It's Official: BJ Penn to Defend 155-Pound Title Against Frankie Edgar
by Nick Thomas on Jan 12, 2010 6:43 PM EST
in MMA News
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MMAFighting gets the scoop:
Dana White confirmed that Edgar will receive the next 155-pound title shot against champion BJ Penn. There had been talk of Gray Maynard facing Penn next, but in a video interview shot Tuesday in New York City, White said he didn't think Maynard was 100% ready to fight for the title just yet.
Check out the Gray Maynard video interview after the jump.
BJ Penn (15-5-1)
Win Diego Sanchez - Technical Knock Out UFC 107 Dec-12-2009 5 2:32
Win Kenny Florian - Submission (Choke) UFC 101 Aug-8-2009 4 3:54
Frank Edgar (11-1)
Win Matt Veach - Submission (Choke) TUF FINALE Dec-5-2009 2 2:22
Win Sean Sherk - Unanimous Decision UFC 98 May-23-2009 3 5:00
UFC 112 now includes:
- BJ Penn vs. Frankie Edgar
- Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort
- Matt Hughes vs. Renzo Gracie
- Kendall Grove vs. TBA
HT: mmafighting.com, foxnews.com/fightgame
UFC 112 coverage
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Comments
Better than 111?
I don’t think so, though it’ll probably be close when everything is said and done.
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
With what’s being lined up for 113 and Strikeforce’s April card, we could be looking at the greatest run of events ever over a five week span.
Something’s got to go wrong.
Sure, but I think it's going to continually get better and better
We had a speed bump there, but things have been on a steady incline for the last two years.
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
No at all
just a consistent slowdown in ppv sales since UFC 100. Momentum is still the same.
A consistent slowdown since the greatest selling PPV of all time, one that demolished the previous record by nearly 50%?
Who would have thunk it?
by Steve4192 on Jan 13, 2010 10:08 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The double title matches on each card is something I don’t see them continuing.
Unless, of course, a couple of new weight classes are added.
Honestly--
Who gives a shit about titles? Why isn’t anyone prolapsing an anus over Fedor not fighting for a title in a main event? Doesn’t matter, d00d.. There are fights— Rampage/Rashad is about as big as it gets and there’s no title on the line.
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
by Blackout612 on Jan 12, 2010 7:16 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Why isn’t anyone prolapsing an anus over Fedor not fighting for a title in a main event?
I was actually.
Can bring up Rampage/Rashad
because real fans don’t care about grudge matches, remember?
I agree, but for the UFC obviously the title holder is top dog. In Strikeforce no on really argues that Overeem deserves the title of their best.
Now if Anderson Silva moves up to LHW and refuses to fight Machida, and/or Big Nog wins the title and JDS continues to destroy opponents and refuses to fight his mentor, then titles in the UFC might not matter either.
Also
Strikeforce titles are more or less meaningless right now. So there’s that..
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
The only title they have with any meaning is Fedor’s “The Baddest Man of the Planet”. They should engrave that on his WAMMA belt to make it meaningful.
And if the future Aoki-Melendez fight happens, they’ll have the “2nd best Lightweight in the World” to show off.
Well
They can certainly tout that, sure. I mean, I don’t really care for such things, but it would make their title relevant, in any case (and easy their most relevant title).
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
The only thing could go wrong is Lesnar coming
Back
If you don't know someone you can't stand, look in the mirror!!
by ufchugnutter on Jan 12, 2010 7:02 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Don't even sweat it
We’ll Twitter Dana and tell him we’re coming out from the muthafuckin midwest and he’ll put us in the ring girl’s seats (dibs on Arriany sitting on my lap).
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
No chit?
Dana put iiowyn on the floor last night.
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
Bummer
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
It was a pretty bumpin' fight to be at.
Lots of energy from the crowd that night. You missed out.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
"big fight announcements"
3 days late?
If you don't know someone you can't stand, look in the mirror!!
by ufchugnutter on Jan 12, 2010 6:47 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Somebody had to be the next lamb led to slaughter.
