What GSP Can Learn from BJ Penn

Let me start off with full disclosure—I am a huge Georges St-Pierre fan. The guy has been a great poster child for the sport. He is classy, hardworking, and he dominates a very deep welterweight division.

GSP vs. BJ Penn II was a fight I was really looking forward to. I think the UFC Primetime videos were epic. Who can forget BJ Penn telling GSP’s head trainer Firas to go… well you probably know the rest. The Primetime shows really helped to hype the fight and highlighted the differences between two great fighters. 

At the time, I really hated BJ Penn, I thought he was cocky, arrogant and lazy compared to GSP. 

Looking back however, my opinion has changed of Penn and I am beginning to realize that with Penn’s rededicated work ethic, it’s time for GSP to take a page out of BJ’s book.

With GSP thoroughly cleaning out the very best welterweights in the world, and with a huge underdog in Dan Hardy facing him next, GSP needs to be ready to challenge himself like BJ Penn.

Penn gets a lot of criticism for his attitude, but you have to admire a guy who talks that much smack and is willing to put himself on the line to back it up.  Sure, he may have been thoroughly defeated by GSP, but lets face it, the guy still deserves major credit for having the kahonas to step up and take on GSP. 

BJ Penn is not conservative with his fighting because he believes he can beat anyone and loves challenges. This has led many to say that he was foolish in stepping up and fighting men much larger than him. 

I tend to disagree because BJ is showing everyone exactly what he already knew; no one can touch him at 155. 

People love an underdog, and they love seeing someone great become a legend by proving naysayers wrong  GSP has utterly dominated so much that the UFC is going to have a very difficult time convincing fans that he has anymore challenges left at welterweight. 

Is a rematch with Jon Fitch or Koschek really going to get a rabid MMA fan’s blood pumping? 

It’s time for GSP to make the next step and start his climb at middleweight and perhaps eventually light heavyweight. 

The fact is what does GSP have to lose? 

He has nothing left to prove at welterweight, and fighting a few times at middleweight in preparation for taking on Anderson Silva will do nothing to tarnish his legacy if he ends up losing to the Spider. 

I honestly think that BJ Penn wouldn’t hesitate to take on Anderson Silva if asked, and this is an attribute I admire because the guy has supreme confidence in his ability and won’t back down. 

I just hope that after Dan Hardy gets his beat down, GSP insists on moving up in weight to keep fighting the best.