There is a common link that ties Anderson Silva, Georges St. Pierre, and BJ Penn, the top three pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC today, and it shows how Penn has an advantage over St. Pierre. That link is Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida.
The camp is split on Machida; one side sees him as boring, the other as a supremely gifted athlete. He may not be everyone's cup of tea. Nor does he finish fights in destructive fashion. But he wins; and he wins every time, no matter who the opposition is.
He figures out their fighting style and has a game plan beat them. He's defeated strikers, wrestlers, BJJ practitioners, brawlers, and ground-and-pound fighters. The son of a karate master, Machida has been training since he was 4 years old; he was a black belt at the age of 13. He is also well-versed in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and sumo.
Machida is currently undefeated as an MMA fighter, with a record of 13-0. Not 3-0 or 5-0; 13 wins, zero defeats. Those 13 wins aren't bums found hanging around Kimbo Slice's backyard. Machida stopped Stephan Bonner inside of the first round in only his second fight! In his next fight he stopped a fighter by the name of Rich Franklin a minute into the second round. Wins over BJ Penn, Vernon White, Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou, and Tito Ortiz are also on his hit list.
Machida is, in my opinion, one of the best pound-for-pound fighters active today, and possibly the most complete mixed martial artist. It isn't what he does; it's what he doesn't do. His economy of movement is incredible. There are no wasted shots or take-downs, no loss of energy from looping punches or head kicks that aren't necessary.
When he throws strikes they land. He's very much like Randy Couture in that aspect, yet Randy is Captain America, the fan's favourite, while Machida is a boring backpeddler.
There's a reason we won't see Silva vs. Machida, and don't kid yourself that it's because they're friends. Professional fighters don't have friends. They have bank accounts. Money talks and bullsh*t walks.
Up until May of this year, along with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, they trained together. They know each other well, and Silva knows how good Machida is. Machida has fought his own brother in competition. His own brother! If the match were made, he would fight his friend. Silva won't fight Machida because it's a fight he can't win.
I've seen a lot of posts saying if the Silva-GSP superfight does happen, that Silva will win because he's just that little bit better, and I'll repeat: Anderson Silva will not fight the Dragon.
BJ Penn moved up to face a fighter four weight divisions higher than his in Machida, and Machida could not finish Penn. He won, and a win is a win is a win, but he couldn't stop Penn. Penn moved up to 190 pounds and Machida was 207 pounds. Like everyone else, he couldn't even drop Penn (except for a wicked leg sweep, another example of Machida's tools), yet people think GSP will win by knockout or TKO.
As I've said, Machida started training at 4 years old. BJ started at 15, seriously at 17. Penn ate at Burger King, trained on his Xbox, and relaxed at nightclubs. Machida's been training since he was old enough to walk, and he couldn't stop Penn. That's not bad going for a fat out-of-shape time-waster with no dedication.
One of the most lingering memories of Penn is him sidestepping a Ralph Macchio-impersonating Caol Uno, then moving in as he landed and slapping him into the next county. Round One, 11 seconds, it's over. A long time ago, yes, but that isn't the issue here. What is the issue is that raw animalistic killer instinct, and it's back in full effect.
comments (47) write a comment »
write a new comment
about 1 month ago
A little shout-out to Brian Oswald for having a quick read, making a few edits, suggesting a few things, and for coming up with a much better title than the one I originally had. Cheers, Brian.
from about 1 month ago
This story should have been called "Machida is uber-great, he could not stop Penn - therefore noone can"
Because of mistitle I want my 2 minutes back PLZ
about 1 month ago
GSP will defeat Penn with ease. Machida will beat Penn again. GSP has an even chance to defeat Machida.
