BJ Penn was saying all the right things in his recent pre-fight interview in Memphis this week, and this subdued nature was certainly in sharp contrast to the outlandish BJ Penn hype machine that we’ve seen previously.
Courtesy of MMAWeekly:
“I’m not here to criticize him or anything,” he said. “But when I see that kind of thing, I don’t think much of it. He wants to portray himself as the crazy one; I think he’s just portraying himself as the weird one. And we’re gonna know which guy’s more crazy when we get into the Octagon.”
All that light that Sanchez’s cries bring into life? It will fade when Penn’s punches fly.
“I think it’s going to play the part after I start shutting down his takedowns,” said Penn. “When he realizes he doesn’t have that to go to, he’s gonna see a lot of punches coming really quick at him. It’s something I don’t think he’s prepared for.”
Payout Perspective:
Which do you prefer? The BJ Penn that says he’s coming to kill Georges St-Pierre, or the more sincere, subdued Penn that says all the right things in an interview?
I think we’re reaching the point in society where the consumer is more than ever better equipped to wade through the countless pieces of information flying about in this media driven world and really determine what is or is not legitimate. That’s why a guy like Georges St-Pierre is so endearing to many. He’s a great fighter and good looking enough to land modeling roles, but it’s also his temperament and honesty that make him the most respected – and arguably most popular – fighter in the UFC.
The fans believe what GSP says. But it’s harder for them to take a guy like BJ Penn seriously a lot of the time because in the past he’s just said things to hype the fight.
Whether or not it’s on Countdown to UFC, Primetime, or an independent interview, it cannot be fake or contrived.
The change in Penn underscores the issue of setting expectations while promoting a fight, which ties back to what the fans will or will not believe. It’s becoming very easy to over-promise in this day, because the mediums exist for messages to be communicated repeatedly. The fans also have the tools to discover what’s more or less the real truth, and as a result, they can tune out whomever they perceive to be misleading. The long term effect of this is it makes it harder to get any message through.
Perhaps BJ has learned his lesson. He’ll be better for it in the long run, if he has.
I prefer the more sincere, subdued Penn that says all the right things in an interview. The way BJ used to hype fights, especially his UFC 94 fight, made him look like a spoiled child who didn’t respect the gifts he has been blessed with. His new image and attitude, while not as hype oriented, is definitely a breath of fresh air compared to the BJ of old. It will be interesting to see how it affects his marketability.
His new laid back attitude will be a good excuse to justify the rubber match when he loses Saturday. He can/will claim he wasnt aggressive enough. Then leadin up to the rubber match he will act like the out of control Penn of Old making everyone think he will win that time. I have seen things play out like that before.
Im not sure Diego can finish Penn. But i do pick him to win. Should be a hell of a fight either way. Penn can stop a takedown like noone else. But there is a reason that despite GSP and Hughes not being able to get him down early. He is still takedown at will late in fights. He cant keep up his takedown defense very long. He dont have the cardio or the muscle endurance. I feel Diego will push the pace and Penn wont be able to keep up. The one reservation i have about this pick is Sanchez hasnt looked as good at 155 so far as he did at 170.
You’re thinking of a rematch, not a rubber match.
Whoops. Sorry about that. Its hard enough to post a message from a phone i cant be expected to make it readable. lol
I agree with BrainSmasher!
I prefer Penn to act like Penn. But maybe this “subdued” Penn is just part of his whole pendulous personality. Whether he’s running his mouth or being less opinionated, all I’m really interested in is seeing him act the way he normally would. Diverse personalities are what shape the MMA field. The diversity of personalities and the diversity of skill sets go hand in hand, so I enjoy seeing everything from the objective controlled fighter to the crazy unexpected fighter to the fighter who will continue to shoot his mouth during the match (Nick Diaz, Frank Shamrock and recently Ben Saunders and I’m sure many others that I just haven’t seen yet)
Whatever side of himself Penn chooses to show in the future will always have people who love it and hate it, but I just hope he never again shows the side of himself that is petty and unsportsmanlike
Wow. Diego looked very weak. Not sure what that first big punch took out of him. But he didnt seem strong enough to lift the toilet seat. lol. He pushed the pace like i expected but wasnt able to get the TD to truely exert penn like he needed. Penn looked good though. Penn was just way to strong and fast for Sanchez to have any chance. After seeing last nights fight the best chance Sanchez had was to use leg kicks almost exclusively. Try to wear Penns legs out. Penn had to much hands speed for Diego to try any punch exchange.