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Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:45 pm EST

You lack heart if you doubt B.J. Penn

By Steve Cofield

If you thought B.J. Penn's trash talk this week was limited to Georges St. Pierre, think again. Penn said during today's UFC 94 teleconference that any fighter, make that anyone, who doubts his ability to beat GSP truly doubts themselves. It threw me for a loop too. Hearing Penn's explanation 10 times and reading it several more times, I'm still uncertain about what the heck he's saying:

"People who don't believe I can win this fight, it's simply because they don't believe in themselves that they could go out and beat a great champion at a higher weight. And it's really their problem and their lack of confidence."

Click below to hear Penn talk about confidence, stamina and trash-talk:

Penn, who normally fighters at 155 pounds, said he's not worried about the stamina issues that he's experienced in the past fighting at 170. He's glad that he's not weakening himself by cutting weight. Penn indicated that he'll be giving away roughly 17 pounds on fight night when he walks into the cage at 170 pounds with GSP at 187. Before you read other sources saying that this is a big deal, the situation was the same when these guys faced off back at UFC 58. The much bigger St. Pierre eeked out a split decision victory in the final minute of that one. Penn thinks this time GSP (pictured on the mat during a loss to Matt Serra) will be the one experiencing the stamina issues:

"This time it's going to be the longer the fight goes, it's going to be worse for Georges."

Penn added later in the call that once St. Pierre realizes that he can't score the takedown he'll fold mentally knowing it's a real fight. For more of the UFC 94 teleconference with Penn, GSP and Dana White listen here.

Penn was asked about all the trash talk on UFC's "Primetime". Beau Dure from USAToday pointed out that he ripped Sean Sherk a lot before their fight at UFC 84 and then backed off afterwards. Penn said that all of the smack he's raining down on GSP is real. He's frustrated by the fact that Camp St. Pierre has a lack of respect for his skills and the life he's led attaining that skill set.

Photo via Newsday

Cage Writer will be ringside/cageside with live updates at both Affliction 2 on Saturday and WEC 38 on Sunday.

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35 Comments

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  1. Shaun
    1. Posted by Shaun Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:44 pm EDT

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    Anyone hear the news of Mike Swick wanting to fight Thiago Alves??Alves is clearly the No.1 Contender for the WW Title after GSP and Penn fight..
  2. Steven W
    2. Posted by Steven W Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:47 pm EDT

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    hahahaha, bad idea swick you'll get torn the fukk up
  3. o
    3. Posted by o Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:43 pm EDT

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    GSP will walk through Penn
    and yea, swick cant count on a quick knockout vs. Alves...he's in for a long night
  4. colin c
    4. Posted by colin c Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:50 pm EDT

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    GSP will not walk thru Penn, no way. he was 'unbeatable' last time and Penn was uncommitted, and they still went to the cards. Penn is a sociopath and add actual committment to the skill set and he is dangerous. Sadly i think 185 is to high cuz i would like to see him take on Silva also.
    GSP should have done what Penn did and gone up to look for a challenge also. I hope he finds the un-french sack to do it. 3 out of 4 top 4 pound for pounds could fight, here is hoping. i would fly to vegas for GSP vs Silva.
    Now if Fedor dropped to 205 to meet silva i would fly to china
  5. colin c
    5. Posted by colin c Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:50 pm EDT

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    What is really funny is you watch video on the pre-fight hype, most highlights are not them fighting for GSP, the add even makes Penn look tiny. This is fighting, they are looking to push betting a certain way (UFC owners do HAVE CASINOES). I agree, anyone counting Penn out doubts themselves, and looking to fulfill a self made prophecy.
    the little man can not win.
  6. Joe J
    6. Posted by Joe J Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:30 pm EDT

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    penn's crazy, weight doesn't matter to him. he went and fought machida a while ago and lost a really close decision. now that he's committed to training and driven to win, gsp's gonna have a tough time.
  7. MeetyourMMaker
    7. Posted by MeetyourMMaker Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:06 pm EDT

