UFC 101: BJ Penn Bounces Back, Defends His Lightweight Belt

In a piece I wrote a few months back, I blasted BJ Penn for failing to show up against Georges St. Pierre. Well now, apparently after the defeat to GSP, he's starting to wonder, "After nine years of fighting...what the heck am I doing?"

That loss was the wake-up call he needed. With the detractors, doubters and naysayers bringing up the question, the Prodigy from Kailua answered with a fourth-round victory over Kenny Florian at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pa.

His performance sums it all up: the Master still has it.

A round-by-round recap:

In the first round of five, Penn looked to take his time, making his first move within the first thirty seconds. Florian was able to escape, though. In the second minute of this round, some blows led to a kick by Florian late.

However, Penn went back to pressing for a submission hold in the third minute. Another kick from Ken-Flo. Now he puts on a hold. Penn's takedown defense prevails. Another leg kick from Florian. Here comes Ken-Flo with a takedown attempt. Penn escapes. And now he strikes late. Good knee kick from the Hawaiian Prodigy.

Florian missed that roundhouse, and Penn countered. This round should go to him. I'm impressed by his bouncebackability.

In the second round, Florian goes through with a leg kick. And he goes with a hold. A few jabs, and Penn escapes. In the second minute, Ken-Flo tries it again. Can his perseverance result in him winning this round? Penn escapes, and back to center. Again Florian is not connecting on those punches. A learning experience that is priceless.

The commentators at UFC are questioning if Penn is prepared, and he respond with some strikes. Florian escapes, but he still cannot connect. It's leg kicks vs. punches and ground-&-pound.

In spite of his lack of effort, I'm giving him this round. Twos and threes, please, says his trainer, Mark Del Grate.

In this third round, Florian tries to be cute, but waits. Penn, meanwhile, looks for a time to strike. The UFC commentators seem to agree. Ken-Flo now with a hold.  Florian add some body shots to put the pressure on Penn, who tries to hold him off. Florian catches Penn with some leg kicks.

Penn now makes his move, but Florian escapes. Those punches have been helping him, but here's Kenny again with a hold. And Penn counters with a flurry of punches. He should get this round based on punches landed.

On my scorecard, it's two rounds to one Penn. Let's see who responds in the fourth round, the first of two championship rounds.

Florian's getting bit careless, but he kicks back. He's taking some risks, while is countering back with jabs. The fans here like Penn. On his his shirt it says "Pen State" of mind.

And here he goes, with a submission hold. We had to wait three rounds and a minute, but here he goes. BJ is still in Florian's half-guard. And it looks like he will keep his belt...and he does. A chop-up.

Very disappointed by Florian's performance that round. But it is sweet redemption indeed for the man from Kailua.

BJ Penn, you have seen the results that come from waking up from that mess that was the Georges St. Pierre fight. Do us all a favor and leave the Octagon on your own terms. Your performance tonight  in the city of Brotherly Love shut just about all the critics up.

And for some...happily.