from about 1 month ago
I'm sorry but I have to disagree with you on that Joseph. BJ Penn will prove to be the best pound for pound fighter in the world now that he is focused and serious about fighting. Many people including myself thought that Penn beat him the first time that they fought. BJ Penn has fought top fighteres from lightweight to heavyweight and never been dazed. Penn is a borned fighter and unlike GSP he has a killer instinct like no other. GSP took him down and held him there for rounds two and three after He had GSP almost out in the first. Smothering Penn worked when BJ was out of shape it will not work this time. I do think that Loyoto Machida would beat them both but I'll guarantee you this BJ would be the only one of the two that would take the fight.
from about 1 month ago
Money back guarantee Mike?
from about 1 month ago
I doubt that anyone on the planet could beat BJ Penn with ease and I doubt that GSP can beat him at all. GSP would never move up 35lbs and fight Machida. GSP is a giant at 170 and that is one of the reasons that he is so dominant. BJ probalbly couldn't beat Machida either but he has the chin to stand in and fight with him. I don't think that GSP has the greatest chin and he knows it. Since Serra's lucky shot it seems like GSP knows not to stand and bang too long without taking the fight to the ground.
from about 1 month ago
Maybe like Dave Kaplan BJ can get Tom Lawlor to test his chin.
about 1 month ago
I think you did a solid job in your first article Jay. I am glad to see you finally wrote your first one! I was glad to help edit it and I think you had an original angle. Now lets discuss your theory.
BJ moving up that much weight to fight Lyoto shows just how crazy and how good he is! People may or may not like him. That can be debated all day long. But what cant be debated is that he is a natural and naturally really really good. So BJ went on to lose a close decision to Machida. No shame in that at all.
But just one year later he goes on to fight GSP and he loses a close split decision. I am not sure your official stance on that fight by the way. Did you think he got robbed? I know everyone has their opinions on it. Regardless, BJ lost to GSP one year after losing to Machida. And he went on to lose to Hughes right after. It was the only stretch of losses in his career outside of the Pulver loss.
That is the past though and I think both GSP and Penn are different fighters. They are both at the top of their game in my opinion. Penn was dominant over Stevenson and Sherk, they never posed a threat to him.And GSP looked equally dominate against Fitch, Koscheck, Serra, and Hughes twice.
I will let people debate which a more impressive list. I think was interesting that GSP couldn't finish off Fitch of Koscheck but BJ has gone through stretches where he didn't' finish fights either. The fight between them is really hard to pick.
In the end I can't see either one TKOing or submitting the other. I think both are just two good to let that happen. If I gave the edge to one fighter to pull out a TKO/submission it would be BJ but in the end I think Georges is superior MMA fighter. And he is much more mentally strong then when he tapped to Hughes. He may not be the better "artist" but like you said he works so hard and he will outwork BJ for a decision win.
Anything can happen though now that we officially know its for the title and ts going to be 5 rounds long vs 3 rounds! Let the debates begin...
from about 1 month ago
"BJ moving up that much weight to fight Lyoto shows just how crazy and how good he is! People may or may not like him. That can be debated all day long. But what cant be debated is that he is a natural and naturally really really good. So BJ went on to lose a close decision to Machida. No shame in that at all."
I totally agree, BJ moves up to light heavyweight, takes on a heavyweight and still can't be stopped? Personally I don't count that result as relevant as far as wins and losses go, for either fighter.
I don't think he's crazy for what he does (although I suspect you didn't mean in that way), the UFC always was based on different sized and styled fighters, Gracie Shamrock being the perfect example. A fight in a bar doesn't stop because 1 person arguing is 10lbs heavier than the other. BJ likes to test himself, and as Joseph has previously commented in several articles the weight classes have stifled the competition we see nowadays (oh, for the days of the Pride openweight tournaments, and Silva getting the top of his skull removed by CroCop's left shin).
