BJ looking to keep the "fight" in ultimate fighting

[tn94z]

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UFC 118 headliner B.J. Penn aiming to keep the "fight" in "ultimate fighting"

by Steven Marrocco on Aug 20, 2010 at 1:00 pm ET

B.J. Penn (15-6-1 MMA, 11-6-1 UFC) still smarts over the fact that he lost his UFC lightweight belt on points, and he's determined to give the judges a fight off when he rematches Frankie Edgar (12-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) at next week's UFC 118 event.

The former champion sees a trend of high-profile fights going to decisions, and it's one thing he loathes as a 10-year veteran of the sport who's trying to keep up with all these young kids.

"I vote to keep the 'fight' in 'ultimate fighting,'" he said.

Judges gave Edgar the nod at UFC 112 with scores of 50-45, 50-45 and 49-46, though many critics saw things differently. Many observers felt Penn's punches had done more damage while Edgar stayed busier and landed a greater number of strikes. However, most gave Edgar the edge due to two takedowns he scored in rounds two and five.

The loss snapped a two-plus-year run as champion for the Hilo, Hawaii native. During his reign, he stopped Joe Stevenson, Sean Sherk, Kenny Florian and Diego Sanchez to claim the top spot in most 155-pound rankings.

Penn credits Edgar and the new champ's camp for a good game plan, and he takes responsibility for his poor performance at the April 12 event. He said it's all the more motivation to avenge his loss decisively next Saturday at the TD Garden in Boston.

Penn believes, by the way, that other fighters should follow suit, as well. He said the sport's explosive rise in popularity has drained its unpredictability since his octagon debut at UFC 31 in 2001 – and judges are partially at fault.

"Every fighter looks exactly the same," he said. "It's crazy now, but I guess that's the future of the sport, and that's how the sport has evolved. Nobody wants to be on their back because even if the guy doesn't do one bit of damage, he's still going to lose the fight.

"That's really affecting how fighters fight because the judges, as we all know, they don't know what they're doing. I don't think anyone should get points for any of the grappling positions.

"What's the sense of taking Demian Maia down, and why should you get points for that, and why should you get points for mounting James Toney? It doesn't make sense to me. It's all about damage and submission attempts; that's the only thing that really matter in the fight."

Penn didn't say much on what he plans to do differently in his second fight with Edgar. In previous interviews, though, he promises to corner the Toms River, N.J. native and force him to engage.

He didn't sound too hot on an immediate rematch and trilogy fight with Edgar if he dominates next Saturday's fight, but he said he would grant a third meeting if asked.

More important is proving to everyone, including himself, that he can finish fights.

"I think every fighter should have that same motivation to want to finish because it puts more money in all of our pockets, and it builds the UFC, and it just makes everybody happy all the way around," Penn said. "There is a lot of controversy with people taking the 'fight' out of 'ultimate fighting,' and they really want to go to decision, and they feel happy with that. If that's the way they like to do things, that's the way they do it.

"But for me, I've always been about the fight, and I'm more of a fighter than an athlete. Maybe that's why people say I don't come in shape and these kind of things. Because I'm not an athlete. I didn't grow up playing all types of sports my whole life. All I've ever [done] was get into a fight, and a lot of it was over emotion."

BJ is releasing some very well said statements leading up to this fight.....his motivation seems to be at an all time high

[FUZO]

Tweetwell we all can agree on that the judges were on some kind of dope to score it like that. And I think as well frankie woke up the giant. I think a few things happen in the last fight.The time differnce,when BJ walked out into the crowd he did not look to well he looked sluggish.wasnt the same fighter as the last 5 fights before but jhe didnt make any kind of excuses like he was sick or had broken ribs,lol

[tn94z]

TweetOr his opponent was greased up....I had to throw that in there before the BJ haters got to it.

[Strella]

Tweethaha GSP just has overactive sebaceous glands. i agree with most of what BJ is saying, but his last fight he didnt look like he was trying to finish anything, more like he was just gonna do enough to not lose. Anyway, win or lose, hopefully he brings the heat this time.

[O2BESOHUGE]

TweetWHEN BJ HAS THE RIGHT MINDSET - HES AWESOME TO WATCH. LIKE THE DIEGO SANCHEZ FIGHT. WOW! THATS THE BJ I WANT TO SEE FIGHTING EDGAR

[jipped genes]

Tweeti hope he can get to edgar and press the fight. BJ has more power. edgar just moves and dosnt stop. very hard to hit and take down