On January 31st Georges St. Pierre defends his welterweight belt against current lightweight champion BJ Penn at UFC 94. This fight is a rematch that will have far reaching implications for not only the UFC's future super fights but also for the world pound for pound rankings.
The hype for this event began before the fight agreements were signed or an event was scheduled. When the fight became official the UFC marketing machine went into overdrive promoting this fight ahead of not only UFC 93 but the star studded UFC 92 as well.
The hype machine hasn't stopped at least for BJ Penn who has upped the ante when it comes to self promotion and interactive websites. If you haven't been to BJPenn.com do it now and experience what I'm talking about. Even if you don't like him as a fighter you'll appreciate the multimedia MMA buffet he's laid out.
While watching episode six of the BJPenn.com Show on his website which included him getting sprayed down with fake sweat, sprinting for twenty feet for the camera, and diving into a lagoon to carry a rock out from its depths I wondered, "When is Penn legitimately training?"
Its a fair question. Sure he has video of his gym workouts and sparring and grappling sessions online but all this video can't be taken on the first take. Also as the MTV Cribs-esq BJPenn.com Show has progressed Penn is out and about posing on the beach or surfing more than training.
GSP on the other hand has virtually dropped off the face of the planet providing only a few quick video interviews where it appears he's been interrupted mid training session. I'll admit I have a bias for GSP but you can't question his approach to training and focus for his fights.
January 31st will answer many questions but depending on the outcome it may pose just as many such as can a videoblogging schedule be blamed for a loss?
31 comments Last one added 5 months ago — Leave a Comment
Flyin' Hawaiian 5 months ago
I wouldn't take what you see on the BJPenn.com show too seriously. BJ is a world class athlete, and he knows better than we do what makes a good training camp. Sometimes I wonder what type of training he does, and we only really catch a glimpse of it during the actual PPV, when they do the 2-minute preview right before the main event. BJ says he does intensive training something like 5 hours a day, 6 days a week. What we see online is a 20-second clip. That's a lot of training that goes on behind the scenes.
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Nate Double 5 months ago
I was hoping you would chime in on this.
I agree that we're only seeing a glimpse of what BJ is up to but since he's releasing a new BJPenn.com Show every week there is substantial time being dedicated to it. For this being a fight BJ wanted so badly I'm just surprised to see all this other "stuff" going on. I just don't want the quality of the fight to be effected by these distractions.
Since I think you live in Hawaii, does his show air at 2AM in between infomercials or is it on at a primetime slot?
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Flyin' Hawaiian 5 months ago
I actually don't live in Hawaii, but my friend says it's on local TV Saturday and Sunday nights.
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Brian Oswald 5 months ago
Is the element of talent over hard work still there? BJ is like that naturally smart kid in school who didn't really have to study and still got an B+ or even an A-
GSP on the other hand is the kid that busted his ass studying so that he could keep his scholarship. He was going to do whatever it took to make the dean's list.
I am not saying Penn doesn't train hard and that GSP isn't naturally gifted but maybe they are coming from two different corners. Another angle that makes it intriguing if you buy it.
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Flyin' Hawaiian 5 months ago
That's a good way of putting it. That was definitely the case in the past, but I honestly think that BJ is now the super smart kid who wants a 4.0. When talent finally meets desire, you have a dangerous fighter on your hands.
As far as the training goes, I trust everyone is gonna watch UFC Primetime: St. Pierre vs. Penn on Wednesday night. I hear it's supposed to be spectacular. According to the producers, anyone who watches (UFC fan or not) is gonna either be a BJ or GSP fan by the end. I think we're gonna get a pretty good look at each camp, and see how each guy is preparing. I'm pretty psyched.
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Nate Double 5 months ago
The UFC Primetime adds the picking of sides element to the fight which should equal more PPV buys. The De La Hoya/Pacquiao 24/7 HBO specials were awesome and got me pumped up for a fight that was mostly hype. I hope UFC Primetime is just as well done.
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Dorothy Willis 5 months ago
I disagree with Mr. Oswald's assessment of BJ Penn as a student. I see him being doted on for his angelic little kid attractiveness and let off the hook for everything. He appears to me to be an ADHD student with a short attention span who flits from one thing to another.
His only focus appears to be his grudge against Georges--that has been a constant now for years and is BJ's obsession.
In light of BJ confessed laziness in the past regarding his training, I would imagine that with his rich parents and doting family, he figured he could sit his education out and that it would not be relevant to his success in life. Also, I am unaware of him ever attending college.