As for GSP Penn 1, Penn didn't get robbed. He lost. That's the problem with letting it go to a decision. Anyone that didn't see that fight and didn't know the result would log on to an mma site, see the picture of the 2 of them at the end and presume GSP got beaten like a rented mule. Georges had no answer for BJ that whole fight, apart from to take him down and smother him. It worked, and fair play to him. At least he did that, if BJ stood in front of me and said he wanted to bang I'd probably start crying.
from about 1 month ago
Thank god they confirmed it as a 5 round title fight! Now BJ will have 5 rounds to punish GSP again, or gas, or get bored, or end the fight via animal instinct. Either way, I cant wait!
from about 1 month ago
Now, I did say I wouldn't convince you that GSP will lose, but are your doubts any bigger?
from about 1 month ago
No =)
Obviously BJ Penn has all the talent to beat GSP. And when you watch their first fight there was not alot separating them, hence the split decision. On paper it should be be one of the best, most evenly matched fights ever. BJ has the desire/motivation/focus to beat GSP, something he has lacked in the past, and it ended up costing him. BJ is at the top of his game, and does have that killer instinct, and I would not be shocked if he won. I was shocked when Serra beat GSP but I wont be shocked if BJ does it.
Anything can happen in any given fight. I have been visualizing how Penn might beat GSP when they fight. If it goes to a decision I see GSP outpointing Penn. And I can visualize Penn getting a T(KO). I dont see him being able to pick apart GSP like he picked apart Sherk. And I dont see him chocking out GSP like he chocked out Stevenson. So thats where I end the debate in my mind.
Help me visualize, in specifics, how you see BJ winning. Is it by T(KO), by a Choke, or by Decision.
Paint a scenario and how the fights ends, in your opinion. If you can do that then your good!
from about 1 month ago
Should have read: Cant visualize Penn getting a T(KO).
about 1 month ago
Trying to follow this article I found it that the connections you made betweed the four fighters was loose and unclear. The second half about BJ vs. Georges though I enjoyed and agree with you on some aspects.
about 1 month ago
I have my own reasons, and agree with you as to why BJ will defeat GSP. The Machida aspect is an interesting one. I saw the fight and also recognized BJs ability to take some heat. I think where GSP will really push BJ will be the pace of the fight. That has to be paramount in his training, keep up the pace. I wonder if BJ anticipates that. He is too smart not to. As for the fight, I can not wait!!!!!! I believe in my heart BJ has what it takes to beat GSP. Time and a fight will tell if I am right. I hate rooting against GSP, he is one of my favorite fighters. A true class act. But when it comes to BJ, I have no other loyalties. Its simple for me. GSP should win this fight, but I doubt he will.
from about 1 month ago
How do you see BJ Penn wining the fight: T(KO), Submission, or Decision?
from about 1 month ago
If I were to predict, I say he will have to defend takedowns and win a stand up battle. Fighting GSP on the ground is an uphill climb, especially with questionable cardio, no matter what your BJJ credentials are. Wait, fighting GSP on the feet is ill advised to isnt it? Damn Brian, you got me. I do see more of a stand up fight though.
BJ has great hands, where as GSP is very quick to react and set things up, head kicks, knees etc. I dont see BJ falling for too much of that and winning a stand up fight. KO, I doubt it on either side. I think GSP is too crafty to allow a submission. BJ has bones of rubber so he wont be tapping to GSP.
Based on history though, I stand by the stand up argument. Who knows though right. This one is tuff to call no matter where you stand and who you want to win. Im surprised at all the talk of an absolute victory by GSP. Other than Hughes, Serra being a fluke, no one has given GSP as much trouble as BJ. Who has troubled BJ? No one I can think of. He really is the only one left to challenge GSP without GSP moving up himself.
Im salivating, I cant wait. If I am right about this, I will be walking on cloud nine, no one in my corner of the world is on my side for this fight, shoot, no one in any corner of the world is on my side, save the hardcore BJ fans. I stand to lose or make a lot of money on this one too. Ive taken a healthy amount of bets, I even gave one guy two to one odds. What was I thinking? I wasnt thinking, I was drinking. hey whats 50 bucks in the big picture though right. I might make 25.
from about 1 month ago
So you think BJ will T(KO) GSP? Perhaps like he did against Sherk?
from about 1 month ago
Ill tap and say yes. Of the two chins, on ability to take punishment alone, BJ wins that fight. Im not sure, if he has ever been knocked out, correct me if Im wrong, but I have never heard of that.
