UFC Undisputed 2010 BJ Penn Trailer

Here’s the full-length BJ Penn-UFC Undisputed 2010 trailer via IGN.com.

 

BJ Penn Helped CNN Cover The Tsunami

Check out BJ Penn helping CNN cover the tsunami that thankfully didn’t hit Hawaii yesterday.

 

Brock Lesnar Has A Fathead…

 

Lauzon: ‘There Is A Lot Of Structure And A LOT Of Hard Work Going On’ In Hilo

I have only been around for a couple weeks but I can see why BJ has looked so great in his last few fights. Marv and Gary Marinovich are on top of things here. Last time I was out it was a much looser training regiment but that is no longer the case. There is a lot of structure and a LOT of hard work going on around here. BJ amazes me all the time because even when I think he can’t get much better, he continues to find new ways to make big jumps in his training. I say all the time that I think BJ is the best pound for pound fighter in the world, and his continual progression is the reason he stays on top…On top of all the great stuff I have learned to do from Marv and Gary… I have really learned a lot of things NOT to do. Apparently I am not much of an athlete… because I do pretty much every activity with the worst form they have ever seen. I have horrible flexibility and I am just a nightmare. As Marv put it though: “Imagine what you will be able to do when you become a real athlete.” I guess that just means I have a lot of room for improvement, right? I have made good improvements compared to how I started out though. I will have a LOT of time to improve on things before August rolls around anyways.

—Joe Lauzon blogging about the positive changes in BJ Penn’s training camps

The Marinovich brothers have truly had a profound impact on the way BJ Penn prepares for his fights and his career as a whole. It was the missing ingredient that allowed him to reach his potential and push his ceiling even higher. Penn has proved he’s far above of the rest of the pack in the lightweight division, but the time is coming, perhaps sooner than anticipated, when Penn will return to 170 lbs. and make another run for the welterweight title. He found success there before, but hit a brick wall twice against Georges St. Pierre. I was completely against a third GSP-Penn fight, but if the Marinovich brothers can keep Penn performing  at the same level he’s been performing at 155 lbs., I’m down to see him try one last time. He’ll have to earn it though, no immediate title shots this time around.

By the way, props to Joe Lauzon for taking Marv’s remarks in stride. I’m sure a lot of guys would have told him where to stick it.

 

UFC 112 Official For Abu Dhabi, Press Conference Pics

UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi

The UFC announced UFC 112 yesterday at a press conference held in Abu Dhabi. We didn’t really learn anything new other than the event will be held outdoors at the Concert Arena in Ferrari World (artist’s rendition) on Yas Island. Both Anderson Silva and BJ Penn will put their title up for grabs against Vitor Belfort and Frankie Edgar, respectively, and Renzo Gracie will make his UFC debut against Matt Hughes. The event will be held on April 10. Check out more pics from the press conference on the UFC’s official Facebook page (login required).

 

Round 5 Announces UFC Series 2 Figurines

Round 5 Series 2 Figurines

Round 5 unveiled their second collector’s series of UFC figurines today. This set includes Randy Couture, Kimbo Slice, Forrest Griffin, BJ Penn, Tito Ortiz and Michael Bisping. They will be available for purchase in retail outlets in the second quarter of 2010.

 

BJ Penn Back In Training For Frankie Edgar

BJ Penn isn’t wasting any time getting back in shape for his April title defense against Frankie Edgar. He’s already back in Hilo training with Marv Marinovich. Who would have ever guessed that Penn would go from one of the UFC’s worst conditioned fighters to one of its best in such a short amount of time? Those Marinovich brothers are something else.

 

Diego Sanchez Moving Back To Welterweight?

Diego Sanchez

Only days after Diego Sanchez’s devastating loss to BJ Penn, Diego was already talking about a rematch. However, it seems that the reality of the situation is finally setting in, because Diego is now hinting at a move back to the welterweight division.

Heavy in the sense of what weight class he will next compete in. The New Mexico native on Sunday night left a somewhat cryptic message via his Facebook page stating “going back up to 170.”

When contacted by MMAWeekly.com, Jeff Clark, Sanchez’s manager, indicated that there has been no official decision made at this time about what weight class he will compete in next.

It’s definitely a tough decision Diego has to make. On one hand, Diego made the move to lightweight because he couldn’t make it to the top in the welterweight division, but on the other, he has to know he is a long ways off from another title shot at 155 lbs. as long as BJ Penn is the champion. Still, barring any monumental upsets, it’s pretty much inevitable that Penn is going to give 170 lbs. another shot and probably vacate his lightweight title when he does. Since Diego couldn’t reach his goal at welterweight, maybe he should just wait out Penn’s lightweight title reign and make another run when he leaves.

Image via Sherdog

 

Dana Confirms Penn vs Edgar, More From Lorenzo On Zuffa Sale

Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta made the media rounds in NYC today to talk about their sale to Flash Entertainment.

 

Nate Diaz Wants To Move To Welterweight

Nate Diaz vs Gray Maynard

“I fought like garbage and I’m sorry to my fans for my performance. I was hesitant about throwing hard punches because I kept thinking he was going to go for a takedown. It looked like I was knocked down in the second but actually he stepped on my foot and when I tried to back out I slipped. I really don’t think I’m going to stay at 155lbs. I don’t make enough money to have to drop this much weight so I’d like to fight at 170 and only go to 55’s every once in awhile. You know if you look at his face compared to mine right now you’d think there was no way he beat me in a fight but I’ve never been too popular with the judges.”

—Nate Diaz, via GracieFighter.com, apologizing for his performance and revealing his desire to move to welterweight

Nate kinda has a point about Gray Maynard’s face, but really it was just a close fight that could have went either way. In fact, FightMetric scored it a 29-29 draw. Regardless, it’s no reason to do something drastic like move up in weight. As Cage Potato points out, there are some monsters in the welterweight division — Anthony Johnson and Thiago Alves come to mind — that have the potential to break Nate in half. At the very least they would negate every size and reach advantage Nate enjoys at 155. There’s no question Nate is talented and tough as they come, but he’s not his brother Nick, at least not yet.

In semi-related news, Dana White has confirmed Frankie Edgar will get the next title shot at BJ Penn instead of Gray Maynard. The interview should be up later tonight.

Below: Gray Maynard talks about letting Diaz get in his head and out of his gameplan.

Image via Sherdog