After reading the title of this article you are either laughing at how stupid you think I am, or nodding in agreement. B.J. Penn is known for two things, some of the best B.J.J in the game and gassing early. If only he had the heart of a Forrest Griffin he could be unstoppable. Penn is very beatable and Stevenson is a very viable opponent that can take it to him. These two men possess some of the best grappling that will be seen in the UFC. Penn is of course the better in that department, but I think Penn needs to watch out in this fight. You may think I am crazy, but I believe this for two main reasons; Penn gases early and Stevenson will be in great fighting shape. I also feel that Penn is overlooking Stevenson.
As far as being in shape, sure B.J. is in shape. He is in the type of shape that you need to ride a wave in Hawaii bro, but not the type of shape top step into a 5 round war with Joe Stevenson. Joe Stevenson is the second best conditioned fighter in this division. Turned out number one had some help (Sherk, if you live under a rock). If this fight does go past the normal 3 rounds Penn could be in deep trouble. Stevenson has decent hands, and Penn’s will be dropping. When his hands drop, he could be on his back looking at the lights. Another way his conditioning can hurt him, is to allow Stevenson to take him down, into a ground and pound situation. Either way if this fight goes deep, it could spell trouble for the greatest B.J.J artist in American History.
The main reason B.J. is getting beat tomorrow is because he is overlooking a great fighter in Joe Stevenson. Recently Penn has been on record in interviews that he is interested in fighting GSP. He is also interested in fighting Matt Hughes. Not one time in any of the prefight interviews or even the weigh-ins did Penn seem focused, or concerned about the gentleman that he is about to meet in battle. If he is over-looking Joe, then he could be in for a world of hurt! Joe Stevenson is 33-7, and has beat Melvin Guillard, Luke Cummo, and Kurt Pellegrino. Granted, that is not the likes of Matt Hughes, GSP, and Jens Pulver, but it is respectable competition. Joe Stevenson can fight, and will have nothing to lose to the former champion. If Penn overestimates Stevenson, it could bite him in his Hawaiian butt.
Yes, Penn will be the outright favorite, and probably should beat Stevenson very handedly, but that doesn’t mean he is unbeatable. B.J. Penn has just a few flaws in his game, but those are major ones. Especially since I feel he has no heart. Tomorrows fight will be a battle. It has the makings of one of the best grappling matches in the history of the UFC! The crowd will be pumped up, and the winner will be crowned interim champion for the 155 pound weight division. If B.J. did not train to fight 5 rounds, or if he is overlooking his opponent he could be in serious trouble, and we could have a Joe Stevenson versus Sean Sherk unification bout in the future.
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January 19th, 2008 at 3:29pm
I think you meant to say: “If Penn UNDERestimates Joe Stevenson.” You said “OVERestimates”.
Penn is the heavy favorite in this fight, and Stevenson is a “B” level fighter—very good, but not at Penn’s level. Penn might have a gassing problem, but it never reduces him from A-level to B-level.
Neither fighter is injured, and Penn had a great training camp.
Absolutely ridiculous to think Stevenson will upset Penn.
January 19th, 2008 at 4:02pm
Stamina is the name of the game in MMA when it comes to Jiu-Jitsu. Have you ever grappled for 5 minutes straight? It looks like both fighters want to go 25 minutes. That’s rough. I can’t make it for more than a few unless I’m up against someone who has never rolled before. Penn will need to be in the top shape because this will be a lot different than fighting someone who walks around under 155.
Thanks for comments! Anyone other thoughts?
January 23rd, 2008 at 8:43am
Here’s a comment after the fact. I know it is very convenient.
You feel Penn is overlooking Stevenson, on record he was taking this fight seriously. He also stated that he used to take many fights lightly but now he no longer will. His defeat to Hughes was his wake up call. In my humble 2 cents, it is obvious that Penn is far better than Hughes.
Stevenson’s hand was always suspect in my opinion.
Penned was very gassed at the end of the fight though, so he is going to have to do something remarkable to stop Sherk in the future match up.
End Note, Stevenson beat Luke Cuommo by unanimous decision but his win was not easy. Luke showed guts and gave him a lot of trouble standing up. Joe’s striking ability is very suspect. He’s a great grappler, but punch a grappler in the face and things change quickly.