"Talk all the shit you want now!
by Earl Montclair on Jan 12, 2010 6:48 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
can we just go ahead and adjust BJ’s record to 16-5-1
We're just a million little gods causin' rain storms, turning every good thing to rust.
by Anthony Pace on Jan 12, 2010 6:49 PM EST reply actions 5 recs
I think i understand BJ’s strategy- crush everyone possible in LW and leave no doubts until all the fans will be cheering a GSP rematch. smart guy that baby jay.
by Austin Martin on Jan 12, 2010 6:51 PM EST up reply actions
Becuase
you can name 5 people better at 155? How about 3? No? OK, name 1 who would be favored against BJ.
Floyd Mayweather.
Doesn’t matter if it’s MMA rules. People know him better, and casual money would come in.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
Thats the best you have?
I think by fight time BJ would be favored by the heaving bets being placed on BJ.
It is the best I have.
Which says a lot about BJ. Either way, I wouldn’t bet too much on him going against the #1-2 p4p boxer wearing 4oz gloves. PBF may not be a slugger like Pacman, but he dropped Marquez pretty easily in the second and his left hook has some serious stopping power. Puncher’s chance defined.
Still though, BJ by RNC under MMA rules. Mayweather by decision in boxing.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
Or outside of the US:
Buakaw or Petrosyan could be favored, but even that’s pretty unlikely. Maybe Masato by celebrity status? I can’t think of anybody else at/around 155 that would be even close to even odds vs. BJ in MMA. Famous strikers riding star power are the best bet.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
sherdoggers are too busy gargling their own balls to hug anyone else’s
by Austin Martin on Jan 12, 2010 7:43 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
There's a difference between nut-hugging and accepting reality.
We’re the latter.
Walking the line between intelligence and ignorance since 1985
@deowade
Yeah, BJ’s dominance of the lightweight division is about as close to a consensus as you’ll get. There’s probably more people who think Fitch or Kos take a rematch with GSP than think that there’s a LW fighter out there at the moment with better than a long shot of beating BJ.
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
I still say Kenny Florian is the closest the LW division has to giving BJ a real Problem
by cyanide on Jan 12, 2010 6:54 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Im pretty sure we have already seen that movie and if that was giving BJ a real problem then we may as well bury him with that belt.
"Talk all the shit you want now!
by Earl Montclair on Jan 12, 2010 6:56 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
I think that if Kenny chose to kickbox and outpoint he may have a shot. the clinch hump, notsomuch
by Austin Martin on Jan 12, 2010 6:57 PM EST up reply actions
apparently that is not an option because Diego chose the same strategy knowing how futile it was for Florian.
"Talk all the shit you want now!
by Earl Montclair on Jan 12, 2010 6:58 PM EST up reply actions
You think Kenny can outpoint BJ? BJ is one of the best boxers in the sport.
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
Striking is striking, and BJ is the superior striker.
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
haha i know. i wasnt suggesting he could actually win. just adopt a better strategy the next time around
by Austin Martin on Jan 12, 2010 7:02 PM EST up reply actions
Florian’s striking is pretty great, but everything he does, BJ is better at. That’s gotta eat away at guys in MMA looking up at the likes of BJ/Anderson/GSP.
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
Eh...
If he works an elusive game and stays on the outside with kicks at first, he could take out BJ’s legs (ergo, his power punching) over the first two rounds. Once Penn starts to slow and doesn’t hold his early KO power, Kenny can counter a bit to break his morale and then swarm him late.
This is assuming Florian can land kicks from the outside without getting worked by the jab and BJ’s aggressive striking. And that BJ can’t or won’t take him down and work some heavy GNP to soften up a late finish. Lots of problems, but it’s a possible strategy that could theoretically work.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
No
BJ’s first step is too much for anyone hoping to chop his legs out.
