How Much Respect Has B.J. Penn Lost?

BJ Penn spent the run-up to his UFC 94 fight with Georges St Pierre talking tough: He took every opportunity to claim St. Pierre is a pretty boy who couldn't hang with a real man like him.

So just how much credibility does Penn lose now? Not only did St. Pierre whip him, but Penn responded by going to the Nevada State Athletic Commission with complaints about St. Pierre -- and he brought his mommy with him to the Commission meeting.

A lot of MMA fans are scoffing at Penn now. I'm getting e-mails from fans along the lines of what was said at Sherdog and Fight Linker: "BJ Penn is a warrior who will fight you to the death....as long as he has his mommy with him."

I also think Penn has lost a lot of respect in the MMA community because of the presence of his mom at Tuesday's Commission hearing. I have nothing against Penn's mother, Lorraine Shin, but I don't think it was her place to appear at the meeting, and I think it makes Penn look weak that he brought his mom along to fight his battles for him. I expect Penn, who is taking his sweet old time about giving Kenny Florian a lightweight title shot, to face a harsh reaction from the fans when he finally fights again.

And yet I also think Penn made some good points at the Nevada State Athletic Commission. In the above video he says that he just wants fights to be fair and safe, and that's reasonable. Penn was highly critical of his previous opponent, Sean Sherk, for using steroids, and I can't blame Penn for that at all. I just feel like the way Penn has gone about this GreaseGate crusade, he's made himself look worse than St. Pierre.

More videos from Tuesday's Nevada State Athletic Commission meeting are below. Here's Penn's lawyer, Raffi Nahabedian, addressing the Nevada Commission:

And here's St. Pierre's cornerman, Phil Nurse, explaining his actions:

Videos via Steve Cofield of Cage Writer.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-18-2009 @ 10:48AM

Paul Ortega said...

I never really enjoyed BJ Penn before and now i can clearly say that i have no respect for this big mouth. He was talking about killing & taking peoples spirits??? bunch of B.S.

3-18-2009 @ 11:34AM

Joeboymma said...

B.J. Penn is the real champ. And Phil Nurse...what a dumb ass. He should never be allowed to corner a fight again. I have lost just about all of the respect that I had for GSP. He's a great athlete but he's a cheater. That is all!

3-18-2009 @ 12:05PM

angelod27 said...

You must've just read articles about the fight rather than watching it. As any person with a brain could obviously see from the fight is that the alleged grease had little effect on the fight. Please tell me you cant honestly think this crybaby would have won regardless of GSP's "slipperyness."

3-18-2009 @ 1:52PM

Eric said...

angelod27 said ... "Please tell me you cant honestly think this crybaby would have won regardless of GSP's "slipperyness."

Whether BJ would have won or not isn't relevant. GSP's corner cheated. Phil Nurse should be suspended or barred & GSP should be fined, but as many have said the current rules don't allow for this - unfortunately.

3-18-2009 @ 3:53PM

rip said...

penn didnt loose any respect because this is exactly the type of person i thought he was. gsp dominated him. i'd love a third fight, just to watch gsp beat his butt again and listen to what excuse penn comes up with.

3-18-2009 @ 4:58PM

where am i? said...

I think Penn is doing what he needs to.

Watch the fight. Any dry man who gets put in the triangle GSP was in during the 2nd, would have been caught. But he just kept slipping out.

Plain and simple.
Whether he meant to or not, GSP had an unfair advantage- and because of that, Penn wants something to happen.

3-18-2009 @ 5:16PM

even Phil Nurse says he did it, and "in hindsight, I was wrong"
Plain enough- fight should be changed to a No Contest.

3-18-2009 @ 6:05PM

dry? if you just fought a round nobody's dry, except for maybe machida. if you rolled in just a pair of trunks you'd know that. penn was beat because gsp is far superior.

3-19-2009 @ 12:15AM

Bissy Boy (PSN johnnynumber5) said...

The simple facts are that GSPs corner cheated. Nurse even admitted it was the case. At that point the outcome is irrelevant because it's a tainted win. Should be ruled a NC. This is nothing new for GSP and rumors of him "greasing" have been going around for 3-4 years now.

As far as BJ's legacy or what people think about him: Most people don't like BJ Penn anyway. The people who do like him are reaffirmed in that he got a raw deal.

Anyone who heard Nurse knows he is double talking, being evasive and lying. It's so blatant that if BJ were Chuck, Forrest, Rampage or another popular fighter there would be outrage. Because GSP is a beloved iconic MMA figure and Penn is seen as an big mouth people want to use this as a chance to bash him. Nurse is admitting he CHEATED!!! How can everyone act as if it's not important.

Before these videos surfaced I would have said that no penalty was in order but after hearing Nurse lying out of his ass I feel something needs to be done. If MMA is to be taken seriously as a sport this type of behavior can't be greeted with comments of "Penn is just a mammas boy who got his ass beat." Look how Margaritto's reputation has taken a beating after he was caught cheating before the Mosely fight. The only reason we don't see that outrage here is because people LOVE to HATE BJ Penn. It's sad that cooler heads can't prevail because it will devolve into juvenile name calling.

3-19-2009 @ 6:14AM

Paul said...

GSP kicked his ass. Wether "greasing" went on or not; the outcome would have been the same. GSP always "postures-up" when in someone's guard. GSP also had Penn in "side-control" often and most of the shots that Penn took to the head were from both of these positions--few came from being down on Penn in full-guard; which would have been the only time that "the greasing" would given GSP an advantage. Penn has a right to ask the Commission for a hearing, but he can't ask to win the fight--he lost and it is over--when he fights Kenny Florian, let's see what happens there. "Fight to the death" and he cries about "greasing." A bit strange to say the least.

3-19-2009 @ 9:24AM

Sodapop Ty said...

Huge Prodigy Fan going into the fight but i must admit Bj took a L here. He did eh ok i guess in the 1st round but was no where near as dominant in the stand up in comparison to the 1st fight. Rush won this duel hands down,BUT,BUT! anything can happen on the ground and if you know even a little bit about mma then you know sweat makes you slippery yes but adding too much grease is going to make you nearly impossible to grip. I do think Rush was on his way to a W no matter what but if fair is fair,the bag of douchness Phill Nurse admitted that he well... cheated. now a NC is in order. GSP did nothing wrong tho, he jus whooped my boy. plain and simple. WARRRR PENN!!! p.s dude leave your mom at home next time. please and thank you. 1

3-19-2009 @ 11:24AM

richardbikle said...

two things - 1. bj got his butt kicked. there wasnt as much vasoline on gsp's back as penns face. the shoulders and a small point in the shoulder blade wouldnt affect guard. 2. the books have already paid the line. there will be no reversal once the casinos have paid, period.

3-19-2009 @ 12:55PM

Frederick said...

BJ has lost no credibility at all in my eyes

If anything lately I have gained alot of respect for him.

3-20-2009 @ 7:21AM

To my knowledge Penn, Hughes, Sherk, and Mayhem have only made complaints/statements of greasing in reference to GSP.

To everyone who is bashing BJ - You think this is just a coincidence? ... That would be one hell of a coincidence.