BJ Penn Gets Some Love From Bruce Buffer

Did you guys know that Bruce Buffer has his own radio show?

It turns out the "Voice of the Octagon" is even more verbose than previously imagined. His radio show airs over "the internets" on the Sherdog Radio Network.

This Tuesday, he had on UFC royalty, in the form of his friend, BJ Penn. It was perhaps one of the strangest radio listening experiences I've ever had.

From the opening instant when Bruce Buffer said, "BJ , my brotha, how are you?" it became clear that the interview would be a friendly one.

But before I get into my thoughts on the interview, I'd like to provide you with some of the key quotations.

Buffer on the pool jump: "Everybody is dying to hear how you're feeling... we've all been watching this video of you on the internet... that's frigging amazing, very few people can do that... Is that because you're in such incredible shape right now, or what's going on?"

"Human beings weren't meant to do this BJ."

Buffer on Penn: "You do have the warrior heart, we all know that. You can call it the Hawaiian warrior heart, whatever you want to call it, believe me BJ, you can call yourself anything you want. But, you are definitely one of my favorites of all time."

BJ when Buffer asks Penn if he is going to keep fighting: Without a doubt, I'll be fighting again for sure.

Buffer response: "Yeah well you better be BJ, or I'm going to be bored to tears because I need you to stay in 155. That gets me going, coming out and announcing your name as you know. And that's how.. You think the 360 with Brock was one thing, but I always get into it with BJ, it's just my energy level, my passion, and my love for the man just gets me going."

BJ on post-fight trash talk and Brock Lesnar: That's how fighting makes you feel. You go in there and you're so passionate. It's the highest highs, and the lowest lows. There's nothing like the feeling of beating another man. You're so passionate and you say things you wish you didn't say, and people hammer you for it. As far as my personal feelings about Brock, you know I like him, I think he's great for our sport, and I think he's a great champ."

Buffer response: I absolutely I do agree with you. I do agree with you very much on everything you said.

BJ on the greasegate experience: I definitely have a different outlook on life. It's just crazy how the media portrayed me.. I just try to get the ball rolling. I'm still the same person, but as far as all these MMA sites, it's done. I don't like how they treated me these last few months, and really the only reason I'm on this show right now is because I love Bruce Buffer. You've always been there for me as just a good friend to hang out with. You know who I am Bruce. I'm a passionate person about a great sport, and that's what it is.

Buffer response: I know who you are BJ. That's a great way to put it. I'm always there for you, like I know you'd be there for me...

BJ on relationship with Sherdog: I guess some guys wanted to come out and film us, and we said, "Okay if you can produce one article that you've ever done that was positive about Penn, and Jeff Sherwood couldn't produce one article, so I guess we won't be doing those video interviews. I saw that pool jump (article) today that said... It didn't say anything about being in great shape or being a great athlete, but, if we happened to fall in water, it might help BJ with the Kenny Florian fight. We are the ones stepping into the ring and getting punched in the face.

TJ DeSantis:  ...I have nothing against you BJ, and you're always welcome on Sherdog...

BJ Response: Okay.

Buffer Mediates and Accommodates: What BJ is really saying is "I'm busting my (butt). I'm doing everything I can to give all of you the shows so your $49.95 comes back to you in spades. Show me some love, show me some respect. Journalists are journalists. This is a lifestyle show, and we're just on here to just promote BJ Penn right now.

Buffer on visiting Penn soon: I'm going to try to come down next Tuesday. If I can't make it down there for any reason please don't get upset. I'm doing everything I can to try to get down there. I want to see you in training camp. I may bring a camera BJ, but if I do, it won't be for Sherdog. it'll be for Bruce Buffer's Bufferzone.net site.

BJ saying goodbye: Okay, thank you Bruce, and TJ you take it easy.

TJ Desantis: Thank you BJ, we'll talk to you soon (gets cut off by BJ)

BJ: Okay.

I feel like my transcription is inadequate to flesh out the mood of this interview. It was, first and foremost, a love exchange between Bruce Buffer and BJ Penn.

Apparently, from the sounds of the interview, they are good friends. But if they are indeed as good friends as they say they are, it is quite an odd friendship.

I don't know about any of you guys, but if I ever told one of my friends that he gets me excited, and then I start to talk about him in the third person, my friend would probably think I was a little bit strange.

Other than that, the displays of affection and affirmation shown by Buffer took up more time than any discussion of any substance.

Anyway, other than that, there's a lot to take out of this interview.

1. BJ Penn is affected by the media. He reads it, and he reads articles about himself. Often times, when I write about sports figures, I do so without the thought that I might be hurting their feelings.  

But regardless of the moral questions, it is clear that BJ has been hurt by his media portrayal, whether or not he deserves it.

2. If you ever want to do an interview with BJ Penn, turn the flattery on now.  BJ Penn might just be reading your interview.

One thing that became clear, is that BJ Penn holds a grudge against many of the popular MMA sites, despite, them ranking BJ as the top 155lb fighter, as DeSantis pointed out.

It seems pretty obvious that while some sites may have been critical of BJ Penn's greasegate response, I thought the coverage was fairly balanced, and that generally, the media has been fair to BJ Penn.

I've been a little lax at writing positive articles about BJ lately, although a lot of that is due to his layoff since the GSP fight. Not that it matters. I think my Pool Jump Challenge article probably puts me out of the running for an interview with "The Prodigy."

There is still time for all you aspiring writers out there, though.  But if you are unsure of exactly what to do, just follow Bruce Buffer's example.

The link for listening to the whole interview is here.