UFC 118: Top 10 Moments of B.J. Penn's Career

Former UFC welterweight and lightweight champion B.J. Penn remains one of the rare gems in the world of mixed martial arts.

From winning the World Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championships in only three  years and being rewarded a black belt to showcasing some of the best boxing and takedown defense in the sport of mixed martial arts, B.J. Penn has earned his place amongst the sports elite.

For years, Penn would get by on being naturally talented until he fought the elite of the elite in the welterweight division and fighting former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida in the heavyweight division.  

After putting himself through a rigorous strength and conditioning program, Penn has found great results in the lightweight division by winning the title and having 3 successful title defenses before losing to Frankie Edgar.

These are the top 10 moments of B.J. Penn's career.

10. Becoming The First American To Win World Jiu Jitsu Championship

BJ Penn's bjj highlight

B.J. Penn is the first American to win the World Jiu Jitsu Championships as a black belt and managed to shockingly win in just 3 years.

Under the tutelage of Ralph Gracie he made it to purple belt and under the tutelage of Andre Pederneiras Penn earned himself a black belt in a total of three years.

Being a decorated grappler before getting into the sport of mixed martial arts, has served Penn well as he has made bjj black belts in Kenny Florian and Joe Stevenson look like they had never grappled before.

9. Defeating Din Thomas

Courtesy of the UFC

Date: 6/29/2001

Event: UFC 34

At the time, lightweight fighter Din Thomas was close to getting a title shot and had a win against the then lightweight champion Jens Pulver.

The fight would immediately catapult Penn into the lightweight ranks and in only Penn's second fight in the UFC, Penn knocked out Din Thomas in devastating fashion.

8. Defeating Jens Pulver In The Rematch

Date: 6/23/2007

Event: Ultimate Fighter 5 Finale

After coaching the 5th season of the "Ultimate Fighter" B.J. Penn and Jens Pulver were scheduled to lock horns once again.

Jens Pulver one the first fight at UFC 35 and successfully defended his lightweight title against Penn, but Penn was vocal about how he came close to finishing Pulver in that fight via armbar.

It was at the Ultimate Fighter Five Finale where B.J. Penn would erase his first loss in his mixed martial arts career after defeating former UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver by rear-naked-choke.

7. Defeating Japanese Legend Takanori Gomi

Rumble on the Rock 4: B.J. Penn vs. Takanori Gomi

Date: 10/10/2003

Event: Rumble on the Rock 4

Before Gomi was ranked the #1 lightweight in the world and established his dominance in Pride, B.J. Penn was became the second fighter to defeat Takanori Gomi.

At the time, Gomi was still amongst the best lightweights in the world being a former Shooto champion.

With this fight, Penn also became the first fighter to ever submit Takanori Gomi in MMA solidifying his place amongst the sports elite.

6. Losing To Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida

B.J. Penn vs. Lyoto Machida @ K-1 Hero's 1

Date: 3/26/2005

Event: K-1 Hero's 1

Some may wonder why the heck would I put a loss as a top 10 moment in Penn's career, but Penn in my opinion earned more respect in this loss than he did in some of the fights he won.

The fight between B.J. Penn and Lyoto Machida would take place in the openweight division.

Before Mauricio "Shogun" Rua nobody was able to figure out the former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida, and B.J. Penn despite giving up a tremendous amount in weight by fighting in the openweight division gave Machida one of his toughest fights in his mixed martial arts career.

Some people even believe that Penn won the fight, but regardless, Penn showed tremendous skills and proved why he's one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport.

5. Defeating Joe Stevenson For The UFC Lightweight Title

UFC

Date: 1/19/2008

Event: UFC 80

Perhaps one of the best moments in Penn's career, is when he defeated Joe Stevenson to finally capture the UFC lightweight championship.

At the time Joe Stevenson was one of the few lightweights in the UFC with a top 10 ranking and Penn clearly dominated Stevenson from bell to bell.

After Penn submitted Stevenson and bloodied him up, Penn added insult to injury by licking the blood off his gloves after the fight.

4. Defeating Matt Hughes For The UFC Welterweight Title

UFC

Date: 1/31/2004

Event: UFC 48

Penn's brightest moment in mixed martial arts had to be when he defeated Matt Hughes for the welterweight title.

After losing to Jens Pulver for the UFC lightweight title, many odds makers listed Penn as a heavy underdog, but on that night, Penn would shock the world.

After rocking Matt Hughes on the feet, Penn would take the back of Matt Hughes and submit him with a rear naked choke with just 20 seconds left into the opening round.

3. Losing The Rematch to St. Pierre For The UFC Welterweight Title

UFC 94

Date: 1/31/2009

Event: UFC 94

True champions come back from their losses and I believe it took the loss to St. Pierre in their rematch for B.J. Penn to truly open his eyes that you can't get by on talent alone.

Some people believe that St. Pierre greased throughout the entire fight, while others believe Penn was truly dominated.

However, while Penn was dominated in this fight, no one can deny after the loss to St. Pierre that Penn has taken his cardio and overall dedication to the sport to a new level.

2. Successfully Defending The UFC Lightweight Title Against Sean Sherk

UFC 84

Date: 5/24/2008

Event: UFC 84

Like Matt Hughes has said time and time again, "to be a champion, you must defend your belt."

Sean Sherk managed to lose his UFC lightweight title after finding nandrolone in his system after defeating Hermes Franca, but still many fans and critics believed him to be the champion of the lightweight division despite Penn's win over Stevenson.  

It was on this night that Penn would successfully defend his newly won lightweight title, and defeat the former champion Sherk by putting on a three round boxing clinic.

1. Defeating Kenny Florian After Losing to Georges St. Pierre

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - AUGUST 08: Lightweight champion BJ Penn (R) battles Kenny Florian during their lightweight championship title bout at UFC 101: Declaration at the Wachovia Center on August 8, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Get

Date: 8/08/2009

Event: UFC 101

At the time many people believed that Kenny Florian is the #2 lightweight in the world and was perhaps the most dangerous threat to B.J. Penn in the lightweight division with his lethal Muay Thai skills with a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt.

With dominant wins over Joe Stevenson, Roger Huerta, Joe Lauzon, and Din Thomas, it was very hard to dispute Florian as a top contender.

After Penn lost to St. Pierre, there were people who thought Florian would be able to take the title, but Penn wouldn't be deterred on this night.

Penn would dominate Florian on the feet and rock Florian on several occasions, and in the fourth round Penn took Florian down and became the first fighter in mixed martial arts to submit Florian.