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
I agree that it's a huge hurdle
but not insurmountable. If Florian uses his range and builds his speed a bit, he could conceivably do it. Particularly if his wrestling continues to improve as it appeared to before the Guida fight. If he gets the timing on that first step and timed his shot properly, he could take BJ down, throw two shots, then run away before he his back gets taken. If I recall correctly, GSP did a bit of that early in the second Penn fight (I’ll need to rewatch, haven’t seen it in forever).
Again, not saying that it’s likely to happen, but it’s possible. Wear out the legs, use takedowns to nullify his adjustments, and then step up the striking when he loses a bit of his power. And if Florian works elbows from the top, we’ll see what happens when a cutting machine hits an uncuttable material.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
Keep him at distance with push kicks and chip away at his legs. His power in his striking comes from a strong base. You take that away and everything else crumbles. Florian probably can’t do this, but he might be the best Muay Thai practitioner at lightweight. I honestly believe this is the only possible way to beat Bj unless you are the best athlete in the sport.
The man know simply as "Christmas Cheesesteak"
Cage humping for 5 rounds.
Fans will hate your guts but you’ll get a nice shiny belt.
Keep firing Assholes!
"If all else fails immortality can always be assured by spectacular error." - John Galbraith
Try your damnedest to keep a fight from occurring? Maybe. Florian tried it, but he’s not really the one to do it.
The man know simply as "Christmas Cheesesteak"
I think Florian won 2 rounds with his cage-hump strategy. Strong wrestler pins BJ against the cage and “imposes his will” for 25 minutes and becomes the new champ and most despised person in MMA.
It’s not like there is any other reliable way to beat BJ.
Keep firing Assholes!
"If all else fails immortality can always be assured by spectacular error." - John Galbraith
I still think it's Sherk
If his knees haven’t gone to shit and he can remember to wrestle.
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
The best kinda prize us a suprize!!! However
This isn’t!!!
If you don't know someone you can't stand, look in the mirror!!
by ufchugnutter on Jan 12, 2010 6:54 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Poor Frankie. Hopefully it will be quick and painless.
I love me some Sexyama!
by pud333 on Jan 12, 2010 6:57 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Quick and painful, maybe
I don’t think BJ is going to put him in a full nelson while Frankie yells for dad.
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
Dana and Lorrenzo on a bunch of TV stations Today.
@ CNBC talking about Abu Dhabi sale.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1383661807&play=1
@ Fox Fight Game
http://video.foxnews.com/v/3966498/ufcs-breaking-news
He was on Cavuto on Fox News channel but I can’t a video for the interview.
by snakecharmer1340 on Jan 12, 2010 6:58 PM EST reply actions
Now
if Lesnar comes back everything can be real again instead of this bizzare-o world where staph is running rampant and Thiago Silva is headlining PPV’s.
"Talk all the shit you want now!
I can hear the UFC sales job on this fight.
Joe Rogan: " Frankie Edgar is BJ Penn’s toughest test to date."
by snakecharmer1340 on Jan 12, 2010 7:03 PM EST reply actions
No no no. THIS is the sale pitch:
“If you were looking for the perfect guy to take on BJ Penn, you’d like for a fighter with ATTRIBUTE A, ATTRIBUTE B, and ATTRIBUTE C. That’s Frankie Edgar.”
Seriously, I will cringe when I see the mind-numbing countdown for this fight. There is NO way they will be able to convince me that Edgar has a snowball’s chance in Hell against BJ.
Yeah
BJ should just retire and we should let less talented fighters fight it out.
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
Not what I said
He should fight Maynard. He is 7-0 in the UFC with a win over Edgar, who is no more exciting than Maynard either. Gray has earned it.
Only Lesnar will return as a LHW!! Knock out
Irvin and get a LGE title shot!!!!!WAR LESNAR!!!!
If you don't know someone you can't stand, look in the mirror!!
by ufchugnutter on Jan 12, 2010 7:05 PM EST via mobile reply actions
LHW
If you don't know someone you can't stand, look in the mirror!!
by ufchugnutter on Jan 12, 2010 7:06 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Solution: BJ Penn vs Edgar and Maynard in the same night.
