UnderGround Forum >> Is BJ Penn really an all time great?

Samoa -  All time great without a doubt in my opinion......but he's letting questions creep into the discussion by continuing to fight at 170. Bringing it on himself.

He and Randy don't have the records because IMO are all time greats. If you just go by records (this is an opinon thing) then probably not. Personally I look at who they fought, and overall accomplishments. They both get on my list.

BJ had big balls fighting guys like Loyoto and Hughes back in the day.  The sport was what it was at that point and his skill set was such that he could bounce divisions and be competitive.  Today, the sport has evolved to the point that only the very elite in the prime portion of their career (Anderson Silva) are able to do it.  It isn't 2004 and the competition is much more intense.

I don't think Penn has had what it takes to be a contender since his fights with Edgar.  Not because of his skillset, but because he simply refused to train the way he should (with the Marinovich's?) and compete in his natural division.  When you're younger and more athletic is when you take chances.  When you are older and less explosive and the deficit has either been eliminated or at minimum severely narrowed, you need to become more conservative, fight in the right division and train harder than you ever have.  Penn hasn't had that mentality since the first Edgar fight.

Just my opinion; I've always been a huge BJ Penn fan, but watching his career since Edgar has been like watching your favorite football team run the same plays over and over that don't work and after getting frustrated watching that happen, they not only run the same plays but now they are fumbling it as well.

Peek ahp da ball and go to da beach aready BJ.