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    BJ Penn is on a whole other level to most every fighter out there.......except GSP who is on a whole other level than BJ Penn. GSP is just as talented as BJ but works twice as hard.....and he's bigger. I say GSP takes it 6 out of 10 times. Both fighters could fight perfectly and not make any mistakes and GSP would win. BJ wins if GSP makes a mistake and BJ capitalizes. BJ will have a very small window of opportunity in capitalizing on a GSP mistake.
  8. mmagrrl
    8. Posted by mmagrrl Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:04 pm EDT

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    BJ Penn must be smoking crack. He is way too cocky. This just makes me cringe.
    I didn't think I could want Penn to get his face smashed in any more than I already did. GSP needs to shut him up.
  9. Steven W
    9. Posted by Steven W Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:47 pm EDT

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    i don't know what cofield is talking about, i think it's pretty clear what bj was trying to say. if another fighter doubts that he could go up in weight and beat gsp, that's just their own self doubt of not being able to accomplish such a feat....and most fighters' egos work in a way that won't allow themselves to comprehend someone else doing something they themselves lack the confidence to accomplish.
  10. ruckaone
    10. Posted by ruckaone Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:55 pm EDT

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    I got B.J. by submission, write it down you all. Not a word until after.
  11. BearDown
    11. Posted by BearDown Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:23 pm EDT

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    ruckaone .......agreed. Not till GSP gets opened up to bleed a little before.
  12. fightchica
    12. Posted by fightchica Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:53 pm EDT

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    I still say GSP it will go at least four rounds
  13. KJ-MMA Armchair
    13. Posted by KJ-MMA Armchair Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:52 pm EDT

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    colin c, none of the Fertitta Staiton Casinos take bets on UFC fights because they know full well there would always be doubters, such as yourself, thinking they're trying to stack the odds in their favour.
  14. Darkness!
    14. Posted by Darkness! Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:45 pm EDT

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    I'm sooo psyched for BJ vs. GSP; this could very easily be fight of the year. I do have to partially disagree with mmagrrl though- as far as BJ being cocky. BJ seems very confident to me (and he deserves to be); but there's a big diff. between confidence and cockiness. He truly believes he's better than GSP, cuz he lost their previous fight by split decision, when BJ wasn't even AS committed to his training as he is now. But St. Pierre is also a better fighter than he was then, too. I always thought GSP was kinda cocky too- especially going into his fights with Hughes (as I used to be a big Hughes fan too); but then seeing how he dominated Hughes- twice- turned out he was just confident that he was as good or better than Hughes; that's when I became a GSP fan. I still can't pick a winner for this one...
  15. jtakeo11
    15. Posted by jtakeo11 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:43 pm EDT

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    I picked BJ months ago for this fight, he's the man. He was the underdog then, and he still is now. People, you should be putting your money on him. Great odds.
  16. plutothree
    16. Posted by plutothree Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:14 pm EDT

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    I'm not a Penn fan; but his statement made perfect sense. Sometimes people project their lack of confidence onto other people (in this case, Penn) who are undertaking big challenges. Some losers may very well assume that Penn can't conquer this challenge because they wouldn't have what it takes in that situation.
    Having said all that, I think GSP will crush Penn. Penn is a great fighter and will be up to the challenge of moving back up to WW, but GSP is just a better fighter with a better camp to train with. It's that simple.
  17. AdamG
    17. Posted by AdamG Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:45 pm EDT

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    Everyone try and go and watch their first fight before sounding off. BJ thought he won the first fight, which he could have and was pissed at the decision. There's a reason he thinks he has a great chance at winning and there's a reason he's upset. Right now I'm slightly favoring GSP, but those that say GSP will smash BJ obviously didn't see their first fight and are nuthuggers at best.
  18. vudusup
    18. Posted by vudusup Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:38 pm EDT