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Jaime Moreno 5 months ago
Christ all mighty, please stop Dee. I'm starting to think that you really hate BJ and there is no room in your busy life for hate. It's becoming annoying. Please never evaluate someone without meeting them.
What many fell to realize is that BJ is the best hype man in the MMA world. He has the ability to make every fight he is in the biggest fight in the history of MMA, yet so many people dislike him.
Did anyone really think Sean Sherk was gonna beat BJ? NO, yet BJ made that fight a must watch event, at the end of the day I promise even GSP is going to have so much love for BJ when his huge bonus off of the PPV buys comes in the mail.
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israel mean 5 months ago
Sorry Dee im gonna have to disagree with your assesment of BJ Penn. Do you really think that someone named the Prodigy suffers from ADHD? Mastering a Martial Art isnt something that happens over night, it takes years of dedication, dicipline, and focus. Before you label this fight a grudge match for BJ, please consider the resaons why Dana White put this fight together. GSP and Penn are both fighters that have a huge fan base coming from Canada and Hawaii. Also this fight is making history in more ways than one adding to its superfight status. Its obviois that both fighters and dana white wanted this fight because they all know everyone wants to see it and its going to make them $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
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Dorothy Willis 5 months ago
Israel, my Lord! One might think you signed onto B/R just to give me grief. I have a son with ADHD and found karate to be ideal for him and it helped him focus. I will not change my opinion b/c I am a student of human behavior and BJ's behavior screams ADHD at me. Now don't make me take up teaching in Hawaii to investigate this matter. And do not insult my intelligence by inferring that a person can be an idiot savant and excel at an art which much more intelligent people cannot. A person can have ADHD and be athletically inclined; in fact that is the way many young men save face when getting great grades eludes them.
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Alabama Voodoo 5 months ago
I have ADHD and I am athletic and somewhat smart...when I focus. Some of the most talented people in the world i.e. musicians, fighters, atheletes, actors, political figures, religous leaders and etc. have some form of ADHD in other words they suffer from boredom as well seeking a real challenge.
This fight thrills me because they both are amazing warriors.
- Voodoo
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Flyin' Hawaiian 5 months ago
This is true. I was diagnosed with ADHD in 7th grade, and I've always done well with martial arts and other sports. Being too focused when it comes to martial arts is a bad thing, because you let your brain override your muscle memory. Fighting is all about reaction and muscle memory, and doing things automatically without having to stop and think. I know other guys with ADD/ADHD who stop taking their Ritalin a few days before a tournament, and they do much better.
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israel mean 5 months ago
dorothy, one might think that enjoy passing judgement on BJ Penn. When I simply state facts that conflict with your opinions you take it as an insult.
looks like grandma doesnt like the taste of her own medicine. ;p
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Nate Double 5 months ago
Ok time to steer this discussion back on track.
1. Do you think Penn's media prowess is detrimental to his training?
2. If Penn loses and cites "focus" or "media commitments" as the reason do you think it will be a legitimate excuse?
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Flyin' Hawaiian 5 months ago
1. I don't think so. Guys like Kobe Bryant and Tiger Woods are in the spotlight far more than BJ. If you were to ask 100 people if they're familiar with Kobe and Tiger, 100 of them would say yes. Maybe 25 would say yes to BJ.
The fact is, BJ has a webmaster who puts BJPenn.com together for him. If BJ were to do all the coding himself, then it would be way too much. But all BJ really does is let a cameraman follow him around a few times a week, and then other people take care of the rest. BJ has more than enough time to let a camera follow him around a few times a day.
2. BJ won't use those as excuses if he loses. He's been saying all along how focused he is for this fight. He isn't committed to anything as far as the media goes, he just does it because he can. Having a 15-minute long show once a week isn't a big deal.
Bottom line, BJ trains 30 hours a week. On the BJPenn.com show, we see about 2 minutes of that. That's 29 hours, 58 mins of training we don't see. I think it's a non-issue. If BJ loses, it'll be because GSP was the better fighter that night.
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Bkilla 5 months ago
I really don't see how it couldn't affect it, whether it be a huge distraction or just a small one. HBO use to have a great 30 min segment on huge/exciting boxing matches where they would show everything that led up to the fight and then play highlights of the fight. They did one on Hagler vs. Hearns, and it fits your assesment of Penn vs GSP quite well. They showed how Hearns was seen working out in the middle of Vegas Casinos(I think the MGM) doing push-ups, and posing for the camera flexing. Where was Hagler?? No where to be seen. Hagler knocked Hearns out. Am I saying GSP will knock out Penn?? NO. Am I saying GSP's absence in the media probably means he is more focused and will be more well prepared? YES. Good article Nate.
