BJ Penn may have returned from UFC 112 as a former champ, but that has not deterred any of his fans from lining up in book stores to purchase his latest release “Why I Fight: The Belt Is Just an Accessory”. Penn landed in Southern California this week to promote his book and initial reports suggest that the sales have been doing quite well. Here is a fans account of the book signing from user cagefightonacid on BloodyElbow:
BJ Penn finished his book tour signing in Torrance, California yesterday (Monday, April 19, 7pm). I got there about 3 hours early and ended up about 300th in line. BJ showed up about 10 minutes early and stayed until every single person got their book signed and picture taken (probably around midnight). He came off as really humble, was super nice and kept thanking all the fans personally.
Sports Illustrated writer Josh Gross was also on scene, and expressed his experience on-line:
Amazing fan response @bjpenndotcom‘s book signing in Torrance. 600 copies sold out hours ago. http://tweetphoto.com/19165179 … Could’ve sold 2000 books. People are buying copies from other stores and bringing them in. Line out the door. Pretty impressive.
While Penn’s book has had early success, it has not come without controversy. Josh Gross reported in a recent SI column that UFC President Dana White was not too thrilled about Penn’s book release since it was being published without the UFC’s approval. The book was co-authored by 36-year-old freelance writer David Weintraub, who took most of the heat from Zuffa and allegedly lost his job in the process. Josh Gross reports on the issue:
White told SI.com that after he became aware of the book, he approached Penn and Penn family lawyer, Gary Levitt, with a question: “Why would you put out a book that is 90 percent not true?” …
“I’m very happy I wrote the book but I’m also very disappointed the UFC decided to force my employer to cut me loose,” said Weintraub, who alleged UFC executive vice president of operations and production Craig Borsari told Exit 9 Films that Weintraub was “no longer welcome to work for the UFC.”
David Weintraub has allegedly issued a statement on the Sherdog forums:
I do not really post much on public forums, but a lot of people I know mentioned to me that people were discussing BJ’s new book, and even giving him a hard time about having not read the book. So now I’m posting.
BJ and I discussed his life for hundreds of hours, starting when I lived in Hilo for many weeks in 2009, to multiple phone discussions, skype chats, and countless texts/emails, etc. As the two of us put this book together, going over it as we went along, large parts of it were exchanged between myself, and Penn. When a final manuscript was put together, BJ went through it again, removing and adding parts he did/didn’t want in the text. I have physical copies of these papers with his handwriting all over it. This is how it works.
I want to clear a few things up about these books, which I’m sure most of you already know. It’s rare the subject of the book will ever actually type/write large portions of the book. Sometimes a subject will write up notes, and the co-author and subject will go over them together, but this is why you have a co-author in the first place.
In other words, BJ Penn without question read his own book, and more than once. He created this book. There is the semantic argument he “never read the book”, and yes, that’s true, when referring to the actual physical book itself. Under that standard, I’ve also never read the book. But obviously, we both read the text which became a book.
BJ responded to a Dana White text to him about the book, after White flipped out over it, and suggested he didn’t “read the book.” He wrote that because he was actually worried something ended up in the book he didn’t sign off on. It truly concerned him at first. BJ couldn’t understand what White was so livid about it, that he was replying as if he needed to go back and find out what it was. After realizing White was just being his caustic self, and being comfortable with everything in the book, he just blew off Dana’s comment. In fact, he has no desire to really address it because he thinks anyone who believes for a second he didn’t read his own book is ridiculous. I’m realizing quickly how many people like to dump on BJ (and support).
The part that really bothers ME when I hear stories like this one is how easily people will echo the words of UFC President Dana White after he makes such a statement. The UFC is not promoting the book in any way, and White has obviously done his best to discredit the book itself. For fans to take his words to heart, to actually believe them, is shocking. However, I imagine it’s much more of a small loud minority than the majority of interested people who actually do. I would think fans would support fighters over company presidents, but hey, that’s just me.
In the end I’m hopeful people enjoy the book. It’s as honest a book from a MMA fighter as you’re going to read, even if you disagree with the opinion of Penn. This book is not my opinion in any way, even if I lost my job doing freelance work with the UFC because of it. It’s BJ Penn’s book, and love him, or hate him, I can assure you it’s an honest assessment and perspective of his life.