BJ has stood with big guys before as the story says. He is impossible to be taken down if he chooses not to be, and his stand up is sharp. Randy Couture said he trained with him once and he was difficult for even a guy of Randys size to take down and even if he went down he never stayed there.
So yes, TKO by BJ due to strikes. I think his boxing is better, GSP has great muy thai though. Now I have to stay true to that opinion. Mabye Ill write another underdog will win article like my recent Randy one. ill let the fight get a little closer though.
from about 1 month ago
by the way, I understand BJ has been stopped, but I meant knocked out cold, Sean Salmon style.
from about 1 month ago
I'll tag on the end of here, Brian, instead of that mini-convo were were having further up.
Since you're putting the BJ fans on the spot, I'm going to put my money where my mouth is, and say Penn, submission, 4th round, and it'll be a direct mistake by GSP that causes it. The RNC is an obvious choice, as is the kimura or armbar, but I won't be shocked if this fight is so close that BJ pulls something spectacular out of the bag, like an omoplata or triangle choke from inside his own guard.
from about 1 month ago
I made yall both tap huh! I love this thread we have going here. I am by no means a GSP homer as I really respect both fighters. And I know both of you like and respect both fighters, would wouldn't?!
BJ certainly has developed a flair for the dramatic and knocking out or submitting GSP would definitely be that. On your prediction Jay, you being specific made it easier to visualize that happening.
For now I will stick with my boring GSP decision win but we shall see what happens over the next 2 months. Great comments guys.
from about 1 month ago
I'll be even more specific, Brian. :)
I see this fight going pretty much the same way as the first. BJ will outstrike GSP, I have no doubt about that. Penn's BJJ abilities overshadow the other facets to his game. He is a superb stand-up fighter. I highly doubt he'll knock GSP out, but he'll soften him up with strikes.
As I stated in the article itself, GSP has trouble finishing people that are of a high skill level. Matt Hughes was starting on the slippery slope the second time they fought, and we'll probably all agree that Matt Serra is not an elite athlete, in the UFC at least. He couldn't finish Koschek and he couldn't finish Fitch, and got visibly frustrated because of that. He'll do the same as he did in the first fight, and take Penn down, only this time, because of the controversy over the first fight, he'll be pushing to finish this one. I don't see an armbar, he's progressed since Hughes caught him, and I'll be surprised if he gets caught in one ever again, but he'll end up in BJ's guard, as he so often does, with his hips foward and his arms splayed out to hold his balance while he uses ground-and-pound, and, combined with his frustration, he'll put himself into a bad position without realising it. That's where BJ will catch him, and possibly with something surprising, hence the omoplata or triangle choke.
from about 1 month ago
It is totally irrelevant. But last night I had a dream that BJ knocked GSP out cold. Im sticking with it now. Had myself a vision I did, the truth about the future has been revealed to me by the MMA gods. Do not mock the gods. You will suffer.
about 1 month ago
This fight is sure to garner a lot more attention following UFC 92 on December 27. And I'll be one to say I have no idea who I'm going to pick for this one. There are so many ways each of this fighters can win, it makes for a very difficult prediction. I'm glad it will be a title fight so we can enjoy five rounds instead of only three.
