BJ Penn vs. GSP 3 Will Happen and It Could Even Make Sense

by MMAEruption on May 18, 2009 8:26 PM EDT

It's becoming increasingly clear that BJ Penn will not let his second loss to welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre go. Just today, he announced on his video blog that he is no longer willing to fight in Las Vegas, which hosts most UFC events.

So should the UFC give in to BJ and set up a third match? I've been against the idea until now, but there is a way to do it and actually have it make sense for the fans, the fighters, and the UFC.

UFC 94 did huge business on the back of BJ/GSP 2. And prior to UFC 94, neither guy was regarded as a major PPV draw - it always took other fighters to help bring in the masses. Think Brock's fight at UFC 87 and Tito's at UFC 84.

BJ and GSP became PPV draws by fighting each other. And if the UFC was willing to do a third Tito Ortiz/Ken Shamrock match, you better believe they'd do a third BJ/GSP match to cash in on bitter rivalry.

Getting BJ to cooperate would be far from easy and may require taking members of his family hostage, but here's how BJ/GSP 3 could happen:

1) Have BJ drop the lightweight belt and exit the division permanently if he beats Kenny Florian at UFC 101. Have two top contenders fight for the LW belt this December.

2) BJ fights at welterweight in December against a top 10 guy like Josh Koscheck or Jon Fitch - or even Hughes if he beats Serra.

3) Agree to give BJ another shot at GSP with two additional wins over top welterweights. Barring injuries, the match could happen in December 2010 in Montreal - a great way to close out the year.

This plan could work out for everyone:

1) The lightweight division would gain a champion that actually gives a damn about the belt.

2) BJ would fight more often and would be forced to work hard for another shot at GSP.

3) The UFC makes tons of money.

What do you guys think?

The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Bloody Elbow readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bloody Elbow editors or staff.

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Comments

NO!

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on May 18, 2009 8:42 PM EDT reply actions

if BJ wants GSP again..

Have him give up his title, change weight classes, and earn the fight by defeating other top contenders. That’s it. That’s the only way.

Other than that, Princess Penn can stomp her foot and hold her breath until hell freezes over.

by mythbuster on May 18, 2009 8:48 PM EDT reply actions

It's not going to happen.

BJ is 0-2 against GSP and 1-3 in his last four fights at 170. And what did he do after the one win? Abandon the belt without defending it. Dude has one loss in his life at 155, and it was in 2002. There is no angle by which this makes sense – fewer people will buy the next fight than bought the last one.

This will not happen.

by Derek Suboticki on May 18, 2009 9:03 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed.

BJ is a natural LW, and it is his ideal weight class. Stylistically, at this point in time, GSP is an absolute nightmare for Penn- because he can take him down at will, avoid BJ’s submissions from his back, and pass his guard rather easily.

I just don’t see any reason for this fight to take place.

Supporting all Las Vegas MMA.

'09 is the year of the FW's.

by ElliotMatheny on May 18, 2009 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed, except

for the part about avoiding BJ’s subs from his back. Avoid what? ;)

As vaunted as Penn’s BJJ is, when has he ever subbed anyone from his back…and hell, when has he ever even attempted a sub from his back? The only sub I’ve ever seen BJ try is the RNC, and it’s the only one he’s ever won with, besides the arm-triangle win over Bang Ludwig.

I remember him using rubber guard on Hughes and nearly locking him a triangle-armbar of sorts at the end of a round, but that one totally surprised me, as I’d never seen BJ actually go for a sub from rubber guard before that.

Of course it’s not as extreme as Jorge Gurgel’s case, but it seems like BJ really under-utilizes his BJJ a lot.

by Scott Haber on May 18, 2009 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions

He locked in a triangle on Pulver in their second match. It looked tight – some people believe BJ let him out on purpose to punish him.

Visit LongShortTrader!

by MMAEruption on May 18, 2009 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions

So BJ would beat the #1 contender, then abdicate? No way that’ll happen on Dana’s watch. If he wants GSP again, let him earn it.

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett

by Scott C. Broussard on May 18, 2009 9:11 PM EDT reply actions

Part of me wants to see 3.0 just so I can watch GSP kick the shit out of his Hawaiian doughboy face and another part of me says BJ has done nothing to justify another title shot.

Violence vs. Ethics hmmmmm.

I guess whenever in doubt, go with the decision that makes the most money.

by Sokonojudo on May 18, 2009 9:11 PM EDT reply actions

Put BJ against Anthony Johnson

And let’s end this shit once and for all.

by Derek Suboticki on May 18, 2009 9:18 PM EDT reply actions

yes, please.

would love to see BJ leaning on the fence, taking a nap like Tommy Speers.

What a Fashion Don’t! That’s like your dick wearing socks with sandals.

by nandez44 on May 18, 2009 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s excessively cruel.

Keep firing Assholes!

This is a dream competition for me. I drink as much coffee as I want, and eventually I hallucinate.

by Ubernoober on May 18, 2009 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Comon guys

BJ would beat AJ without much problem. You’re talking about a guy who lost to Rich Clementi.

by rainmaker6 on May 18, 2009 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions

That was some time ago. AJ right now would kick BJ’s head into the 4th row.

Keep firing Assholes!

This is a dream competition for me. I drink as much coffee as I want, and eventually I hallucinate.

by Ubernoober on May 18, 2009 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions

crazy what a difference 2 years can make in a young fighter. 2 years and 4 fights since Clementi, and now AJ is a dangerous striker with the ability to keep it standing.

Him vs. Matt Brown should be very entertaining.

What a Fashion Don’t! That’s like your dick wearing socks with sandals.

by nandez44 on May 18, 2009 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Uh no

I’m real annoyed at BJ’s actions but I don’t see AJ beating BJ……

by rainmaker6 on May 18, 2009 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions

How can he beat Johnson? Johnson has a huge reach on Penn, a huge height and size/strength advantage, and has excellent kicks. Penn can’t take him down, and would lose a standup battle.

by Hardcharger on May 19, 2009 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions

He lost to Clementi

after taking the fight on extremely short notice and having essentially no training camp…and while also fighting at a catchweight.

by Scott Haber on May 18, 2009 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Ok, now I REALLY want the fight to happen so I can take your money.

by Derek Suboticki on May 19, 2009 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Hmmmm

Yeah I’m hoping after Kenflo beats him he just goes back to competing more than once a year at lightweight. How much more proof is needed to show that GSP is the better fighter. If u want a big money draw for the UFC pit BJ’s mom against GSP. She obviously has bigger balls than her son.

by despisedIcon856 on May 18, 2009 9:32 PM EDT reply actions

If Penn actually sticks to his claim of not fighting in Vegas ever again, we’ll see a new UFC LW champion real soon. Even if he is the best fighter in the division, I can’t see something like this going down too well with the UFC brass. Either Penn takes back his claims or finds work elsewhere.

by Monday Morning Martial Artist on May 18, 2009 11:12 PM EDT reply actions

Hm no, him staying at LW is much easier

If he doesn’t care about the belt, he’ll lose it eventually, LW has some hungry sharks (Sean Sherk pun somewhat intended). It’s up to him to care about his legacy, nobody’s gonna do it for him.

Plus, and more importantly, this