Finally, people have commented that fighters and athletes shouldn’t be writing biographies while they’re still relevant. I don’t completely disagree with this line of reasoning, but with MMA/UFC, a fighter’s shelf life is short. If Dan Severin wrote a book right now I wonder how many people would buy it, or if the companies he fought for would promote it. I doubt it. I don’t think Kobe Bryant should be writing a book now, but his situation is completely different than a MMA fighter, to use an example.
Because of the nature of MMA, especially when you think about the contentious relationship fighters have with organizations, writing these books is important now. It’s not the same in baseball, football, and other large sports, as it is for MMA. Fighters don’t have a large voice, especially in the UFC. The organization will always do whatever they can to be bigger than the fighters. Dana White himself has said, “no fighter will ever be bigger than the UFC.” With this being the case, you cannot fault fighters who are trying to be heard now, during a time when media will actually pay attention to them.
I am doing a radio show today in New Jersey at 4pm Eastern. It’s not MMA based, but mostly news based. However, if anyone has questions regarding this book I would certainly be willing to answer some of them, and would entertain MMA questions about anything. Having spent over 6 years with UFC, I certainly believe I can answer some.
…
Hope those of you who read the book enjoy it. After all, it cost me my job!!!
Thanks,
David Weintraub
Here is an excerpt from BJ Penn’s book, which BloodyElbow quoted:
“K-1 was offering me $187,500 per fight – five times what the UFC was offering – and I was still willing to stay with them for one-third of that amount. This was when the relationship took a turn for the worse, and my view of White changed drastically. From that point on, I knew when it came to money, we couldn’t trust him to treat us right. Did I like him at the dinner table? Sure. But at the negotiating table? Not at all. The pressure to perform and safeguard other people’s money had changed him, even though he was constantly bragging to anyone willing to listen about how ‘big this thing was going to be.’ Things between us would never be the same.
When it was finally official I was going to fight in Japan, White called me up and told me his true feelings. ‘You mother******! You’re ******* done! You’ll never fight in the UFC again! You’re finished. You’re scorched earth, mother******. Scorched earth. Don’t call me crying saying you want to come back because you’re ******* done!’ And on and on and on, like a true professional – even going so far as to tell me I would never see my face again in a UFC video, promotion, or anything else. He also planned on removing my fight with Hughes from the UFC 46 DVD so no one would even know who I was. ‘It doesn’t have to be this way,’ I told him. ‘You know it wouldn’t take that much to make this work.’ But he just kept yelling.
UPDATE: BJ Penn’s “Why I Fight” book is now on the New York Times bestsellers list (BJPENN.COM)
Payout Perspective:
The controversy surrounding BJ Penn’s book will only help boost his sales, perhaps to the ire of the UFC. Word is getting around that Penn wrote a candid take on his experiences with Dana White and the UFC, which would explain why Zuffa may be upset. Either way, this book is filled with great stories and juicy tidbits of how not only BJ Penn as a fighter has grown and evolved over the years, but MMA as well. The great stories, insight, and juicy tidbits will make this a great read for most fans and should make this tour a success venture for BJ Penn.
Dana White is a douche – of course he wants the sport bigger than the fighters – but I wouldn’t be watching the UFC if it weren’t for their collection of my fav fighters period.
This “rant” in B.J.’s book sounds pretty darn accurate, not sure what Zuffa is mad about.
Dont see what the big deal is. BJ screwed the UFC years ago agreeing to a contract to get a shot at the belt. After winning the belt skipped the country like Lee Murray. Dana White like we all know and most respect tells it like it is. He told Penn what he thought of his cheap move. As proof of BJ coming back it was nothing that couldnt be fixed. Dana got it out of his system and moved on and has done a lot of Penn by givining him a platform to self promote.
People need to realize the situation at the time. Penn wasnt the star he is now. He didnt deserve the money K1 was paying him. If he can get it fine. But the UFC shouldnt have been expected to match it. He pulled off an upset and held the belt for ransom. Causing the UFC to strip him, create a new champion and fight a long legal battle. At the time few people were on BJs side. Both acted unprofessional. For BJ to drag this back up for his own personal greed(book sales) shows the same line of thinking that created the mess to begin with.