He’ll win both matches. You know it’s true.
by snakecharmer1340 on Jan 12, 2010 7:09 PM EST reply actions
YES triple threat match! Sherlock comes in and applies a figure four to bj while maynard pins Edgar after a hurricanrana!!!!
If you don't know someone you can't stand, look in the mirror!!
by ufchugnutter on Jan 12, 2010 7:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
CRAPPY SHERK STUPID WORD GUESSING APP!!!!
If you don't know someone you can't stand, look in the mirror!!
by ufchugnutter on Jan 12, 2010 7:13 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Tito Ortiz might have a better job selling this fight:
“Everybody lets give a hand to Frankie Edgar, one of BJ Penn’s greatest opponents, of the night.”
certified warlord
by kenpoboy67 on Jan 12, 2010 7:12 PM EST reply actions 4 recs
I think we are overlooking the most important thing here......
who is DA SPYDER fighting?
"Talk all the shit you want now!
You mean Anderson? Vitor. That's def happening May or June.
by snakecharmer1340 on Jan 12, 2010 7:17 PM EST up reply actions
NO!!!
Not “The Spider”………DA SPYDER.
Shit, man
"Talk all the shit you want now!
by Earl Montclair on Jan 12, 2010 7:19 PM EST up reply actions
"Frank Mir had a horseshoe up his ass. I told him a year ago. I pulled it out of him and I beat him over the head with it." Brock Lesnar
by pitbull187 on Jan 12, 2010 7:19 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
This fight should be a co-main event with a big title match 'cause this is not.
by snakecharmer1340 on Jan 12, 2010 7:19 PM EST reply actions
Frankie Edgar has a better chance of winning than Sanchez did.
Keep firing Assholes!
"If all else fails immortality can always be assured by spectacular error." - John Galbraith
Agreed. Much better striking In my opinion.
If you don't know someone you can't stand, look in the mirror!!
by ufchugnutter on Jan 12, 2010 7:24 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
He's an interesting enough guy as it is
He’s also been on an MTV reality show and got some face time last night. I’m sure they won’t have a lot of trouble marketing him.
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
Yes
He is getting to fight him.
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
True.
If you don't know someone you can't stand, look in the mirror!!
by ufchugnutter on Jan 12, 2010 7:26 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
hype hype hype hype hype hype hype
then demolition
by Austin Martin on Jan 12, 2010 7:28 PM EST up reply actions
I personally would like to see Edgar vs gomi before this.
If you don't know someone you can't stand, look in the mirror!!
by ufchugnutter on Jan 12, 2010 7:31 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Gomi vs Maynard to change Maynard’s ideas about his boxing.
Keep firing Assholes!
"If all else fails immortality can always be assured by spectacular error." - John Galbraith
Gomi wins
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
Then who does BJ fight?
They don’t have to do title eliminators. It’s obviously good to have more challengers.
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
exactly… kos will never get a title shot, why not feed him to bj
by Austin Martin on Jan 12, 2010 7:34 PM EST up reply actions
Soooooooo
We’re talking about BJ switching weight classes?
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
But then he would just be Frank Trigg.
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
by Blackout612 on Jan 12, 2010 7:39 PM EST up reply actions 6 recs
minus the bad tattooes, clothing line, radio show, double RNC losses, and twinkletoes
by Austin Martin on Jan 12, 2010 7:40 PM EST up reply actions
hahahahahahaha damn trigg, start winning in life.
by Austin Martin on Jan 12, 2010 7:41 PM EST up reply actions
it needs to happen. its pointless having him fight at 155
by Austin Martin on Jan 12, 2010 7:39 PM EST up reply actions
Don’t feel Edgar really has shown himself to be
in title contention!
If you don't know someone you can't stand, look in the mirror!!
by ufchugnutter on Jan 12, 2010 7:32 PM EST via mobile reply actions
What does he have to do?
I mean, what’s the criteria here? His last two he beat Sherk and choked out an undefeated Matt Veach. He’s 6-1 in the UFC. You can’t dangle his sole loss to Maynard over his head for his whole career.