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Joe Miles 5 months ago
Israel, It only took BJ two years to master it.
GSP is definitely the hard worker, because he has to be. The mental midget comes out in him and he crumbles. Whether it is tapping with one second left, or getting beat down by a unathletic shrimp that is Matt Serra. If Penn loses he will not be using that excuse. Penn is training harder than ever, he wont be coming in as a dough boy, he has already stated that he will be coming in lighter than 170, and with less than 8% body fat. I saw a pic of him a few weeks ago, and he already looks to be in great shape. He will be faster, stronger, and overall the best fighter he has ever been. Either way, this is a tough fight to debate about, because of all the nuthugging going on. Myself included.
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Alabama Voodoo 5 months ago
This is going to be an amazing fight. I was a BJ Penn fan long before I jumped on the GSP bandwagon and now I am only hoping for an amazing fight with the winner earning it in a TKO or knockout late in the fight. Either way if it goes the distance I presume it will be hard to judge because these guys can flat out fight and I suspect they will both be more prepared for this fight than they ever have been before.
I can't wait to see this fight!
- Voodoo
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Flyin' Hawaiian 5 months ago
I'm obviously rooting for BJ, but I just wanna see a great fight. I think either BJ is gonna submit him, or GSP is gonna win a decision. I'm not worried about GSP's striking or wrestling so much, it's more his pace that scares me.
As GSP says, "no one can 'andle my riddum."
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Todd Jackson 5 months ago
Im extremely late to the party. But that quote has me laughing histarically in an office full of professionals. Im not supposed to be on the net. Thanks a lot. I love both these guys tremendously. That is what makes it such a great fight. As for BJ not focusing, I buy that. He may not be as focused in appearance as GSP, but no one can deny his desire for this fight. But one has to remember this is a guy who put little to no dedication into his training and still won UFC gold years ago. Even if he is not training like GSP, or as dedicated, it is his lifestyle and his world he is living in down there. He was interviewed and said something to the effect that he is breaking regular training rules, and theories. He started training months ago so he was naturally prepared as opposed to recently prepared if that makes sense. He said when he feels like he is peaking he take a few days off and chills out, then gets right back to training. I dont even know where I saw this but it made sense. Overall, comparing the work ethic of the two isnt really relevant. Its no mystery. Its the core talent of these men that will dazzle us. At this point, the training is important, but the mental state of the fighters will make the most difference from where I sit. Being mentally prepared on your own terms is different for everyone. BJ knows what he is doing for himself is right, as does GSP.
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Flyin' Hawaiian 5 months ago
You gotta love the French Canadian accent. That, combined with the whole English as a second language things results in some pretty funny quotes. Before the Matt Serra fight, GSP was essentially trying to say "I don't wanna be an ass kisser." But it came out, "I don't want to lick any butt." That one was near the top of the list for best MMA quote ever.
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Danas Lil Slave GG U 5 months ago
You should have added a poll - answer is:
HYPE
Just like De la Hoya - BJ's fighting skills will be over-hyped & under-delivered come January 31
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Jen Aniano 5 months ago
Man I would not question BJ Penn's work ethics. He is one of the top ten best well-rounded fighters out of any organization, so we cannot question how hard he trains or when he does it. building hype around your fight persona is just part of the game and part of getting a bigger pay check. More power to Penn for being an excellent fighter and for being able to build character at the same time.
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Nate Double 5 months ago
Fair enough, and thank you for the response. My reason for writing this article was that we don't often hear about MMA fighters being overwhelmed by the media. Rich Franklin talked about the craziness of the commitments when he fights in OH but by and large MMA athletes don't get the attention basketball, football, and baseball stars do.
Penn has upped the ante and pushed the issue of his celebrity, which is legit. I just wonder if he's setting himself up to be drained when everyone comes calling because he's putting himself out there so much.
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Flyin' Hawaiian 5 months ago
I agree. However, calling BJ one of the 10 most well-rounded fighters in MMA is a huge, huge understatement. Top 2 is more like it.
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Derek Bolender 5 months ago
I have no doubt that Penn works his ass off in the gym.
He's just one of many now who have a web site, sell gear, have video blogs, myspace pages, whatever. All these guys accumulate sponsors, money, attention to their gyms, and promote the sport in general and their events.
There are methods to the madness and it's all about promoting BJ Penn the brand or GSP the brand or whoever.
