown
Cerrone vs. Varner

I am also looking forward to the March 1st card with Mike Brown vs. Leonard Garcia. That should be pretty interesting. I figured if Mike Brown keeps his belt, they will likely have Faber fight him again.

[TimmyBoston]

BJ is outstanding as a lightweight I don't there is anyone who can challenge him in his division, but GSP (or Van Damme :biggrin: as prefer to call him) is just in a different class. He's a true welterweight, Penn's not. Penn just can't compete, I really hope there won't be a 3rd match, it would be a disgrace. There are so few guys who can compete in multiple weight classes. Can you image GSP trying to go up to 185? Silva'd kill him. BJ: Keep your belt, and stick with the lightweights.

[Sullybob]

I agree the Silva/Machida fight was good. But I have one question, when are fighters going to realize the Machida is a defensive/counter attack fighter and stop chasing him around the ring? I'm not taking anything away from him, he is great, but fighters need to stop handing him exactly what he wants.

I think that this is what has happened to Chuck Liddell. Everyone knows he is a counter puncher so they don't play into his game. They make him come to them with disastrous results for Chuck.

[SRock]

I think that this is what has happened to Chuck Liddell. Everyone knows he is a counter puncher so they don't play into his game. They make him come to them with disastrous results for Chuck.

I agree Chuck survived and successfully defended his title almost exclusively by running away and being a counter puncher. That is in fact how/when I started losing interest in him as a fighter.

[texcattlerancher]

I agree Chuck survived and successfully defended his title almost exclusively by running away and being a counter puncher. That is in fact how/when I started losing interest in him as a fighter.

Outside of Matt Hughes's run as champion, I used to think Liddell was the most dominant fighter in any weight class. Not so anymore. I haven't watched enough MMA of late to know who might be the most dominant current fighter. It might be GSP.

[Redig]

Outside of Matt Hughes's run as champion, I used to think Liddell was the most dominant fighter in any weight class. Not so anymore. I haven't watched enough MMA of late to know who might be the most dominant current fighter. It might be GSP.

Fedor, Silva, Torres, GSP I would say are the top 4. I can't decide on my number 5. Faber would have been up there but he caught that elbow. Miguel Torres is the best fighter nobody knows...guy is just sick.

[SRock]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/mma_experts/post/Did-GSP-s-corner-cheat-to-give-him-an-edge-?urn=mma,138156

Doesn't matter GSP won and dominated. He was too much for BJ. Besides the area and amount that the guy could have applied wouldn't have made the difference in a fight BJ clearly lost.

I think the corner man should be sanctioned or barred.

Thoughts?

[Sullybob]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/mma_experts/post/Did-GSP-s-corner-cheat-to-give-him-an-edge-?urn=mma,138156

Doesn't matter GSP won and dominated. He was too much for BJ. Besides the area and amount that the guy could have applied wouldn't have made the difference in a fight BJ clearly lost.

I think the corner man should be sanctioned or barred.

Thoughts?

I agree with every thing you wrote. Phil Nurse should know better. GSP doesn't need any advantages.

I think that Wanderlei Silva was one of the most dominate fighters. He destroyed guys in pride. The other guys mentioned are all great dominate fighters also.

I think the Chuck Liddell is the most dominate fighter the UFC has ever had. Only counting UFC fights.

[King of Kailua]

I think the corner man should be sanctioned or barred. Thoughts?

I'd say suspended for the next bout at least and some kind of sanction on GSP's organization. Penn has a right to call foul on that one, but it's small potatoes in regards to the outcome. I remember watching GSP's corner man wiping his shoulders and chest and I thought that was kind of weird looking. It didn't look like he was loosening up tight muscles. It was obvious to me he was being lubed up.

[VR6ofpain]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtcYUfgz8j8

[SRock]

I'd say suspended for the next bout at least and some kind of sanction on GSP's organization. Penn has a right to call foul on that one, but it's small potatoes in regards to the outcome. I remember watching GSP's corner man wiping his shoulders and chest and I thought that was kind of weird looking. It didn't look like he was loosening up tight muscles. It was obvious to me he was being lubed up.

I agree, there needs to be something. But it wouldn't have changed the outcome.

[TimmyBoston]

I think they are blowing this situation out of proportion so that the UFC can market a 3rd fight between Penn and GSP. I think Penn is sick of being with the lightweights, because they aren't taken as seriously as the other divisions so he desparately wants to move up with the welters, but doesn't want to fight his way through the division like he did years ago.

In terms of someone fighting in a couple divisions, I really want to see Anderson Silva taking on some top guys at 205.