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    BJ Penn reminds me of a guy you think is really cool when you first meet him. But the more you hang out with him, the less you want to be around him. Because he is a wierd dude. Anyhow, this match will be very nice and I think will be pretty brutal. I may be clutching my blankey after this one.
    Machida v Silva also makes me tingle in my nether regions, much like a rocket roundhouse to the earsocket from the Slicer. A win for Lyoto HAS to propel this dude to a title shot....
  19. Slagler
    19. Posted by Slagler Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:47 pm EDT

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    colin c,
    Just because you drop a Fedor bomb, it doesn't make you a MMA expert. What does Fedor has to do with a GSP & BJ fight?
  20. BearDown
    20. Posted by BearDown Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:23 pm EDT

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    Nutcracker........ Yeah, they got sportsbooks that's not half bad actually, although I am partial to the Coast Casinos for my football bets (better spreads and more games). The Red Rock is actually a pretty nice place to stay off the strip for locals.
    colin c, KJ-MMA Armchair....... Stations can't put out the MMA odds becaus it's against gaming regulations and would lose the rights to all their gaming in NV and face judicial penalty. It's kinda like your local college doesn't put on a "lottery" or "sell squares" to see if the sports teams cover the spread. It's illegal.
  21. Karl A
    21. Posted by Karl A Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:47 pm EDT

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    Ruckaone...well said. I've picked Penn all along. He made the challenge and will be ready. GSP is always in top shape but I think Penn will come in to make a statement. I do have to say that if GSP wins it would interesting to see him take on the Spider. Either way GSP will lose one of his next couple fights. If he somehow beats Penn, he won't beat Silva...if that fight even happens.
  22. Steven W
    22. Posted by Steven W Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:47 pm EDT

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    i just might call alves over gsp as well. the pitbull has what it takes to get the job done, and the confidence to match.
  23. Clint M
    23. Posted by Clint M Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:36 pm EDT

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    Cant wait for this fight but isnt it a week away with 2 nice cards this weekend?
  24. mmagrrl
    24. Posted by mmagrrl Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:04 pm EDT

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    Darkness, I stand by my comment - BJ is very cocky. There is a difference between being confident and being cocky, but someone can be both at the same time. I will agree that BJ is confident, and he has every right to be because he is very talented and skilled. But he's incredibly cocky. The tone of his voice (which is annoying and condescending), his mannerisms, everything about him is cocky. GSP is confident, but he's also humble. While I feel this fight could go either way, I'm really pulling for GSP, cuz if BJ wins his head will get so big he won't fit thru a door. Besides, BJ already looks like a Cabbage Patch doll with his giant round melon.
    You mentioned Matt Hughes, who is also one of the cockiest, most annoying dirtbags in the sport. He never outgrew the high school jock mentality. I give him an immense amount of credit as a fighter. But I can't stand to listen to him run his mouth.
    Tito is another cocky SOB, and I used to be a huge Tito fan. Jenna ruined him. His cockiness used to be entertaining, like he was only acting that way to get into people's heads (like with Ken Shamrock on TUF). Now he's too serious about it. I really want to like him still, but he tends to make himself look like an idiot and I can't tolerate it anymore.
  25. Darkness!
    25. Posted by Darkness! Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:45 pm EDT

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    mmagrrl-
    I may have to give u that one. I still don't know about BJ's cockiness vs. confidence; but yeah- Hughes' attitude on TUF was one of the first things that started to turn me off of him. And Tito's attitude has always been his downfall. I guess u have to have a bit of an ego to make it in this sport; after all, if u don't believe in urself, who else will? Think about it that way- how many big name fighters can u name that are truly humble, well demeanored people... MAYBE a handful... Couture, Fedor, maybe a few others. U just kinda have to accept it for what it is- chalk it up to testosterone, I guess. Either way- I'm a fan of both BJ and GSP and am really looking forward to this fight...

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