Yes, yes, another MMA fighter, but this list wouldn't be complete for me without "the Prodigy". He is a champion in every sense of the word. A lightweight who was fearless enough to compete in an openweight bout against a 220 pound future UFC Champion in Lyoto Machida, and a man skilled enough to recieve his BJJ black belt in only 3 years. Even more astounding is the fact that he didn't start training in martial arts until the age of 17, when most of his opponnents have spent their entire lives training. Even Anderson Silva regards Penn as the greatest MMA fighter of all time (we're still not sure if he has a rule against choosing himself). Although he has recently been struggling in the octagon, at a higher weight class again, his legacy can never be besmirched.
Penn's journey started right next door... No really his neighbor was the first person to show him Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Not too long after this Penn went to AKA to train, straight from his neighbor's house to one of the worlds premier camps. It didn't take anybody long to realize the talent that Penn possessed, and in 2000 he became the first American to win gold at the BJJ World Championships. This accomplishment caught the attention of the UFC brass, and in 2001 he made his MMA debut at UFC 31. In only his 4th fight Penn challenged for the UFC Lightweight Championship against Jens Pulver, and althought he lost a decision he proved that he belonged at the top. Soon after Penn would draw Caol Uno for the vacant championship, a fight that led to the removal of the lightweight from the UFC.
After the Uno fight things started to look up for Penn, in his next 2 fights he defeated Takanori Gomi for the Rumble on the Rock Lightweight Championship and Matt Hughes for the UFC Welterweight Championship. In Penn's next 4 fights he fought 2 at middleweight and 1 as an openweight bout against Machida. After this he returned to the UFC at welterweight where he lost to GSP and Hughes before returning to lightweight to rematch Jens Pulver. After defeating Pulver, Penn went on to win the lightweight strap defending it 3 times before dropping a decision to Frankie Edgar. During his tenure as the champion he attempted to become the first man in the UFC to hold 2 titles in 2 different weight classes by rematching St. Pierre, this time for the UFC Welterweight Championship. Unfortunately for Penn St. Pierre controlled the fight, but Penn is still the only man in UFC history to attempt to hold 2 titles simultaneously. After losing the title Penn has had a run of bad luck at welterweight, the only silver lining being his 21 second KO of his longtime rival and idol Matt Hughes. After his most recent defeat Penn has expressed his desire to return to lightweight despite many people calling for him to retire, whatever decision he makes Penn will always be respected in the martial arts communnity for his raw talent, fearlessness, and setting the example for what it means to be a champion.
Support "the Prodigy", wear it proudly.
No comments:
Post a Comment