UFC 94 Photos
B.J. Penn takes left from Georges St. Pierre during their UFC welterweight mixed martial art title bout Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009 in Las Vegas. St. Pierre won by TKO. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)
Eric Jamison, AP
B.J. Penn, left, punches Georges St. Pierre during their match at UFC 94 on Jan. 31, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Georges St. Pierre, right, punches B.J. Penn during their match at UFC 94 on Jan. 31, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Georges St. Pierre charges B.J. Penn during their match at UFC 94 on Jan. 31, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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B.J. Penn and Georges St. Pierre battle during their match at UFC 94 on Jan. 31, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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B.J. Penn tries to fend off Georges St. Pierre during their match at UFC 94 on Jan. 31, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Georges St. Pierre, right, tries to punch B.J. Penn during their match at UFC 94 on Jan. 31, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Georges St. Pierre catches the leg of B.J. Penn during their match at UFC 94 on Jan. 31, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Georges St. Pierre battles B.J. Penn during their match at UFC 94 on Jan. 31, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Georges St. Pierre elbows B.J. Penn during their match at UFC 94 on Jan. 31, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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St. Pierre battered and bruised Penn throughout the fight, and Penn's corner decided after the fourth round that it wasn't safe for him to keep fighting, so he didn't answer the bell for the fifth. On my scorecard, St. Pierre won the first three rounds 10-9 and the fourth round 10-8.
The 27-year-old St. Pierre improved his career record to 18-2 and showed not only that he's the best welterweight in the world, but that he has a good case for being the best mixed martial arts fighter in the world regardless of weight class. Most pound-for-pound rankings have UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva and Affliction heavyweight champ Fedor Emelianenko ahead of St. Pierre, but that could change after tonight's showing.
Up next for St. Pierre is a welterweight title fight against Thiago Alves. Up next for Penn is a move back down to lightweight, where he'll defend his belt against Kenny Florian.
In other UFC 94 news, light heavyweight Lyoto Machida had his most impressive fight to date, knocking out the previously undefeated Thiago Silva at the end of the first round. Some UFC fans complain that Machida's elusive style makes for slow-paced fights, but it's hard to argue that after what Machida did to Silva tonight. Machida may very well get a light heavyweight title shot against Rashad Evans next.
St. Pierre and Machida were the only fighters to finish their opponents, with the other fights all going to decision in what started out as a lackluster show. But the dominant performances by Machida and St. Pierre, two of the sport's best fighters, gave UFC 94 an explosive ending, with St. Pierre's destruction of Penn giving the show an exclamation point.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
2-01-2009 @ 1:12AM
Baby J Penn (PSN johnnynumber5) said...
You have to give BJ credit for moving up a weight class to fighter another champion. There is nothing for him to be ashamed of. GSP is a much larger human and is an athletic specimen.
If GSP moved up to middleweight and beats Anderson Silva we can call him the best pound per pound in MMA. As of right now I have to Fedor #1, Silva #2 & GSP 2A
Ever since BJ got knocked stiff by Matt Serra he has turned into a very boring fighter. I love MMA but seeing a guy on top for 5 minutes and not have the ability to get a TKO or submission is boring. The same reason I don't like Lyoto Machida because he is just boring as hell to watch.
For the fighters it's only about winning the fight in the end. As a fan there are certain fighters and styles that don't excite me.
I have to give up to BJ because after RD 1 he did get completely dominated and never stopped working hard. GSP is a beast man and is much to big & talented for BJ to beat without fighting a perfect fight.
Cograts GSP & machida
Congrats to BJ Penn - You are still a hero to lots of us and we won't ever stop supporting you. Can't wait for you to destroy Florian.
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2-01-2009 @ 1:41AM
Don said...
I never remember Bj getting knocked out by Matt Serra. I think you should check your information on that comment.
2-01-2009 @ 1:49AM
Don said...
As a matter of fact BJ beat Serra by decision when they fought in 2002. Penn did lose to Matt Hughes but he was not knocked stiff by any means.
2-01-2009 @ 2:10AM
Baby J Penn (PSN johnnynumber5) said...
You are right ... For some reason I types BJ instead of GSP ... That section was meant to say GSP instead of BJ. My mistake.
