The New Improved Version of BJ Penn, UFC MMA Warrior

As most MMA fans are aware, Jay Dee "B.J." Penn was born on Dec. 13, 1978 in Kailua, Hawaii, the youngest of five brothers all named Jay Dee.  Therefore he is often called "Baby Jay",  or BJ for short.

He is the second man to hold belts in two different weight classes in the UFC, with Randy Couture being the first, and currently is the UFC Lightweight Champion, ranked as being the number 1 Lightweight fighter in the world (by Sherdog and MMA Weekly).

His few losses have been to Lyoto Machida who choked him out in a fight at 205 pounds at K1 HEROS 3/26/05, Matt Hughes, Jens Pulver(6/23/07), and Georges St. Pierre.

BJ likes to avenge his losses and has done this against Jens Pulver after both of them coached in a TUF series 5 for the UFC.

In recent fights BJ has developed a new work ethic and trains now religiously with fighters who are at the top of their game and whom he may meet across the octagon in the future.  He has no qualms about doing so either, and indeed welcomes any challenge they would offer him.

Using new nutritional guides and "eating healthy natural foods" has not been easy for him, but at this point in his life he feels the sacrifice is a worthy one as it has helped him reclaim the fame that was previously slipping through the Hawaiian's fingers like the fine Hilo sands of his homeland.

After many jokes at his expense over the " baby fat" he never seemed able to lose he was pleased to show off his new six pack at his fight versus old nemesis Jens Pulver, thus proving the value of his sacrifices.

On the islands he is treated as an emperor by his brothers, buddies, and fans to the point that some would actually kneel before him to let him pose with his hand raised and one foot on their back in the classic pose of a conqueror.  How could the fact that your countrymen bow down to you not turn your head?

He used to be a well known party boy, but has largely given up the good life to pursue his future goal of securing the WW belt again, possibly by meeting former foe Georges St. Pierre in the much heralded and hoped for re-match sometime after UFC 87.  Should Jon Fitch triumph, the opponent will be different but the goal the same.

Penn has had Rush in his sights ever since he last met him in the ring on 3/4/2006 (USA vs Canada) and lost by a still hotly contested battle which Penn has never been able to get past.  Indeed it is such a thorn in his side that his camp and even Dana White had to constantly urge him to "focus" for fear that his meeting with Sean Sherk would not be foremost in his mind.  Still he persisted on dwelling so much on "getting even " with GSP, that even the London Sun reported after their interview that Penn had forgotten to make Sherk his priority leading up to their fight.

So now the fortunate, and possibly favorite son of a Hawaiian millionaire who has been raised in a luxurious tropical island paradise wanting for no luxury (the rest of us can only imagine), and followers who would make him a 'real' emperor if it was in their power to do so, will finally get a second chance at North America's reigning Welterweight champion Georges "Rush" St. Pierre.

As the old adage goes, "be careful for what you wish."