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
Well
Maynard would lay claim to the first shot at Frankie. There’s no WWE-style #1 contendership status. Frankie is deserving of a title shot, regardless of Maynard’s standing. Okami’s sad face agrees.
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
This asswhooping will be magnificient.
Walking the line between intelligence and ignorance since 1985
@deowade
aoki
Bring in aoki! Or Penn machida 2
If you don't know someone you can't stand, look in the mirror!!
by ufchugnutter on Jan 12, 2010 7:35 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I wouldn’t be opposed to this actually. Win or lose, Cerrone has the ability to cause severe damage to his opponent.
Walking the line between intelligence and ignorance since 1985
@deowade
cerrone is sick man throws fast thai kicks
by mr. gogoplata on Jan 12, 2010 8:13 PM EST up reply actions
Cerrone has bad defence.
Keep firing Assholes!
"If all else fails immortality can always be assured by spectacular error." - John Galbraith
bad defense and an iron chin. its the terminator vs. the prodigy. at least we’d be entertained
by Austin Martin on Jan 12, 2010 8:33 PM EST up reply actions
Said this in a different thread but
Cerrone = Mac Danzig
The man know simply as "Christmas Cheesesteak"
Great technical striking and Jits, terrible wrestling
Switch their spots, Danzig in the WEC and Cerrone in the UFC, how would they do?
The man know simply as "Christmas Cheesesteak"
Hell no
If Cerrone ever showed head movement of this caliber, he could do some serious damage.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito Ortiz on Vitor Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on Jan 12, 2010 8:41 PM EST up reply actions
yea... if Mac had some power in his hands, he'd be way more dangerous.
I'm like PacMan fightin you silly kids... throw ya Hatton the ring, and get knocked outlike Ricky did.
lol.
LESNAR/ DANA press conference next Tue/Wed in Vegas.
Areil Helwani just posted his interview and Dana says they’ll have news for everybody next week.
by snakecharmer1340 on Jan 12, 2010 9:27 PM EST reply actions
This fight sucks balls. The world has no one to offer as a challenger.
Don’t mention it..
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
by Blackout612 on Jan 12, 2010 10:38 PM EST up reply actions
lorenzo's really gonna be great for when the ufc is more mainstream
danas antics of cursing reporters off and basically acting like dana are awesome now while the ufcs basically trying to appeal to the 18-34 demographic
but when the ufc becomes more and more mainstream expect to see dana take a backseat and have lorenzo be the politically correct boring as hell commish (roger goodell)
I watched the 3 interviews they did together and
eveybody gravitates towards Dana. Lorenzo gets some questions but Dana gets the bulk of them.
by snakecharmer1340 on Jan 12, 2010 9:38 PM EST up reply actions
yea im sayin in te future not now
lorenzo really runs all the business aspects of the ufc while dana does all the mainstream apperences and dirty work of the ufc but the mainstream media rips nfl coaches and players for the tiniest statements they make that could be considered offensive
at some point danas antics are gonna start being too much i think before that happens he’ll slowly move from the spotlight and as the UFC becomes as recognized as the nfl or mlb lorenzo will be the suit commish who comes out and bores everyone to tears in his interviews
It's a good thing that Frankie Edgar took the fight against Veach
Edgar did to Veach what Maynard SHOULD have done to Nate Diaz. Edgar dropped and choked out a fighter who was much bigger than him. The fact of the matter is that one of the main reasons that Edgar isn’t even seen as a threat to Penn is Edgar’s size. Edgar is above average in all aspects of the game (standup, wrestling, and BJJ). His footwork is very good, and he’s not flat-footed. I’m not saying that Edgar would beat Penn if he was a legit Lightweight, but I feel that he would be seen more as a threat to Penn.
Hopefully Gray can use this as a learning experience, he needs to use his wrestling to dominate fights and leave the sloppy kickboxing to guys like Nate.
Frankie is the underdog but he’s going to bring the fight to BJ, he very technical and if he can stay on the outside and work his boxing it could be very interesting if it goes to the later rounds.
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