---

Every Wednesday, Administrative Editor Jordan Breen welcomes a member of the mixed martial arts media into “Press Row” on the Sherdog.com blog. This week, Breen is joined by Sherdog.com contributor Jesse Denis.

As Jan. 11 marks the 15-year anniversary of UFC 35, headlined by the first clash between Jens Pulver and B.J. Penn, Breen and Denis dig into the historical significance of that card and Penn himself, especially as back in 2002, many in the MMA world questioned whether sub-welterweight talent could ever be serious drawing cards for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Breen and Denis also discuss how the history of boxing disproves many MMA narratives about “little fighters” drawing money, whether B.J. Penn is a historically noteworthy draw or if he was the beneficiary of the greatest business boom in UFC history, the surprising television ratings of World Extreme Cagefighting and how the “money fight” imperative sweeping MMA will influence the 135- and 145-pound divisions in the near future.

Grab your credential and get a seat in “Press Row.”

The above file can be saved in MP3 format here.

Reader comments are active below.