2-01-2009 @ 2:12AM
Baby J Penn (PSN johnnynumber5) said...
That paragraph was supposed to have read like this ...
Ever since GSP got knocked stiff by Matt Serra he has turned into a very boring fighter. I love MMA but seeing a guy on top for 5 minutes and not have the ability to get a TKO or submission is boring. The same reason I don't like Lyoto Machida because he is just boring as hell to watch.
Thanks.
2-01-2009 @ 12:40PM
ROB209 said...
BJ PENN WAS BORN WITH A SILVERSPOON IN HIS MOUTH.YOU WANT TO GIVE HIM CREDIT FOR MOVING UP.HE WASNT A MAN AFTER THE FIGHT HE WOULDNT EVEN GIVE A INTERVIEW.HE JUST A LITTLE MOMMYS BOY AND HAD TO FLY HOME. SPIKE TV SHOWED THE REAL BJ PENN NOT TRAINING JUMPING OUT OF TREES LIKE A MONKEY.AND HIS FAMILY MEMBERS LYING ON THE PHONE TO DANA WHITE.
2-01-2009 @ 4:55PM
lvpl1 said...
First, BJ Penn was not ko'd by serra... The second fight with St. Pierre was due to bj penn whinning and shyte talking St. Pierre about the first fight. These two are one inch in height difference with BJ 3 years olderthan St. Pierre. BJ called St.Pierre a bitch and also stated for GSP's traine to go play withhimself and go FK. HIMSELF on INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY T.V. BJ talked his shi* and got toally humiliated. This is what he gets! GSP never disrespected BJ at all. How anyone can support these shi* talking disrespectful fighters shows they are ghetto minded also, just like the boxing scene, Judah, maryweather,hopkins etc. all ghetto mouthed and racial overtones haters, then you have classy fighters like both Klitschko brothers, Calzhage,Hatton,Pavlik,Byrd, Anderson Silva,Machida, fighters whom talk in the ring and with a respectful disposition and quality of character. BJ got what he deserves as he is ignorant, disrespectful and trash talking. He cant even stand in the shadow of GSP whom is the icon of class, like the Klitschko brothers...! Fedor and Mirko cro-cop Flipovic are stand up guys too ...
2-01-2009 @ 1:20AM
jesman543 said...
i know b.j would get ko i hate that ass he thinks he is the shit lol his cornor dident let him fight after the 4th round what a ass kicking he got
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2-01-2009 @ 7:14PM
blessed0314 said...
Only BJ Penn fans can say that GSP isn't the best pound for pound fighter in the world. Come on people did you watch him destroy BJ? WOW!!! Masterful is the only word that comes to mind. He made it look easy over one of the best in the mma world. BJ needs to talk less study and train more. Hope he doesn't talk as much BS in his next fight (Kenny F.). Boy he must feel like such an ass. LOL!!
2-01-2009 @ 1:37AM
Eric said...
Much like Shogun, I keep giving BJ the benefit of the doubt that his cardio will be better than previous fights.
I know that GSP is a bigger fighter and that contributed to BJ getting tired, but lets face it ... BJ was only fresh for about 1 round. He held his own on the feet, in the clinch, and GSP couldn't pass his guard in the first round. After that BJ was done.
If Sean Sherk had wrestled with him and not attempted to box, we would probably have a different lightweight champion right now.
No disrespect to BJ who is a great fighter and a courageous guy, but I was very disappointed with his performance. We see smaller guys fight larger opponents on a regular basis in MMA, and they don't always tire as quickly as Penn.
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2-01-2009 @ 1:55AM
nitrayn said...
All I have to say is I was pulling for Penn, cuz I never liked GSP. I always consiered him a great m-m-artist but just didnt like him. The spike show made me like him more and more each week. The thing that got me is Penn calling him a bitch and a quitter, and that he(GSP) will think Penn is "god" if he(GSP) thought fitch was a terminator....then Penn leans up against the cage...QUITTING LIKE A BITCH. Talk about eating your words
2-01-2009 @ 2:10AM
wildpack69 said...