Also, the UFC does a great job of promoting stars into superstars but they don't do a good job of promoting up and coming guys into stars. Jon fitch and lyoto machida come to mind. If these guys could go back in time and use these outlets to self promote maybe they would have gotten title shots sooner, who knows.
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Stoker Mac 5 months ago
I AGREE WITH NATE DOUBLE..if too much time is concentrated on other things ..Penn will pay the price!!..and not just Penn, any fighter..look what happened to LennoX Lewis when he was making "Oceans Eleven" and not training for Rahman...Hasim knocked his ass out..
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Nate Double 5 months ago
Like Dana White said last night on UFC Primetime...
"BJ get your $%#&ing ass back in the gym"
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Charlie Shin 5 months ago
5 hours a day for a six days in a week. Does that sound like the training for the biggest fight of your career? What does he do when he is not training? Media? Part of the game? Learn to live with it? I think he learned to not just live with it, but to love it. If a fighter has 3 hours to devote on media hype and waving hand signs, he should use that time to train even harder, regardless his skills. You don't see Tiger Woods slowing down with his practice. He is starting to remind me of Mike Tyson. Maybe not the same lifestyle, but more like in common of the talent that could've been. Talent and opportunity thrown out the window. There's way too much distraction for a fighter before a big fight. To me, if he doesn't perform as he should, that's the third strike! If he loses this fight, he will be so devastated, I don't think he'll ever be the same prodigy he once was. Please, prove me wrong. I am a seriously concerned fan.
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Nate Double 5 months ago
The media obligations are part of it but there is a big difference between going through with them for the sake of promoting the fight and not only going through with them but creating your own additional time demands.
Penn is a great self promoter (did you see that he is now selling car air fresheners in his likeness! Coconut scent!) but there are only so many hours in the day and if he is skimping on training, real rest, etc to do another take of whatever then he is only hurting himself.
After watching episode 1 of UFC Primetime Penn does look in shape and ready to go. I'm still picking the self built hardworking GSP over him though.
Thanks for the comment.
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Scot Reyes 5 months ago
I think many people that don't live in Hawai'i or in warmer climates get the idea of "What actual training is?" misconstrued, when observing BJPenn.com. I can understand how people who don't swim and surf in the ocean could think BJ isn't train when out playing in the ocean, however, swimming and surfing in he ocean and island natural pools are great cardiovascular and endurance training. It takes a lot of conditioning to surf. How many of people who are questioning BJ's training ethics have ever swam or surfed in the ocean. All of the best watermen and women who protect the communities that use the beaches as life guards and rescue one units from the United States, Austrailia, and New Zealand all train and stay in top condition by utilizing the ocean as their gyms. The oceans in Hawai'i have extremely strong top and under currents, some of these currents have the potential to pull someone 100 yard to 3 miles off shore. Surfers and open ocean distance swimmers face these conditions in the off shore waters every time they enter the water. They challenge themselves by making themselves strong enough to maintain their position and directions in the water.
Underwater rock running was created by Hawai'i's top lifeguards and watermen to train to survive big surf conditions, where they as big wave rider's have to face when they fall off their boards while surfing a big wave of over 40-60 ft high, being pushed and held down and compressed on the reef by millions of tons of salt water for 3-4 minutes of each continuous set of waves which crash just after the wave they fell of. BJ is rock running underwater to build lung capacity, cardio endurance, and total body strength. Whether the depth is 6ft or 30ft, rock running is extremely hard and taxing on the body. If you've never done it, you'll never know. Top olympic swimmers have adapted this training technique in the pools they train in to increase their breath per stroke ratio and lung capacity efficiency.
So when a viewer from the middle of Canada or the Midwest, who has no idea about open ocean training and ocean conditioning, see's a picturesque video shot of BJ coming in from surfing 3-5 foot sets off the shores of Hawai'i, all they have in their minds is, "What's up with BJ Penn goofing around and playing in the ocean just before his fight with St. Pierre?" They pretty much don't get the whole picture or understand what BJ is doing for his training. In fact, I wouldn't doubt BJ's coaches might have already asked him to cut the surfing out of his training because it can be so taxing on he body and with the huge ocean swells during this time of year-it can be down right dangerous. They might be having him pool swimming and swim sprinting to maintain his cardio fitness. So, the answer the question earlier most likely would be, "Watching BJ Penn play is watching BJ train." Well, most people who don't like BJ Penn think it's all about the hype. Well, maybe it is? "Is BJ doing this? Why isn't BJ doing that?" I don't think I've got BJ Penn figured out yet, and I'm a fan. I guess what you don't understand, could hurt you? As of late, BJ Penn has proven this point. He just might do it again.
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