March 4, 2006 UFC 58: USA vs. Canada, BJ Penn vs. Georges St. Pierre
It was the fight that stole the show that night, the fight everybody wanted to see, with an ending that left a lot of UFC fans questioning the decision.
"Rush" was destroyed on his feet in the first round of that fight, unable to take down BJ. At the end of the fight, St. Pierre's face looked like a battlefield while BJ had nothing at all.
Since that day, BJ Penn has improved his game and has dropped down to the lightweight division where he has dominated every fight and become champion.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Georges St. Pierre has also improved his game and has taken a different approach to his fights lately, using his wrestling ability to defeat his opponents. He has dominated the welterweight division and has become the division's champion.
Considered two of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, BJ seeks to avenge his loss and challenge St. Pierre in a rematch for the UFC welterweight title of the world.
In my opinion, BJ Penn would have beaten St. Pierre at UFC 58 if it hadn't been for his crappy cardio. Now in a rematch we have to look at how both fighters have evolved since the first fight, and I think both are better fighters than they were before.
St. Pierre utilizes his wrestling more, while BJ has probably the best takedown defense in the UFC. In my opinion, the rematch will depend on BJ Penn's cardio. He lost the first fight because of that and he'll lose the second too if he hasn't improved.
I don't think BJ Penn will be able to last five rounds with Georges. Even if BJ dominates round one, I think the outcome will be the same since I doubt BJ's cardio is any better.
But hey, anything can happen in MMA.
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2 months ago
BJ's cardio is undeniably better. It's been stated clearly in the MMA community that he is truly dedicating himself now. Other than that, I'd just like to mention that the reason GSP's face got so messed up was not so much because BJ was really dominating the stand up. The damage that made 'St. Pierre's face look like a battlefield' came from a grazing uppercut that hit the tip of GSP's nose and an incidental eye poke.
2 months ago
BJ is a baller, but GSP will win the rematch!
2 months ago
Agreed Robert, I watched their first fight many times, in the first round the damage was caused by the awesome eye poke of Penn and that grazing shot that broke his nose. Also, GSP was seeing double after the eye poke, he got hit more as a result. His vision came back the next round I believe.
See this extensive breakdown of the fight:
http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f2/extensive-breakdown-gsp-vs-bj-long-346969/
GSP simply landed more shots (although not by a whole lot) and took BJ down pretty much at will. (3 take-down)
St-Pierre won the fight fair and square, I can see the rematch being very similar. Hopefully BJ doesn't eye poke him this time.
My favorite quotes from BJ fans:
"BJ lost to Machida because of the weight difference"
"BJ got TKO'd by Hughes because he cracked a rib"
"BJ lost because of his poor conditioning"
No doubt BJ Penn is a great fighter. But we won't remember him for the ages to come, he will be stopped by GSP once again as he is served a title shot on a silver platter by the UFC.
BJ losing this fight will ensure he will be quickly forgotten after he retire. He will be remembered as the guy who could have been great but was too lazy/arrogant to truly make his mark and cement his legacy in MMA.
2 months ago
I predict GSP will take BJ down at will the whole time.
2 months ago
Hey you guys are getting me all wound up and ready for the fight snd it isn't until Jan. 31 and I will have turned 63 on the 6th. Oh my heavens! I will be an old lady by the time he fights BJ. Wow! Guess it will have to be a delayed birthday present, huh?
2 months ago
GSP will win a rematch in first round. GSP is exponentially better than he was when they fought the first time and BJ has slightly better cardio but is only marginally better fighter. I have watched the first fight and GSP won.
from about 1 month ago
The first round. That's an awfully bold prediction. Especially since GSP has only beaten one opponent in the 1st round, since fighting in the UFC. That opponent was Frank Trigg and he won via rear naked choke. Most of his fights go 2 to 3 rounds and that is partly due to the pace he likes to set for himself. His last fight against Jon Fitch went the distance. As bad as he beat up Fitch he didn't finish the fight.
In his last 12 fights Penn has only seen a fight ended 2 times in the first round. That was back to back wins over Matt Hughes and Duane Ludwig. 7 of those fights went to the 3rd round and 2 went 2 rounds.
So I'm curious what makes you think he will dispatch of BJ Penn so fast. I give GSP the edge but this fight will not end that quickly.
from about 1 month ago
Sorry to tell you Brian GSP also defeated Jay Hieron at UFC 48 in the 1st round.
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