BJ Penn just wants to Fight; Belts don't matter anymore

BJ Penn has been the most frustrating fighter above all others in the UFC.

Limitless potential, incredible skill, and the Hawaiian still hasn’t figured out the right recipe in order to become a dominant champion. His prowess is obvious, as he still remains a prodigy before his time, earning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt within just a few years into the game, winning tournaments, transitioning into mixed martial arts and holding both titles in the lightweight and welterweight divisions, BJ Penn will be remembered for some time.

However, after succumbing to his second consecutive loss to current lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, in an uninspired performance which saw the former champion drop a land slide of a decision to the New Jersey native, BJ Penn should have the right motivation when he steps into the cage in November to face rival Matt Hughes.

“That fight (UFC 118, Frankie Edgar), I don’t know why I ended up performing the way I did that night”, said BJ while speaking with Fighters Only Magazine.

“I would think that if I was out of shape, that I would have been like fast and explosive in the beginning and then fell off. You know, under-trained people, they really go hard and then they kind of just hit a wall and drop off, but I think it was a little of none. I don’t know why I didn’t perform very well that night. I know I didn’t perform very well that night, and I guess I just got to keep fine-tuning and keep adjusting until I find what works for me.”

Now with the bout behind him, BJ has Matt Hughes to look forward to. The two have faced off twice before, splitting victories. Penn originally got the better of Hughes 6 years ago at UFC 46, when he was able to submit the powerhouse wrestler inside of the first round. It was Matt’s first loss then in 3 years, and snapped a 13 fight win streak and five successful title defenses.

When the two met again in 2006, though, it was a whole different story. After a dominant round turned in by BJ in the first, the momentum changed and Hughes was able to take control for the next couple of rounds. Eventually in the third, Hughes was getting the better of Penn on the feet, eventually working the bout to the mat, and was able to secure a crucifix on BJ, and pounded him out for the TKO victory.

So, needless to say, BJ still harbors some animosity, right? Wrong.

“I have compassion to fight Matt Hughes. We are, in a way, rivals I guess”, said BJ concerning his relationship with the UFC Hall of Famer.

“If you would have asked me 6 years ago if I like Matt Hughes, I probably would have said ‘no’. If you were ask me today, I would probably say ‘you know what–I have closer friends, we’re not close, but there’s not anything I wouldn’t do for Matt Hughes if he ever asked me’. Time heals all wounds, time changes things. I’ve got no animosity towards Matt Hughes whatsoever. What I do have to do is go out there and beat the sportsman, that is Matt Hughes, and that’s what I’m preparing to do”.

With no animosity within him, BJ still appears to be motivated to fight, none-the-less. While belts and titles come and go, one thing remains the same, Penn want’s to keep the fire burning inside him, and whether he holds another championship is irrelevant. If that is all that he desired, then he might as well hang it up now.

“I told JD (older brother and manager) if our goal is to do nothing else but to get the UFC championship and do nothing else, then we might as well stop now”, said Penn.

“We’ve had the UFC championship a couple of times, we have some belts at home. I don’t want to be that guy anymore. I don’t want to be trained for the two big fights, the three big fights a year. I just want to fight consistently and kind of do it. Get my name out there, and keep it out there and hold on”.

So, MMA peeps, what do you make of Penn now? He’s the most on and off fighter that pops to mind, but probably also the most talented. What do you make of his chances against Hughes at UFC 123? Can he still pull it out and make another run at the top? Sound off in the comments section below.