|
|
UFC 118: Is BJ Penn Overrated? Facts Point to Yes
by JonathanSnowden on Aug 29, 2010 2:42 AM EDT
in UFC Editorial
BJ Penn was manhandled last night. Manhandled by a fighter most
experts consider too small for the lightweight division. Frankie Edgar
had his way with Penn, scoring on his feet and even taking down the man
who seemed in past fights to have uncanny balance and defense. Many
people were shocked by Penn's two losses to Edgar. Not me. Looking
carefully at Penn's career leads you to one conclusion-despite his
inflated reputation, the extraordinary BJ Penn is merely ordinary. The
raw numbers stand out like a sore thumb. In title fights, BJ Penn is a
pedestrian 5-5-1. For every big fight he wins, he loses one in turn. The
true greats of the sport, your Georges St. Pierres, your Matt Hughes,
your Frank Shamrocks, your Fedor Emelianenkos, are defined by rising to
the occasion. When the fights get tougher, these men only get better.
Not so with BJ Penn. BJ Penn is a front runner. We learned that
for the first time against Jens Pulver at UFC 35. Crowned as champion
before even stepping into the cage, Penn had no answer for Pulver's
heart and determination. When the fight got to the point where it
demanded each man expose his very soul to walk away the winner, Penn
faltered. Pulver stepped forward. That was the difference. From
that day forward the BJ Penn modus operandi has been losing the big
one. With the exception of upsetting Matt Hughes at UFC 46, the defining
fights of Penn's career have all been losses. Against St. Pierre twice.
Against Hughes in the rematch. And now, when confronted by a fighter
not afraid to test his mettle against Penn head to head, two losses
against Edgar. BJ Penn, when it is all said and done, will be
considered a disappointment. From the time, before his UFC debut, that
Frank Shamrock announced the "Prodigy" would be the greatest fighter of
all time until this latest loss to Edgar, Penn has little to show for
what should have been a legendary career.
|