It was November 20, 2010, at The Palace of Auburn Hills and BJ “The Prodigy” Penn (16-10-2) had finished the legendary Matt Hughes in just 21 seconds.
That was the last time that Penn walked out of the Octagon victorious.
After a long, prosperous career in the game that saw him compete in five weight classes, defeat many all-time greats, and win titles in the lightweight and welterweight divisions, Penn has hit a snag. Since his knockout victory over Hughes, “The Prodigy” has fought only four times and has posted a 0-3-1 record.
He fought Jon Fitch to a majority draw and had losses to Nick Diaz, Rory MacDonald, and Frankie Edgar in that stretch. That is absolutely spectacular opposition that Penn was facing, and he took some time off to get healthy and contemplate his future.
After deciding to return, even getting to fight night was a rocky road. Since announcing his return after his latest defeat to Edgar, he has been forced to withdraw from two scheduled matches. The first, a bout against Cole Miller at UFC 199, which Penn pulled out of after being notified of a potential USADA violation for the illegal use of an IV. He was then scheduled to face Ricardo Lamas in the Philippines on a Fight Night card but pulled out due to injury.
And now, at age 38, he will headline UFC Fight Night 103 in Phoenix, against one of the hottest prospects in the fight game. Enter 24-year-old Yair “El Pantera” Rodriguez (9-1). The rising featherweight star has emerged as one of the most dynamic strikers in the division. He has drawn significant attention in his past two fights, securing a highlight-reel head kick knockout of Andre Fili and an exciting decision win over UFC veteran Alex Caceres.
The UFC now has a rising star in Rodriguez, who has shot up to No. 10 in the featherweight rankings, one of the most talented weight classes in the world. But he has faced no one that is the caliber of Penn, regardless of his old age. The MMA legend has now moved his training came to the decorated Jackson-Wink MMA in Alberqerque, New Mexico to try to tap into the skills that brought him so much success.
In his prime, BJ Penn had very few holes in his game. He is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and also has shown a terrific stand-up game. But as we discussed earlier, “The Prodigy” has shown some decline in recent years, including the brutal beating he suffered at the hands of Edgar in his last fight. If there is one gym that can bring Penn back to prominence, though, it is Jackson-Wink. The gym in the capital of New Mexico is considered, by many, to be the best MMA camp in the world.
The gym in the capital of New Mexico is considered, by many, to be the best MMA camp in the world. Head coaches Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn are both excellent teachers in all facets of the sport and have worked with countless great fighters in their day.
For Penn, he is facing a big challenge. He is slated to return from a long layoff to face a young, exciting striker that could knock him cold if things go wrong. There is little room for error for the old dog, but if this fight goes to the ground, Penn could certainly pull out a victory.
For Rodriguez, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. He has the chance to go out and put a huge name on his resume in BJ Penn and has the skill set to beat him. At 5-11, Rodriguez has a height advantage and an advantage on the feet with this version of Penn. His powerful taekwondo ability has translated well into MMA striking, and he can put on a show. An excellent performance against an all-time great could elevate him into stardom, and another big fight.
This fight has much uncertainty surrounding it. Penn’s track record is one-of-a-kind. The Hall-of-Famer has nothing more to prove in this game. But the love of fighting keeps him going. He has little to gain, from a legacy standpoint, in beating a 24-year-old fighter, but doing so would still be very impressive. And it is also dangerous. Rodriguez is electric and could make this a short night.
But BJ Penn doesn’t know how to take a soft touch fight, and that is what has made him so great. Even in his late thirties, the former two-division king has his eyes on the crown in a third weight class. Beating a top-10 guy would allow him to take a step closer to that goal, and the opportunity to make even more history. Penn has always had an indomitable will, always looking to fight the best, showing us what this great sport is all about.
These types of contests usually go one, of two, ways. One being that the prospect emerges as a contender at the dismay of a declining legend. The other being that the veteran shuts up all doubters proving that he can still get it done. Who knows how this will go?
But both possible outcomes would make this one special night. But something just doesn’t feel right about saying an active legend hasn’t won in over six years. Here’s to a great fight and great night on Jan. 15.