UPDATED:
BJ Penn’s “Why I Fight” book is now on the New York Times bestsellers list … from BJPENN.COM
How’s BJ being greedy? Because BJ and his co-writer were honest, this book has had no UFC support, and the co-writer lost his job. That’s money lost. Furthermore, BJ just lost his title, if his current contract runs out and he’s not the champ it wouldn’t be unfathomable for Dana to cut ties with him because of the book. That’s also money lost.
Thing is, this doesn’t change peoples’ opinion of Dana or BJ. Noone’s going to suddenly stop liking one over this. If they are that easily influenced by Dana OR BJ shame on them.
Brain,
” Dana White like we all know and most respect tells it like it is.”
Disagree…as usual. Dana is a loudmouth promoter. Promoters are like politicians, they see the truth as flexible, to be bent to their will. Dana is as honest as Don King and Bob Arum. No more, no less.
” I would think fans would support fighters over company presidents, but hey, that’s just me.”
Agree, and yet Dana is the best known person in the UFC. Which is as ridiculous as Don King being better known that Mohammad Ali. Or Bob Arum being better known than Manny or Mayweather.
I dont support fighters over “company presidents” when said president is in control over the future of the sport. Im not a fan boy like most of the tools on the net. I like the sport of fighting. When i was younger and first got into the sport i have a favorite fighter who got me into the sport. But that fighter for the most part is gone. I dont have favorites just guys i like to watch fight. I am a fan of the sport not the fighters. I have always believe that fighters having to much control kills the sport. That is the major flaw in boxing. They always want more money, they want a 20 ft ring instead of 24 ft. X brand of glove, fight in this location, fight on HBO not Showtime, Fight once a year only, they choose who they fight. Thats why fights like FMJ and Pac dont get done. The fighter with the most leverage dont wnt to risk all the fame he has got by losing.
As MMA fighters fame increaes it becomes unavoidable it follows in the same path as boxing. When Brock Lesnar can make more money promoting himself than being under the UFC banner. HE would leave the UFC or ANY promotion. Choose his own fights, avoid anyone who could beat him. Put guys you never heard of on the cards with him to save money, then hand pick the rules to increase his chances of winning.
Promotions having control is the ONLY reason why you get fights like Shogun vs Machida, Aldo vs Faber, etc Its also why UFC 116 will have fights like Chuck vs Franklin and Cro Cop vs Barry. 116 has only 3 fights announces and it has more names than a boxing card would ever give you.
Bob,
You can look at it how ever you want. It was in a way greed. I was originally talking about the situation talked about in the book not the book itself. But BJ put that info in the book to create sales. Its like Jose Canseco accusing everyone of roids in his book. HE did it for sales and money. There is a reason you have to buy Jose’s book to find out about it and why the same is true for Penns story on White. Neither were going to give this story away for free. Penn has his own website and does tons of interviews, etc. IF he wanted to tell everyone this it would have been known long ago. He released it now to create book sales. Basically he dont care to stir up trouble with the UFC as long as he makes some money off it. Sound a little like greed to me.
Like i said before i dont see the big deal. Penn screwed the UFC over big time and cost them a ton of money. Dana White told Penn off as anyone would have done in the situation. A year or two later they both moved on and are working together. This is everyday life. Its funny its become such a big deal. If Dana was so bad and Penn wasnt deserving of the tirade. Then he would have never come crawling back to the UFC. So obviously he wasnt as butt hurt as he lets on in the book.
BJ Penn’s website is saying his book is on the bestseller list but I don’t see it. I hope his website has a moderator – seems like someone may be posting false information.
Brain,
Then we agree that we should support promotions. I think that’s the way to go – however I don’t think that we should support only one promotion which is what you suggest. The best markets – for employees and consumers – are competitive. If the UFC is the only show in town, fighter salaries will get pushed down and the best athletes will find something to do other than MMA.
The only way to avoid this in a monopolistic system is with a strong fighters’ union – which does not exist today in MMA, and is not even on the radar. That’s why I root for and support SF, Bellator, Dream and yes, even Sengoku. The more options fighters have the better for the sport – until such a time as the fighters have more power to dictate terms and ensure they get taken care of.
Look at how much money Manny makes vs. how much UFC fighters make. It’s not close to the same, although PPV buys for his fights are similar to the top rated UFC events. The difference goes to Zuffa. (I know that’s a simplification, but it’s basically true).
