Georges St Pierre - Image: Zuma Press

During an interview with Yahoo’s Kevin Iole, BJ said “It’s just my opinion that he uses steroids. That’s it. My opinion. I do believe it. I can’t hand you any proof, but that’s my opinion.”

Another quote from Penn: “In my opinion, he doesn’t play by the rules when it comes to steroids and growth hormones and that stuff. Look at him. He’s the worst. He looks like that every day. That’s cheating. There is a reason why there are rules against using steroids. The rest of us, we get fat, then we train and get skinny and the cycle goes over and over again. He looks the same way all the time. Come on.”

While it is true that Georges St Pierre does look ripped all the time, that has to do with his work ethic and training regiment. Even when not preparing for an upcoming fight, GSP is in the gym training with a zeal that borders on obsessive compulsive. Even his vacations usually involve training – he spends a good amount of downtime in Brazil sharpening his skills with jiu jitsu experts and working out with them on the beach.

In short, all signs point towards BJ being completely off the mark. Throwing around steroid allegations without even a shred of evidence like this – especially at one of the most respected martial artists in the sport – is pretty insane and is likely going to cost BJ a lot of fans. But it might get him what he seems to really desire: a third shot at beating Georges. I don’t really see a point but if he wants to get his butt kicked again, I’ll tune in.

First though, he’ll have to make it through Kenny Florian this Saturday at UFC 101. You can read my breakdown of that fight here, and make sure to check out the EveryJoe MMA / UFC section regularly for more random drama and fight insanity!

Post from: EveryJoe

BJ Penn Accuses St Pierre of Using Steroids

UFC 101 - Image: UFC

This one’s for the UFC lightweight belt and has an interesting narrative behind it. BJ Penn just got pasted by Georges St Pierre a few months back … like to the point where he quit on the stool between the 4th and 5th round. How BJ will bounce back is a big question mark, especially considering he’s always been a bit of a headcase when it comes to motivation and training hard.

In Kenny Florian, BJ faces a decent challenge but it’s pretty much BJ’s fight to lose. There is no doubt that Florian will be coming into this fight more motivated and in shape than ever before. If BJ isn’t taking this fight seriously, he could find himself out muscled or horrifically cut open by one of Kenny’s trademark elbows to da grill.

Not only will this fight answer questions about BJ Penn and determine the future of the UFC’s lightweight division, it’s also pretty much guaranteed to be a great fight. Only one of Kenny’s last five fights has gone to a decision and for all BJ’s strange habits and actions outside the cage, he’s never a bore when he’s in it.

Here’s the rest of the UFC 101 card for your browsing pleasure. For more information on how to catch the card, click here.

Televised card:
B.J. Penn versus Kenny Florian
Anderson Silva versus Forrest Griffin
Amir Sadollah versus Johny Hendricks
Ricardo Almeida versus Kendall Grove
Kurt Pellegrino versus Josh Neer

Non-PPV prelim fights:
Aaron Riley versus Shane Nelson
Tamdan McCrory versus John Howard
Alessio Sakaraversus Thales Leites
Matt Riddle versus Dan Cramer
George Sotiropoulos versus Rob Emerson
Jesse Lennox versus Danillo Villefort

Post from: EveryJoe

UFC 101 Preview: BJ Penn vs Kenny Florian

UFC 101 Poster

After his win over Joe Stephenson, I’m eager to see where this match will go. Florian has carried himself a long way since his TUF days and has proven not to just be another fighter from the show that comes and goes.

“On June 7th I will be doing the color commentary on Versus for WEC 41. The event will take place at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California. WEC 41 will feature a featherweight title fight between Mike Brown and Urijah Faber.”

August 8th is going to be a strange day. Will we see the fall of B.J. Penn? Maybe the total destruction of Forrest Griffin or a Middleweight campion fall to a light heavyweight?

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Kenny Florian To Commentate WEC 41

Image: Newscom

BJ Penn moves back down to the lightweight ranks to defend his lightweight title against Kenny Florian, who beat Joe Stevenson in round 1 at UFC 91 to become the number 1 contender. Florian, also a TUF season 1 veteran has only 2 losses in the UFC. The first being at middleweight to Diego Sanchez in the TUF Finale. The second loss was to Sean Sherk in 2006. BJ Penn comes off of his upset loss in a controversial match against Georges St. Pierre.

So far these are the only two fights officially scheduled and announced by the UFC .

