UFC 137: Five Reasons Why a GSP vs. BJ Penn Trilogy Makes Sense

Let's call a spade a spade: few fans and analysts have been impressed with two-time UFC champion BJ Penn in his past four fights. 

He lost the lightweight title to Frankie Edgar at UFC 112, and while the decision was controversial, "The Answer” soundly beat “The Prodigy" in the rematch at UFC 118.  

From there, Penn took just 20 seconds to knock out Matt Hughes in their rubber match.  

A win is a win, but at 37 years old, it was obvious coming in that Hughes was no longer one of the most dominant welterweights of all time.  

Most recently, Penn fought to a draw with Jon Fitch at UFC 127; a fight Penn was winning through two rounds but then got absolutely dominated in the third and final round. 

So with all that in mind, why would anyone endorse a trilogy with Georges St-Pierre?  

The reigning welterweight champion has seemed untouchable for years now, while Penn seems to be slowing down at least a little bit.

Here are five reasons why this fight still not only makes sense, but is also worth watching.   

1. BJ Penn vs Nick Diaz Is a Title Eliminator Bout

At UFC 137, BJ Penn v. Carlos Condit was supposed to be a title eliminator bout, with the winner to face the welterweight champion sometime next year, whether it is Georges-St. Pierre or Nick Diaz.  

Because Nick Diaz refuses to attend press conferences, the fights have now been switched to Penn vs. Diaz and GSP vs. Condit.  

While Dana White has gone on the record saying, "He will never trust Nick Diaz again," there is no reason to think that Penn will not be the number one contender with a win here.  

Not to say that Diaz is a pushover, or even that he can't win this fight, Penn has been in fights of this magnitude many times before while the Cesar Gracie Jiu Jitsu standout has not.  

Also, Penn's strengths (boxing and BJJ) are Diaz's strengths, which could pose a problem for Diaz as he is usually either the better striker of better fighter on the ground heading into a match up.

Taking one, or possibly both, of these advantages away from him would put him in a precarious situation. 

Penn vs. Diaz should be a fight that is competitive and fun to watch, but many folks would put their money on Penn in this one now.   

2. People Would Pay to See GSP vs Penn III

Some fans complain that they don't want to see GSP beat up BJ for a third time, but they seem to be forgetting two things: 1. Many felt the decision of the first fight was a poor one and 2. The second fight had a huge controversy surrounding it.  

Let's stick with the first point for now, Penn managed to bloody and batter GSP in their first meeting at UFC 58.  

In fact, many reports afterwards indicated that GSP had to be hospitalized, while Penn went out for a night on the town.  

Is it ridiculous that "Rush" was ruled the winner of the UFC 58 main event? No, but if 100 unbiased fans were shown that fight again, odds are the majority would feel that Penn was the man who should've got his hand raised that night.  

Additionally, even if Penn is just destined to get battered by St-Pierre if a third fight comes to fruition, is the fight really so bad that people wouldn't order the pay-per-view? 

Absolutely not. 

These are two legends of the sport; two of the very few active fighters that are shoe-ins for the UFC Hall of Fame.

Whether it's through your cable provider or by paying for drinks and food at the bar, an overwhelming majority of fans would shell out some cash on Penn vs. GSP III, whether they care to admit it or not.   

3. Did Everyone Forget About Grease Gate?

If my some absurd chance you've never heard of Grease Gate, it's the assertion by BJ Penn that GSP "greased," or had Vaseline applied to his body, in between rounds of their fight.

Some have shaken off the claim as ridiculous, while others think the accompanying photo is more than enough evidence.  

Personally, this writer does not believe that GSP greased in this fight or really in any fight during the course of his career, but the fact that so many fans accept it as truth does make a lot of sense.

Penn vs. GSP I was a closely contested fight where both fighters had the upper hand at times.  

Conversely, Penn vs. GSP II saw the two have an evenly paced first round, but then the St-Pierre just beat the tar out of Penn for the subsequent three rounds before the Hawaiian's corner threw in the towel.

The fact that the first round was up for grabs and St-Pierre just tore Penn apart from there certainly does give the greasing theory some legs.  

Additionally, UFC President Dana White said after the fight, "George is in trouble with the commission," and BJ Penn asked the California State Athletic Commission to give a "comprehensive investigation" of St-Pierre.

A detailed video regarding the details of Grease Gate is available on YouTube, but bear in mind the video was made from a contributor from BJPENN.com: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvk5kp7sRHw  

2. Who Else Is Left at Welterweight

Assuming GSP gets past Carlos Condit safely (no pun intended), who else remains to fight at 170 pounds? 

To be realistic, the only new fighter who could possibly pose any sort of challenge to St-Pierre is Jake Ellenberger, and that is only if he gets past Jake Shields on September 17.  

That's a big if, and even then, Ellenberger would probably still be a fight away from a title shot. 

Veterans like Anthony Johnson and Martin Kampmann, as well as prospects like Rick Story and Rory MacDonald, could be near the top of the welterweight ladder someday, but they are all several big wins away from a title shot.  

Fans need to accept the fact that Diaz vs. GSP may never happen do to Nick's "My way or the highway attitude," and Diaz would no longer be a real title contender if he lost to Penn anyway.   

1. Hyping the Fight Would Be Easy

Penn got screwed the first time around.  

Was Grease Gate fantasy or reality?

Is GSP invincible? 

Is BJ Penn still an elite UFC fighter?

It's not hard to think of some of the questions folks would be asking if Penn and St-Pierre met for a third, and almost definitely final, time.  

All of these questions and concepts are intriguing and make for some quality build up for a title fight.  

If Penn loses, that was supposed to happen, and if GSP loses, it's one of the biggest upsets of all time.  

Is there really a need to say anymore?