Brain,
Your point that Brock could leave the UFC and fight a bunch of cans might be true – but if Brock did no one would watch and he would soon stop making money. Markets work – it’s the reason Mayweather is fighting Mosley and it’s the reason Mayweather/Mosley v. Pacquiao will happen…eventually. It’s also the reason the Klitschko’s are finally fighting better competition. No one cares when they fight cans (except a few Germans). And it’s the reason Showtime put together the Super 6 tournament, which rocks by the way and everyone should watch.
You are being very over dramatic. With 1 promotion fighter pay will not be pushed down. Fighters will not fight for nothing and if there was ever a point where the UFC payed WAY less than they should there would be no shortage of wealthy people ready to jump in and steal the talent. But the UFC has not done that and never will. There has been no indication they would during the short time there werent a competitor. What would happen is it would slow down the rising athletic pay that is killing other sports. With noone to drive up prices it wont increase so rapidly. Thats a great thing. The NFL is going to go on strike after this year. The other sports are in trouble. Baseball already had a strike. The leagues are and half already created contract limits for rookies because they got out of hand. Inflated pay kills the sports.
The difference dont go to Zuffa. You want to make them out to be the villian. Zuffa with this money promote ALL events. Not just the ones with the names of the guys who draw the money. Money Brock made goes to promote Silva who has always been a poor draw. Not only are they promoting events all year round to benifit all their fighters as opposed to Maywether putting all the money in his pocket and telling all other boxers to go to hell. Zuffa also stack cards compared to boxing cards and pay lower level fighters more than equal level boxers. On top of this they fight legal battles for the sport like lobbying in NY for the benifit of the sport. Would any 1 boxer pay millions to help the sport of boxing? No, its everyone for themselves. The UFC essentially takes the money from the upper level guys and puts it back into the sport. Which is why the UFC and MMA is striving and the sport of boxing outside the 5 biggest names is dying.
Yes more promotions are better for the fighters. But i will never put fighters over the sport and the fans.The more promotions the more spread out the talent. The fans dont get to see the fights they want which is why we have been arguing fighter X vs Fighter Y which wont happen maybe ever. Its no coincidence that promotions going under has given us the greatest fights than any point in MMA history. WFA went under so the UFC got Rampage. Pride went under and the UFC got Cro Cop, Silva, Shogun, Nog, etc, IFL went under and the UFC gets Nelson and all their best fighters. Multiple promotions makes MMA a house divided. Its able to stand but its got a weak foundation.
Yes people would tune in to watch Brock fight bums. The same is happening in boxing. Look at how many people watch Pacs last fight verses a guy noone felt could beat him. It was just an easy payday. Pac had almost 800K buys to watch his fight a no name boxer. Same with Maywethers fight. Mosley isnt what he used to be. So with people paying to watch them fight guys they know they can beat and still make 10 mill. Why risk that 10 paydays for a fight you might lose? They wont. If maywether loses then his stock takes a huge hit. Pac being the smaller guy wont be hurt as much. But both will take 10 mill for a sure thing than 15 mill with lots of risks. Thats the nature of boxing when fighters call the shots.
Brian,
Look at where Jake Shields is today – he wouldn’t be there if there was only Zuffa. It’s because of SF that he is going to be able to cash in big. Likewise Dan Henderson was able to cash in (for better or for worse for the promotions) when Zuffa didn’t want to pay him. Likewise Werdum, etc. There is no doubt in my mind that average fighter salaries would be much lower with only one promotion than they are today with various promotions. It’s not being dramatic, it’s well established economic principle.
The Pacman-Mayweather fight will eventually happen because the market will reward the fighters involved. And the fact that Pacman is fighting people who can’t beat him is a function of his dominance in the sport – just like GSP and A. Silva – rather than the demise of boxing.
I agree that we don’t want MMA to be a house divided, but I think the way to strengthen that foundation is for cross promotions, rather than a monopoly. My position is certainly debatable (hence the debate) but based on my experience I think I’m right. I don’t believe in monopolies, I’ve never come accross (an unregulated) one that served it’s employees or it’s customers well. They tend to serve only the owners.
I don’t make Zuffa to be a villains, they are hyper-aggressive competitors, which is good for them, but I question if an all out Zuffa victory is good for the sport.