I respect both of the fighter for having the guts to go in fight but at the same time when you talk all that bullshit about "wanted to kill GSP and I'm not joking about that!" like bj said
I know they have to build the fight but come on
is build as the best fight in years and and he getS DESTROY! Even GSP in the loss to Matt he was graceful a sign of a champion he didnt talk about killing serra before or after the fight even on the rematch, to me that's a true champion I'm not a fan of GSP but i respect him but bj talks and dont back it up
in my view he just loss part of his "legacy" as a fighter.
I respect him for having the guts to go in and fight but thats it next time bj just shup ut and fight!
I bet white really upset about him losing he's always saying "he's the prodigy, he's the most gifted fighter ever " well as....e white tell your prodigy to just be quiet and fight ok.
Reply
2-01-2009 @ 2:18AM
Baby J Penn (PSN johnnynumber5) said...
More than anything I think BJ was doing that for himself. Also, if you remember things really heated up after that first episode where Penn was shown in a bad light for being lazy. BJ needed to say those things to build up his confidence because if you remember BJ was the one that asked for the GSP fight after the GSP/Fitch fight.
BJ is a very grounded and humble person but like anyone he isn't perfect and has his own character defects to work on. I still don't see Florian hanging with him.
BJ even moved up to Light Heavyweight to fight Machida in Japan where he was on a UFC hiatus. He never backs down from anyone.
All I have to say is that GSP is turning into the guy who's fights I will start to avoid. It's hard to root for a guy that fights as boring as he does. Not taking anything from him as a fighter but I don't want to see 10-15 minutes of wrestling with no punches or kicks being thrown.
2-01-2009 @ 2:13AM
timex1133 said...
like i said before the fight G S P words of wisdom. penn u need to stay in the lightweights where u dominate with class good luck to ya
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2-01-2009 @ 2:57AM
scorpi808 said...
Dam BJ can talk smack better than he can fight...
saying f in this and dat in the shows and how he is going to f up gsp...i like bj but he after this showing he only sounds like a punk now....
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2-01-2009 @ 4:02AM
odurdh2k said...
bJ stay at lightweight. youre not ready to make that flame switch. youre to weak bro. you got owned tonite. the only way to win another belt, is to go to wec to fight in 145. sorry bro.
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2-01-2009 @ 4:05AM
odurdh2k said...
gsp needs to move up on weight!!!
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2-01-2009 @ 4:22AM
Matthew said...
ok here is how I see it... Bj penn is now lying in his bed thinking for about 20 min about how he had to have his brother quit for him, and how he's about to F himself... I like the way Gsp's trainer said its going to be nice to see BJ Penn eat his words and swallow all those razor blades.. yep thats what he is doing now. For being a prodogy and WARRIOR he sure did loose every single round, and demonstrate kiddie level ju jitsu. Gsp had a perfect performance and the only reason he did not get the knockout, which near the end it was nearly stopped a good 3 times, was because he scrambled enough to make it to the bell to have his bro quit for him. Look at his fight with joe daddy stevenson, then look at Florian's fight with the same guy. I am 100% sure BJ Penn will loose to Florian looking at those 2 fights. Bj pen has very little cardio and warrior fight that his whole state says he has. I see him turning into a frank mir, Gsp vs anderson silva? I would have to give it to the spider, but I would definatly not rank Fedor #1 in the world, he's not fighting the best in my eyes, brock would distroy him with very little skill, and I could name a few others too. Bj penn thanks for giving everyone who hates crap talkers the best night ever now eat your words and loose untill dana cuts you.
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2-01-2009 @ 7:51AM
yumiegrl3 said...
I love Dana White, he is sexy! Anyway, I like all the MMA fighters, I was disappointed how Nogueira lost to MIR, I expected a better battle but Mir was my call. BJ Penn is like that punk on Ultimate fighter 93, Junie Brownie, who got his ass beat by the Mexican (forgot his name Hecho en Mejico). Anyhow Thiago Silva is nothing like Anderson Silva. I want to see Matt Hughes fight the somebody worth fighting. Love MMA
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2-01-2009 @ 8:33AM
eddie902 said...
Matt Hughes should retire...great career but he's done. Thiago Alves has a puncher's chance vs. GSP, but a longshot at best. Anderson Silva best pound for pound, followed by GSP. Fedor will be beaten as he's limited in height and reach.
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