B.J. Penn vs. Georges St. Pierre: Who are you taking?
This weekend's Georges St. Pierre-B.J. Penn bout is going to be a tremendous fight, one of the biggest the sport has seen. It’s rare that we get fights like this that match two superior fighters, both in their prime. There hasn’t been a fight this big since Randy Couture vs. Brock Lesnar, but this fight is a blockbuster for all of the right reasons.
Couture-Lesnar was a big draw because of Lesnar’s name recognition and because he has a strong following from his pro wrestling days. Couture is a legend in the sport and was making a comeback after his legal difficulties. Neither fighter was in their prime, and neither did anything truly remarkable that night. The fight gave credibility to Lesnar, but it was more of a curiosity than anything. No one knew what to expect from either guy, which is why it was intriguing. Penn-St. Pierre is intriguing because we have two terrifying (to borrow a phrase from Forrest Griffin) champions going head to head.
This is a tough one to call. St. Pierre took some shots from Jon Fitch and didn’t go down, but I still feel like Penn has a chance to knock out St. Pierre. Penn’s work ethic and focus is always a concern, but he should be ready for St. Pierre. Still, I feel like St. Pierre is the more complete fighter.
I think I’m going with St. Pierre in a decision but if Penn’s cardio isn’t an issue then this could easily go the other way.
What are you thinking on this one?
Kevin Richardson has been a fan of mixed martial arts competition ever since UFC 3, when 600-pound sumo wrestler Emmanuel Yarborough was beaten by Keith Hackney. Kevin will cover the world of MMA — in Baltimore, nationally and internationally. He plans to take readers into the locker rooms and MMA schools, where they'll hear from local fighters and trainers. If you have a news tip or suggestions for the blog, please 
Comments
i definetely think bj has this one in the bag. he is a warrior and has already lost once to pierre. ufc primetime gave him a bad rep on his training but give him a break, he just had a kid. bj used to beat people when he didnt train but now he is more dedicated than ever and im confident in him. George is a great fighter but bj has won four straight and looked great in those fights. I am taking penn by tko in 4th round. comment back
Posted by: Evan Neufeld | January 29, 2009 9:20 PM
These are both fantastic pugilists. However, while GSP may have grown a gas tank recently, I believe that GSP has evolved much more since his last match-up with BJ. His footwork is better; his wrestling skills have improved to rival the best in the world. I think that those abilities will allow him to dictate where the fight takes place, which will be greatly to his advantage. Additionally, as much as BJ claims that MMA is not about size and strength, there is a reason that weight classes are implemented. St. Pierre is a man who likely cuts weight from 200 Lbs or more to get to a monstrous 185. Look for St. Pierre start out fast and turn up the heat from there, intent on testing BJ’s new found stamina. I predict GSP will overwhelm Penn in the 4th round winning by TKO.
Posted by: John Hernandez | January 30, 2009 8:59 AM
GSP's size and strength will not matter in this fight BJ has fought up 2 weight classes before (Lyoto Machida) and did extremely well. I believe that BJ has many ways to win the fight while Georges has only one. BJ has never been knocked out or even knocked down in a fight. That will not change here , look for BJ to submit GSP in the third with a triangle from the bottom
Posted by: JohnnyRev | January 30, 2009 11:03 AM
Evan,
I think he's focused for this fight, my concern is him moving up a weight class. I know he's fought there before, but GSP is a big WW. His wrestling is better and I think he'll have a better gameplan.
Penn has better jiu-jitsu though and could also KO St. Pierre. It should be a great fight though.
Posted by: Mark Chalifoux | January 30, 2009 11:12 AM
I see this fight playing the same way the last one did. GSP will use his superior wrestling to control BJ on the ground. I expect BJ will win the first round with superior striking, but by the 'championship rounds' GSP's superior cardio will allow him to dominate.
Posted by: Hal | January 30, 2009 2:33 PM
Penn couldn't go through Hughes and GSP and had to move down weight class. So what makes you think Penn will win?