Interesting read. I'm not sure the whole Machida angle worked because he has never faced GSP. But I'm sure there will be MANY more articles forthcoming in the next couple of months...
about 1 month ago
A well written article but i don't agree with your theory. You can't decide who will win a fight by who beat who beat who. If that was the case rashaad evans is on the same level as ortiz. yet ortiz got destroyed by liddell (twice). but liddell got crushed by evans. so is evans as good as ortiz who's worse than liddell who's worse than evans. aww this makes no sence.
good article man
from about 1 month ago
What you said makes perfect sense, and you're right. I just brought in the Machida link to add a little something extra to the debate. I just expanded on MMA maths, and we all know that doesn't work, but this article is all hypothetical anyway. Until BJ submits GSP at the end of January. ;)
from about 1 month ago
You have made an excellent point. It says a lot for your intelligence that you can see through the faulty thinking being used as fact. I applaud your good sense in not drinking the "Liverpool" kool-aide.
from about 1 month ago
yeah, at first, i thought the article was on Machida. Just with a bad title. I read further and got the connection. You should've continued the story on the dragon and saved gsp vs penn for another article. You really had me hooked.
about 1 month ago
*sense
about 1 month ago
Forget the Machida/BJ fight.
And speaking of Machida, I do not find him boring. He is not a runner. He is not a lay-and-pray. He is Martial Arts specialist like no other at 205 right now.
I just don't think BJ has has the all around tools to defeat GSP right now. GSP has a few more hammers in his MMA box. But that's the beauty of MMA. Despite some unnecessary rules in the UFC, we never know how these fights will go.
about 1 month ago
Oh . . . I . . . can . . .not . . . breathe . . . for . . . laughing . . . so . . . hard! Mr England Jay, you, sir, have a real future in stand up comedy! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! When was the last time I laughed so hard at an article NOT under the Humor category? Most likely--NEVER! Mmmmmmmmmm. So satisfying, now all my endorphens are kicking in and I feel sooooo much better. Thanks for the big unexpected dose of humor--you and your cohorts rock, even if you can't spell i.e. "borned." Excuse me, I can't stop laughing!
about 1 month ago
Great article.
about 1 month ago
This article was flat out brilliant. The mind and heart are the strongest muscles in the body, and that's where GSP is weak. Like you said, he tapped one second before the bell in a title fight. During the staredown in that fight, GSP was so nervous that he couldn't even look Matt Hughes in the eye. In the Matt Serra fight, you can see that GSP tapped out when was getting punched in the face. That's the heart of a champion right there.
Everyone knows that BJ Penn would never tap out to an armbar (as if anyone could ever get him in that position), especially not with one second left. He would also never tap out while getting punched. In the second fight with Hughes, BJ took 40 flush shots to the face and barely blinked. And of course, BJ had to injure himself in order for Hughes to even land those shots.
from about 1 month ago
Ha, ha, ha! BJ had to injure himself! ROTFLMFAO!!! You huggers are priceless! bjhadtoinjurehimself--OMG!
He won't have to injure himself January 31, 2009.
from about 1 month ago
What??? I can't hear you over the sound of Matt Serra's knuckles bouncing off GSP's head, and GSP slapping the mat like a girl.
about 1 month ago
I have been saying since they first fought a rematch should take place
something notably happened to Penn, he dominated the first round, looked eh in the second, and in the 3rd, GSP was pretty much a lay and pray fighter
Penn versus Machida was EPIC!!! though
first to Penn running out to the song "I'm coming out" and then going the distance
he took serious punches that tossed his face from side to side and he never looked rocked for a second, he always pushed forward
and to this date Machida has said Penn was his toughest fight
BJ fighting Sherk was like him back in the goold old days, he demolished Sherk using only his jab, and when he saw the moment, he hit him with a flying knee, and dove on him like he did Caol Uno.
Im a GSP fan, i love watching him fight, he makes exciting fights, but i think Penn is going to roll over him, hes gonna land an overhand, shoot in, and its gonna be the fight once GSP is down
about 1 month ago
Good article Jay but i completely disagree with your theory,
The Perfect example of how your idea just doesnt apply to MMA would
be the Triangle of Chuck Liddell / Rampage Jackson / Wanderlei Silva
Now Silva defeated Rampage TWICE and Liddell beat Wanderlei who then LOST to Rampage
if your theory was accurate then Liddell would have beat Rampage based
on the fact that he beat Silva who dominated Rampage.
