UFC 94: Georges St. Pierre vs. BJ Penn 2

UFC’s two time welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre is up against UFC’s lightweight champion BJ Penn, for the second time. Penn has earlier earned welterweight champion experience in defeating UFC legend Matt Hughes with a submission victory in 2004, and has held an untouchable position in the lightweight division for years. He pleads now to be ready to go the five rounds against St. Pierre, a moment he has looked forward to ever since his loss in the split decision epic match of march 2006, and his trainer claims he has never been in better shape. If he wins, he will be the first in UFC’s history to hold two titles at the same time.

In the UFC 94 conference call, Penn stated his confidence and announced that he has prepared his defense against St. Pierre’s wrestling tactics. With endurance training and hard work giving the max every day, he is more focused now than last time. The difference, he claims to be that he now wants to be the best, a mental promising attitude bound to set him right on target. He does not focus on the belt itself but who he wins it from. It’s St. Pierre he wants to beat. Moreover, his sense of calm interests the media in relation to the possible end of the game and what it could mean for Penn. The 31st decides what happens next in Penn’s career and at the age of 30 his weight is no longer uncontroversial in the locus of the beltjumping phenomena. One of the aspects of this fight is how far skills follow cutting and gaining weight, defending world champion titles at possibly two weight classes. Clearly Penn himself is not focusing on any potential age related adversity, but on the upcoming game, and he shares his outline with the crowd; “I don’t know how I’m going to win this fight, but I know I’m going to win.”

UFC President Dana White hypes the high expectations for the upcoming rematch between two of the world’s best pound for pound fighters. The results of the two contestants last encounter in March 2006 was 29-28, 28-29, 29-28 and gave a razor-thin split decision to St. Pierre’s favor.

Consequently, any outcome of this sequel would captivate the audience and St. Pierre states his humbleness to be part of a fight of such great public interest. So far, he has done well and has won nine out of ten fights, last four on a row, and is looking to send Penn back to the 155-pound weight class while he himself, if successful, could be forced to defend his title against Thiago Alves and possibly have the opportunity to challenge the legendary Anderson Silva, beltjumping at middle weight.

Georges St. Pierre has been doing a lot of wrestling training lately and is in good shape. He says it’s up to the fight who manages to benefit from his specialties as he adds “I’ve trained to fight an army – so that no one man can beat me”. BJ Penn has also heard of his sessions with a sport-psychologist and gives the media some trash talk amusement. St. Pierre with his mixed martial arts experience and though Canadian upbring is known to have a bit of a temperament and is the perfect exploit to hype the sport marketing business. He takes on the role of a modern Rocky as he assures that he fights with his heart and keeps his eyes on the goal. The match is taking place in Las Vegas and broadcast on US pay per view on January 31. Also, the co-main event will feature a Light heavyweight match between two undefeated fighters, Lyoto Machida and Thiago Alves, who both own perfect 13-0 records.

Tags: Anderson Silva, Dana White, Georges St. Pierre, Lyoto Machida, Matt Hughes, Thiago Alves, UFC