Posted by: Jon Fitch81 | January 30, 2009 3:23 PM
Mark, i agree with you about gsp and his wrestling skills. hands down he is a better wrestler but bj is one of the best in the world in catching you when you are not ready and he has a bjj black belt. if gsp isnt careful on the ground he will get caught. thats if this goes to the ground. look for bj to keep this fight on his feet. he throws the jab on a dime and he will slowly pick apart gsp. gsp is a great fighter but im going for the upset.Though gsp has quite the training group, look for bj to come into this fight hungrier than ever. he has to gain fifteen pounds, and yea that is a concern but he has done it before. Still 4th round tko by penn.
Posted by: Evan Neufeld | January 30, 2009 3:31 PM
"St. Pierre is a man who likely cuts weight from 200 Lbs or more to get to a monstrous 185."- St. Pierre cuts from around 188 lbs to fight at 170.
Posted by: Danny | January 30, 2009 3:56 PM
Lets start at the top - BJ ' in the bag? This is a classic & neither guy has it in the bag, thats what makes it.
Penn has better bjj so could get a knockout? please explain..
Penn was beaten by Machido. . so 'doing extremely well' aint going to cut it, and GSP's hunger & improvement will at least match BJ's.
GSP is huge - did i hear someone question his cardio?
Penn has been talking out his arse showing one thing, fear. He's afraid. That's not a bad thing but he shows concern, also lacks respect. For a man with his ability, he looks no more than a punk in interviews. "if he thinks Jon Fitch was the Terminator, hes going to think im God" - Penn on GSP after GSP described Fitch as the Terminator because "he kept coming back". what a dick.
and i couldnt split the numero uno comment - "GSP has only one way to win" *coughbullshitcough*
and - "size & strength wont matter in this fight"
well not if theyre playing chess.
GSP in the 2nd, I think he will be too strong - KO
Posted by: The Axeman | January 30, 2009 11:55 PM
BJ Penn will be...IS ready. I predict he will surprise a lot of you out there who talk about cardio being his downfall. NO. Hawaii's greatest MMA fighter IS ready. To steal a phrase from BJ, "just scrap".
Posted by: errol | January 31, 2009 1:39 PM
What did I say? First comment on this blog. Round 4 TKO. I didn't know that it was going to be so one sided though. Wow... So much for BJ having it in the bag, huh?
Posted by: John Hernandez | February 1, 2009 12:44 AM
That was embarrassing for Penn. Ouch, not even close, at no point was this fight even remotely in doubt and unfortunately you have to give it to the cardio. GSP has amazing cardio and everyone knows it, Penn on the other hand lost this fight in training (or lack there of) and only has himself to blame.
Posted by: Chuck | February 1, 2009 1:22 AM
4th Round mercy stoppage.
Penn was never in it - lets see how he swallows those 'razor blades' now.
Posted by: The Axeman | February 1, 2009 1:31 AM
UHM!!
OKAY BJ PENN MAY HAVE LOST BUT HE NEVER GOT TKO (TOTAL KNOCK OUT) CUZ
1. HE NEVER GOT KNOCKED OUT
2.HE DID GIVE UP BUT I BET NONE OF YOU KNOW THE REAL REASON WHY?
AND
3.ITS NOT BECUZ HIS TRAINING OR ANYTHING ELSE IF YOU GUYS ACTUALLY TRAINED WITH HIM YOUD ALL KNOW BUT YOU DIDNT SO SSSSSHHHHH!!!!
THEYRE BOTH TALENTED FIGHTERS AND NO MATTER WHO WON IT WAS A GOOD FIGHT AND THEY BOTH WORLED HARD TO EARN THERE SPOT IN (UFC)
Posted by: kuuipo | February 5, 2009 6:52 PM
To kuuipo:
TKO doesn't stand for 'total knock out', it stands for TECHNICAL KNOCK OUT. Also, the only one who worked hard was GSP, before the fight, and during. All bj did was survive, and by survive i mean he didnt die.
Posted by: Rob | February 11, 2009 2:48 PM