Few things in life are more precious than family, fame and fortune. Happiness, for one, is quite possibly the single most valuable commodity one will endure throughout his or her lifetime. Some seek happiness through monetary benefits, others through a means of escape from reality by partaking in a favored pastime.
About a week or so ago I had the opportunity to chat with BJ after one of his grueling workouts. It was a rare instance where I actually caught him during some reserved free time just after a quick catnap. Now I pass on to you, loyal Sherdog reader, what we chewed the fat about.
Mike Sloan: How long, exactly, have you been training full force for Hughes? Has it been just the regular five to six weeks, or have you been in the gym for months?
BJ Penn: I’ve been in for about a month, then the rest of this month left.
MS: How is training going right now? Are there any problems or weight issues?
BP: I’m right on weight. Usually I’m at about 155, but I’m walking around at 170 right now, so I’m good; I’m just out right around there.
MS: With the extra weight that you’ve accumulated for this fight, does it make you feel sluggish at all?
BP: Nah. I might walk into (The Octagon) at about 165 or whatever, but if that’s the weight where I’m comfortable then that’s biggest I’m going to get comfortably without putting all kinds of extra weight, you know. That’s how I would be if I was going to defend myself out on the street or anywhere at my best.
So if someone’s going to attack me out on the street or something, that’s where I’ll be about; 165 or 170. I’m pretty much the best possible fighter I can be right now for my size, I guess.
MS: When you signed on to challenge Hughes, was it because you wanted to step up and challenge the man regarded as the best in his class or was it because you had difficulties making the lightweight limit of 155?
BP: Nah! I can make 155 easy. I actually got real fat, about 180, before the Gomi fight. But that was just fat, so it was real easy to lose. I didn’t have to get or lose any muscle.
The UFC will not get a lightweight title for a long time; at least until the end of 2004. I just want to fight for the belt and I think I can beat him, man. It’s no problem for me. I like fighting good people. You know, I can go around and fight all kinds of nobodies and have, like, fifty wins on my record, but when I’m done I want everybody to look at my record and see all these great people that I fought.
I want to fight only the best. Man, I can go right now and fight a shitty guy at the bar! I want to just fight the best people. MS: With Hughes, he’s naturally bigger than you, probably stronger than you and most everybody regard him as the world’s best welterweight and clearly one of the best, if not the best pound-for-pound. People also consider you have the abilities to be what Hughes is in the eyes of the MMA public. Because Hughes is at the top of the food chain, do you see it possible that you can actually lose to him, or are you so confident that there is no way you’ll lose?
BP: Yep, I’m coming to win. This isn’t no circus act. I’m coming to win this fight. I’m doing everything in my power to win the fight. I mean, nobody gets three shots at a title. I’ve already had two and this could be my last, but (chuckles) I’m coming to win this fight. This is no joke, you know?
I’m coming to win and I’m going to knock him out or submit him. I’ll do whatever I have to do to win the fight. That’s all I know. I’m very confident. I am a jiu jitsu world champion and I feel that I can do anything. I feel that I can do anything in a fight against Hughes, so I don’t know. We’re just going to have to find out that way.
MS: You have unprecedented striking ability and your jiu jitsu is world class, obviously. Out of your two potent strengths, which do you see as the bigger advantage for you against Hughes?
BP: Both and I think even my takedowns are going to play a part in it, too. I honestly don’t feel like he’s going to overpower me like everybody says he is. Sure, he’s going to be the stronger man in there, but I don’t think he’s going to overpower me and do whatever he wants with me like everything thinks. That’s not what is going to happen.
My takedowns are going to play a role in that. I feel like I am hard to take down and I feel that if I get the right shot, I’m going to take you down. Will it be something for him to think about? I don’t know. So I’m going to come in striking, grappling, whatever I have to do.