BJ Penn Is Da MAN!
May 27th, 2008 by World Wide EdOn Saturday, BJ Penn’s flying knee knocked the living daylights out of Sean Sherk, making us reminisce about what he did to Caol Uno back at UFC 34. What impressed me more was not the victory over the former lightweight champion. It was his actions after the match.
As announcer Bruce Buffer proclaimed his victory, we saw BJ yell “Mahalo Kakou!” And as Joe Rogan interviewed him, he repeatedly sent love and thanks to Hawaii, even making a comment about how expensive gas was in Hawaii, but that he was still thankful for his fans who flew in to watch him fight. Talk about loyalty!
The best way I can describe it is that BJ Penn keeps it real. He never forgets where he came from and does his part to represent Hawaii with pride. You can see it in everything he does. From his entrance music, when he walks out to Israel Kamakawiwoole (a mix of “Hawaii 78″ and “E Ala E”), to his clothing, covered in everything Hawaii, to the way he surrounds himself with our local people. He is always proud to rep our island home, and we are so very proud (and lucky) to have BJ Penn.
OK, I think you’re convinced already that I’m a BJ Penn fan. Without further ado, here are scenes from my UFC 84 BBQ Parrrtay. Enjoy!
This is how I roll… *grin* (P.S. Welcome back Primo!)
“Put me on the Advertiser!” LOL!
Bacon-wrapped Scallops
BJ making his way to the Octagon. Dig my official UFC poster?
What did you think of BJ’s peformance? The card overall? And is it just me or is Penn’s face made of metal? I’ve never seen him bruise or bleed. What the?
P.S. Don’t forget to enter by this Thursday for your chance to win FREE Movie Pass Giveaway to You Don’t Mess With the Zohan!
Tags: bj penn, Israel Kamakawiwoole, Jiu Jitsu, MMA, UFC, ufc 84
May 27th, 2008 at 7:21 am
I thought it showed BJ’s versatility, winning by TKO instead of submission. (That 3 inch reach advantage was huge.) Sherk said it best after the fight when he called Penn the “triple threat” in MMA. I def want him to fight GSP. However, he should be obligated to defend his title again before doing that. What I also liked was how in the media frenzy leading up to the fight he would mention how he changed his ways from being a moke and foolin’ around to becoming serious about his sport. Something all the wannabe MMAs in Hawaii to model after.
I watched it at a local Hooters up here and 90% of the crowd was pro-Penn. (Prob mostly Hawaii expats like me.) I have his entrance music uploaded to the audio section of my xanga.
May 27th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Yeah, was neat to hear of the outcome, front page Advertiser and all. From what I’ve been hearing since Sunday, it seems the MMA world has a combination of stunned disbelief and high respect for Penn regarding this outcome. They probably want to know how he trains, too (Penn better do more promos about how he hails from Hawaii before someone not from here decides to start saying, “oh, yeah, jogging around a volcano’s been part of my regimen for a long time already. Yeah).
And, yeah, to echo what frankie (is that the poster formerly known as franksabunch
?) said, friends I talked to on the mainland mentioned that Hawaii folk living there seemed to gravitate to the bars, all gathered. Reports of people indifferent to the fight itself cheering for Penn.
There was a discussion on the Rob (DeMello) and Russ (Yamanoha) show on AM 1500 this morning about regulating the sport. Well, I didn’t realize the whole thing was “unregulated” until they started talking about how corporate can come in and nudge out the small promoter.
In any case: 1) I hope the sport can at least keep its identity that we know and love; 2) I hope it can remain — relative to other sports — scandal-free, which is what I like about MMA as well.
I didn’t see the fight. Saw Indy, though. Wish I saw the fight instead, methinks, heh.
May 27th, 2008 at 9:20 am
i agree with the above comment…ever since bj penn got into the whole “if you disrespect the game, the game is gonna disrespect you” mindset he’s become a force to be wreckoned with.
for me penn vs gsp is up there as one of my dream matches…along with couture vs fedor.
now where can i get one of those “penn for governor” shirts??
this is not bj penn related…but what do you think about the jens pulver versus uriah faber fight on WEC??
May 27th, 2008 at 9:27 am
GumbysHorse: I’m totally looking forward to that fight. I’m interested to see how Urijah does against someone with Jens’ pedigree. He already showed he could hang with a vet like Jeff Curran, so I think it should be a good fight. Nothing against Urijah, but I think I’ll be rooting for Jens, just because he’s Jens.
And what about Kimbo’s fight this Saturday night?
May 27th, 2008 at 11:13 am
Why, yes, greasy chicken one, I am the poster formerly known as franksabunch. Haha… Just thought I’d stop using my blog name since HA isn’t my blog network. =D
After watching Faber fight on TV, I think he has a very good chance at beating Pulver. Faber is versatile, younger, a cardio beast and he’s fighting in his hometown. Pulver should’ve came through with his promise to train in Hilo with BJ Penn, then maybe I would’ve given him the upper hand.
On the other hand I’m getting a little tired of the Kimbo Slice mania. Dana White was right not to give a street brawler who made his living protecting porn producers a contract with UFC right off the bat. He’s just a ghetto version of Bob Sapp. I say put Kimbo up against Fedor or Couture and it’ll be pau hanas for his career.
May 27th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
* frankie: I’m sorry, what was that about Kaiser again? I didn’t quite hear you.
And yeah, that history-in-the-making EliteXC fight on CBS should be interesting…
* Chicken Grease: You’re like the 4th person I heard give bad reviews to Indy. Sounds like a disappointment.
* GumbysHorse: Agreed on ALL points (BJ refocusing and becoming a force, Penn vs. GSP and Couture vs Fedor being dream matchups, and the Penn for Governor shirts! LOL! RE: Jens Pulver vs Uriah Faber, I think Jens is gonna get owned.
* Daniel: Pulling for Jens eh? Ah, we’ll see. You never know…
* frankie: Yeah, my prediction is that Faber will be too much for Pulver. Too quick, too strong, just plain too much. Pulver’s only weapon is his left hand. RE: Kimbo. I dunno, he looks pretty tough/wicked, and he’s been training hard with Bas this whole time and seems focused and dedicated. Granted, they have been putting him up against 2nd tier opponents so far, but hopefully, he’ll get tested one of these days and prove that he’s the real deal. We’ll see eh?
May 27th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Uh…Ed?
Can you please keep it down over there in Mauka on the next fight???
Two cents for you E-money.
* It’s amazing how after each fight, the two combatants go from wanting to kill each other to the best of friends! How can any human turn off the emotions so fast?
* Did I win the tickets yet???
Just throw them over the wall please.
May 27th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Hahaha! I said it in the post prior to this one! But because I’m a man of my word….Kaiser rules!
(I just threw up in my mouth a little saying that!)
May 28th, 2008 at 9:53 am
its’ the best sport in the WORLD. MMA that is. Those that never trained in martial arts will never know. it looks violent to the casual fan but when it’s all said and done you can still shake hands and be cool.
the comment about how fighters can turn up or turn off their emotions. Well, the answer is: one has to train to know about this. Martial arts is about discipline, respect, and self control. The real fight is against yourself. Being in control of your body, mind and spirit. to never give up in face of adversity.
May 28th, 2008 at 9:56 am
WEC this Sunday.
My pick is Urijah Fabre!
it looks violent , it’s a fight but it’s still a sport with rules.
May 28th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
* Dave Vinton: Sorry about that. I was screaming (like a little girl) at the top of my lungs after watching BJ win!
* frankie: LOL! Don’t hate! Appreciate.
* affliction and Affliction: WORD!