If MMA has taught us anything, its that past matches count for nothing
its about where the fighter is Today
about 1 month ago
I agree with Rich, your theory is flawed because you focus on BJ Penn's match with Machida and somehow equate that to "GSP can't beat Penn." It is not that simple, another good example is LIddell loses a decision to Jardine, then Liddell beats Wandi. So Jardine should beat Silva right?? NO. Silva murdered Jardine. So Penn's match with Machida has no relevance to his fight GSP, especially considering the fact that it was him fighting at a higher weight class. This is a tough fight to call, and you did make some valid points, but the core of your article doesn't back up your theory.
about 1 month ago
Read up a few posts to Daris' comment, and my reply. :)
about 1 month ago
Thank you. BJ is my all time favorite fighter and it is nice to
see some devotion to him. A lot of people have lost sight
of BJ's talent through is personality, which is a mistake.
GSP (wow does everyone have a shortened name?), is great,
both as a athlete and in marketability (besides being French-Canadian).
But as far as the fight is concerned BJ is better than he has ever been.
Even if his stamina was a problem it's not anymore. His striking is
off the chart. And of course on the ground no one has a shot, black belt or not.
I see it as BJ with a submission because GSP will take it to
the ground to prove a point.
AS I said though, I'm glad to meet a BJ fan like myself.
ps take that Dorothy.
BJPENN.COM
from about 1 month ago
Actually, neither GSP nor BJ has submitted a black belt in the UFC.
from about 1 month ago
actually what i said was no one was going to submit BJ black belt or not
which he has not been.
about 1 month ago
It has been a while since I felt I had to comment on an article, but you got me going with the miss leading title of the article, and that's just for starters. Also let me say thank you to those of you who pointed out the flaw in this line of though you had as far as why GSP can't beat BJ by pointing out some of the other fights like Chuck/Silva/Jackson ect...
I thank it is fair to say that we all have are favorite fighter/fighters but it seems that almost everybody is going for BJ. I think everyone of you BJ fans needs to open your minds and watch the first fight with an open mind and no byes opinions about GSP. He did win the fight the first time. And please no excuses as to way he lost. BJ Penn is a pro fighter and has no one to blame but himself. Lets face it he was not injured our unhealthy in any way before the fight and lost. Had this fight been the other way around i'm sure you would all be taking about how dominate BJ was, but this is neither nor their.
Last, stop bring up way these fighters will not fight each other. These fighter you mention are in different weight classes. BJ and a few others move up and down for there own reasons. I say focus on the fight in front of you and stop praising BJ like he is the messiah of MMA. He can be beat and has.
about 1 month ago
fedor has been beat. all will happen and will. what we say is bj is "on paper and in head"
is the best. bj is a natural . why can't we praise both fighters for what they are. i like
both but bj is a favorite of mine. as some may think the mets rule.
no need to be bitter.
thanks jay for the great article.
about 1 month ago
ANT"PHONEY ASCUE,(AKA)..JAY BLACKBURN,ANTHONY POLE,ASH,RICH,DOUG...GEE HE CAN WRITE AN ARTICLE AND COMMENT ON IT AND GET POTD AND FIVE STARS ALL BY HIMSELF..GREAT JOB ...Penn will be the Pilsbury dough boy by the time he gets to fight gsp or machida(again)..both these guys have beat him once!! SO WTF??...what is the UFC turning into prideFC?? how many times do you have rematches when there was a clear winner(NO SPLIT DECISION FROM MY STANDPOINT)..gsp has evolved and penn has regressed..get the picture?
(YOU ARE MUCH BETTER AT STAND UP COMEDY)
about 1 month ago
I CAN SEE BJ WINNING THIS ONE BY ANOTHER CLOSE DECISION....THEREFOR A BJ VS GSP 3 SUPPERFIGHT WILL HAPPEN...MAKING IT THE "Gatti/Ward OF MMA..
/THANKS STOKER
write a new comment