Why do people think so highly of B.J Penn?

Question

His record isn't all that great and I think that he's an okay fighter. Whats the big deal about him?

Answer 1

okay, everyone has their own opinion but the fact is that you can put any Light Weight or Welter Weight out there in front of him and B.J. will be a bad match up for him. He is technically sound all around, his hands are over looked because of his sick jui jitsu. If he spent time on his conditioning and didn't rely soley on his talent then he would be unbeatable in my eyes. Oh yeah and he dominated his debut in MMA and not only did he dominate his debut, his debut was in the UFC.. Who does that? oh yeah and after he dominated the Light Weights he went over to the Welter Weights and choked out Matt Hughes.. I think thats enough said.

Answer 2

He's 11-4-1. What's so bad about that? BJJ World Champion, and beat the world champion before him without breaking a sweat.

His MMA losses:

Matt Hughes: He beat him once before, and broke his rib in the rematch while trying to put Hughes to sleep. He couldn't even pick his arms up in the third round.

Georges St. Pierre: One of the top 3 raw talents on the planet. On his way to becoming the best P4P in the world IMO.

Lyoto Machida: Fought this fight at 205. FIFTY POUNDS heavier than he is now. Went 15 minutes and lost a decision to an undefeated fighter, 50 pounds over his natural weight. Not really something you can use agaisnt him.

Jens Pulver: His 4th MMA fight, against a prime Little Evil, who was the 155 champ going into this fight. Jens tapped out to an armbar after the bell in the second round (even though it may have been to just get him off after the bell) before winning 3 straight rounds to win a decision. Destroyed Pulver in the rematch.

He had a draw vs. Caol Uno, but also visciously knocked him out in their first fight. He also holds a win over Takanori Gomi and Duane Ludwig. I don't know why he fought Machida at 205, but that and the GSP fight are his only unavenged losses. He took GSP to the limit, made Hughes look bad twice, and beat Gomi who is considered by many to be the top 155 in the world. BJ belongs in the discussion with the elite fighters.

Answer 3

I feel he's a great fighter that has risen to the top quickly in a "microwave" fashion. He bypassed many because of his talent. Unfortunately when the media gets on a band wagon and starts promoting in a certain fashion and "expectations" start getting set... then if they are not met it leads to media hype and let down. BJ Penn is an incredible fighter and losing to the likes of GSP and Matt Hughes is no shame. If I were him and could say I was 2nd or 3rd best, I'd wear that proudly. That's more then any typical bouncer at a club or "hot shot"/"cocky" MMA wannabe can say.

Answer 4

due to the fact that BJ Penn stop on his stool the final combat, I might say he has 0 threat. GSP has been coaching non quit from that combat, whilst BJ has been being Bj. I imply what different fighter have you ever noticeable simply stop? BJ Penn was once in a position to blow via a few persons whilst the UFC had much less ability. All he can do now could be opt for specific fights among the 2 weight categories that he has a threat to win.

Answer 5

Because he is the best pound for pound fighter in mma, when he wants to be that's the key when he wants to be. His hawiian laid back style has hurt his wantingness to be the best. Like the others said he can do things only some can dream off, Did you see GSP's face after their fight no one else has been able to do that regardless the fact that he lost, He was the first american to win the abu dabi bjj tourney plus he didn't ahve one point scored on him which has never been done before in the history of the tourney. IMO BJ could hold the light, welter and middle weight belts at the same time and no one else could come even close to that. His record looks like that because of his previous bouts with dana and the ufc.

Answer 6

BJ Penn is an amazing talent. He can do things with his body that I have never seen another fighter do.
However, his record is disappointing.
Like many gifted athletes he sometimes seems to rely on his talents and neglects his training.
When BJ Penn is at the top of his game I don't think that there is anyone who can beat him.
-rj

Answer 7

He is a great fighter. His record isn't great but his losses came at the hands of the best. He lost to GSP, Matt Hughes, and Jens Pulver. He will beat Joe Stevenson and win the lightweight belt next month.

Answer 8

Along with many of the good answers concerning him and his talent and athletic ability that are true I would add he does not fit the mold of your average fighter. He is not all pumped up and cut from hitting the weights. He literally looks just like an average guy who is going to get manhandled and killed out there but instead is the one that usually does the manhandling due to his natural talent and athletic ability. Along with that he trains and is from Hawaii and many people associate sunsets, ocean and vacations with that-not a place that has turned out one of the top pound-for-pound MMA type fighters in the world.

Answer 9

He is better than what his MMA record shows.

BJ Penn reached his BJJ black belt in about 3 years, it takes about 10 years to do that, he did so due to natural ability that's beyond normal.

BJ Penn abandoned his welterweight title (UFC) that he won when he beat Matt Hughes due to contract disputes, when he participated in k-1 kickboxing tournament ; here he proved to be a good striker.

BJ Penn has shown that when he's in good cardio shape he can be unstoppable, he beat Jens Pulver (who's not a pushover), with ease.

That being said, BJ Penn is a superb grappler, and a good striker, that's one tough cookie to beat.

Answer 10

I believe it bcz hes the youngest/fastest person to ever get a black belt in BJJ, hence the name "the prodigy". But as far as his fighting hes not the best pound for pound fighter at all like that idiot above said. He does have execellent control of his body and has some of the best take down defense in the fight game. I believe that randy couture even said that he had a real hard time trying to take BJ down.