Sluggish Penn Does Enough; Goodridge Rolls to Tourney Crown
Penn Does Enough
Josh Gross Jul 30, 2005
For those who believe that B.J. Penn’s future hovers at or above
185 pounds, they may want to look closely at his uninspired
decision victory Friday night over Renzo Gracie (pictures), who despite his family name and
early success was 1-5 since 1999 and had not fought for nearly two
years following an ACL injury.
Considering his résumé over the last half-decade, little was expected from the 38-year-old Gracie. Instead, the pre-bout focus shone on Penn, who entered the ring Friday night looking neither like the svelte lightweight that battled Jens Pulver (pictures) for the UFC 155-pound belt in 2002 nor the solidly built welterweight who stunned Matt Hughes (pictures).
To be fair to the 26-year-old, packing on the pounds on a
five-foot-nine frame has come largely during a crusade to fight
heavier men, which began following the defeat of Hughes in January
2004. But versus Gracie, always a slender middleweight, Penn looked
nothing if out of shape.
Gone was Penn’s trademark rush to fight, which fans first saw in his UFC debut before he smashed Caol Uno (pictures). Friday he moved to the K-1 ring with the grace of a recreational marathoner, not the explosiveness of a world-class sprinter. And his fight followed much the same pattern.
In the opening seconds of the second period Penn went to Gracie’s body and head, connecting accurately almost every time. A jab snapped Gracie’s head and soon Penn stalked his way around the ring, swatting oncoming punches and kicks like he would a mosquito.
When takedowns became increasingly difficult for Gracie to finish, he began reaching with punches. Penn countered nicely, bouncing his red five-ounce gloves off the Brazilian’s face.
These were the finest moments the night for the Hawaiian, who faced Gracie in the main event of K-1’s first-ever open-air promotion outside of Japan which, according to K-1, drew almost 12,000 spectators to Honolulu’s Aloha Arena.
The pro-Penn crowd desperately wanted to erupt for their man. But he gave them few opportunities.
Gracie flicked jabs and low kicks to began action in round three. However Penn soon brought the fight to the blue canvas, where it remained until the final bell.
"Renzo fought harder than I expected, and I wish I'd only had 30 more seconds, because I think I had him at the end and then the bell sounded,” Penn said of a fight he won by unanimous decision (30-28, 29-28, 29-28).
Had Friday’s version of Penn fought the Renzo Gracie (pictures) that warred with Kazushi Sakuraba (pictures) in August 2000, he would have been blown out. Yet Gracie’s age and injuries changed the dynamics of this fight and in spite of his appearance Penn’s physical attributes — balance and power (speed used to be in there, too) — took hold in rounds two and three.
Whether anyone close to Penn will tell him, after sluggish performances versus two natural middleweights and a light heavyweight it is clear that he is at his best at 170 pounds.
Though Penn cannot make 155 anymore, the welterweight limit is clearly in reach. Unlike so many less talented fighters, however, it seems Penn’s refusal to cut weight is a result of his unwillingness to make the sacrifices necessary to realize his potential. And he is the only one responsible for that.
Could Penn, who fancies himself the best fighter in the world, possibly challenge Wanderlei Silva (pictures), the PRIDE 205-pound champion mentioned repeatedly in recent Penn interviews? What about UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin (pictures)?
It doesn’t seem possible, not if he continues to fight out of shape and flat-footed like he did Friday. At this point, the question for Penn and his handlers has to be: If he stays on his current path, how long until fans give up on him and move on?
Considering his résumé over the last half-decade, little was expected from the 38-year-old Gracie. Instead, the pre-bout focus shone on Penn, who entered the ring Friday night looking neither like the svelte lightweight that battled Jens Pulver (pictures) for the UFC 155-pound belt in 2002 nor the solidly built welterweight who stunned Matt Hughes (pictures).
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Gone was Penn’s trademark rush to fight, which fans first saw in his UFC debut before he smashed Caol Uno (pictures). Friday he moved to the K-1 ring with the grace of a recreational marathoner, not the explosiveness of a world-class sprinter. And his fight followed much the same pattern.
Gracie fought well early, scoring the bout’s first takedown. With
the Brazilian jiu-jitsu master in his guard, Penn, who despite his
size retained much of the flexibility he was famous for among
jiu-jitsu circles, relaxed and offered little offense.
In the opening seconds of the second period Penn went to Gracie’s body and head, connecting accurately almost every time. A jab snapped Gracie’s head and soon Penn stalked his way around the ring, swatting oncoming punches and kicks like he would a mosquito.
When takedowns became increasingly difficult for Gracie to finish, he began reaching with punches. Penn countered nicely, bouncing his red five-ounce gloves off the Brazilian’s face.
These were the finest moments the night for the Hawaiian, who faced Gracie in the main event of K-1’s first-ever open-air promotion outside of Japan which, according to K-1, drew almost 12,000 spectators to Honolulu’s Aloha Arena.
The pro-Penn crowd desperately wanted to erupt for their man. But he gave them few opportunities.
Gracie flicked jabs and low kicks to began action in round three. However Penn soon brought the fight to the blue canvas, where it remained until the final bell.
"Renzo fought harder than I expected, and I wish I'd only had 30 more seconds, because I think I had him at the end and then the bell sounded,” Penn said of a fight he won by unanimous decision (30-28, 29-28, 29-28).
Had Friday’s version of Penn fought the Renzo Gracie (pictures) that warred with Kazushi Sakuraba (pictures) in August 2000, he would have been blown out. Yet Gracie’s age and injuries changed the dynamics of this fight and in spite of his appearance Penn’s physical attributes — balance and power (speed used to be in there, too) — took hold in rounds two and three.
Whether anyone close to Penn will tell him, after sluggish performances versus two natural middleweights and a light heavyweight it is clear that he is at his best at 170 pounds.
Though Penn cannot make 155 anymore, the welterweight limit is clearly in reach. Unlike so many less talented fighters, however, it seems Penn’s refusal to cut weight is a result of his unwillingness to make the sacrifices necessary to realize his potential. And he is the only one responsible for that.
Could Penn, who fancies himself the best fighter in the world, possibly challenge Wanderlei Silva (pictures), the PRIDE 205-pound champion mentioned repeatedly in recent Penn interviews? What about UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin (pictures)?
It doesn’t seem possible, not if he continues to fight out of shape and flat-footed like he did Friday. At this point, the question for Penn and his handlers has to be: If he stays on his current path, how long until fans give up on him and move on?