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Silva Moves Up To 205 To Take On Griffin

Kenny Florian Vs. Joe Stevenson (Image: Newscom)

B.J. Penn suffered a terrible loss against his last fight to Georges St. Pierre. Whether you think that Pierre’s lubed up back was a factor that kept Penn from winning is besides the point. B.J. Penn has a lightweight title to defend and Kenny Florian wants it. In a newsletter sent out by Florian, he stated:

“BJ Penn has been someone I have looked up to for a long time. He has accomplished
many amazing things. So I am looking forward to testing myself against one of the
greatest if not the greatest lightweight fighter in the world.”

So nothing is completely set in stone yet, but  UFC Co-Owner, Lorenzo Fertitta  said that it is likely to happen at UFC 101, which will now take place in Philadelphia on August 8th and not in POrtland, Oregon, where it was origianlly slated to take place. This should be an exciting fight to say the least.

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Florian: “I will Be Fighting BJ Penn”

Georges St. Pierre’s side already said he would fight Penn again and Penn has verbally accepted it. Here is a part of a blog posting at bjpenn.com by BJ Penn:

Being able to apply your submissions and sweeps or just being able to hold on to your opponent to defend yourself from being hit is absolutely critical! There is a reason why you are not allowed to put grease anywhere on your body except for the area around your eyes. Because of the grease applied to St.Pierre’s Body the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s executive director, Keith Kizer has stated that the Penn-St. Pierre fight “definitely wasn’t fair”. I hereby accept George St. Pierre and Greg Jackson’s challenge for a fight in the summer 2009. Lets call Dana now and set it up.

I, along with many people feel that he has an obligation in the lightweight division first. People, Kenny Florian to be specific, are waiting on their shot at that belt. There are also others waiting for a chance at the Welter Weight belt. I think it’s only fair to give those people that chance before signing any GSP Vs. Penn III fight. Hopefully Dana White will make a decision with contenders in mind and not dollar signs.

Image: Newscom

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GSP Vs. BJ Penn…A Third Time?

Diego Sanchez

During The Ultimate Fighter Season 1 I didn’t like Diego Sanchez. He had this certain cockiness about him, but they also made him look very unintelligent during the season. Sanchez proved that he was in it to win it during the show and came out on top with his win over Kenny Florian in the Ultimate Finale. Diego’s last fight was a win over Luigi Fioravanti at The Ultimate Finale 7.

Joe “Big Daddy” Stevenson has kept a good record since his win in The Ultimate Fighter Season 2 over Luke Cummo. With 6 wins and 3 losses on his UFC record, Stevenson is still a solid fighter. His recent loss at UFC 91 with a rear naked choke executed by Kenny Florian was an unexpected loss by many people although Florian has also proven himself to be a surgical jiu-jitsu fighter. I would like to see Sanchez Vs. Florian again soon.

Most thought that The Ultimate Fighter reality show would not be as big as it is and would not generate as much lasting talent as it has. The Ultimate Fighter has spawned some of the most talented fighters in the UFC and WEC. Although I’m sure there are many talented fighters still out there waiting for their “moment” in the big time promotions, TUF has done well to showcase many that deserve their time in the octagon.

According to MMAWeekly, Dana White confirmed that Sanchez and Stevenson will be the headliners for UFC 95 at the post fight press conference at UFC 92.

Post from: EveryJoe

Diego Sanchez Vs. Joe Stevenson At UFC 95

 

UFC has announced the the welterweight co-main event fight between Kenny Florian and Joe Stevenson at UFC 91 will be for the No. 1 contender fight foe BJ Penn’s lightweight championship.

The winner of the fight will be guaranteed a shot at Penn’s title after the Penn Vs. St Pierre welterweight championship fight at UFC 94.

Flooian goes in to this match with a victory over Roger Huerta at UFC 87 by unanimous decision. Before this fight happened Dana White said the winner of that bout would most likely get a title shot. However after Florian’s win B.J. Penn was scheduled for a fight for the welterweight title against GSP and Florian was scheduled to fight Stevenson who lost to Penn by submission early this year.

Read more about this at MMAJunkie

Image source: Newscom.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Co-Main Event Fight At UFC 91 To Be A Lightweight No. 1 Contender Fight

Other fights confirmed for the even are Dustin Hazelett vs. Tamdan McCrory and Kenny Florian vs. Joe Stevenson

Image used with permission from Newscom.com

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UFC 91 Tickets Go On Sale Saturday September 20th

(via MMAFrenzy.com)

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UFC Fight Night 13 Results