bs. if khabib moved up and beat usman it would certainly help cement his LW legacy.
Over the past 10 years or so BJ Penn's reputation and all time ranking has taken a major hit with the newer generation of fans. This is mostly due to the 7 fight losing streak he had at the end of his career. The viral clip of him getting ko'd by some random guy on the street didn't help. However, those of us who were around to actually witness his career know the truth about BJ Penn. He was without a doubt one of the greatest fighters the sport has ever seen. This is the case for BJ Penn as the GOAT LW and a top 15 all time p4p fighter.
Penn holds the record for most Top 10 Wins and the most Title Defenses in the LW division
Most people are aware that Penn is tied with Khabib for the most title defenses in LW history. But one thing I don't think people realize is that to this day BJ Penn is still holds the record for most top 10 wins in the lightweight division with 8. Sure Khabib tied his title defense record but Khabib hasn't matched his top 10 win record. And sure Benson Henderson tied his top 10 win record but not his title defense record. So going by the numbers BJ Penn is still the longest reigning and most dominant fighter we've ever seen in the division. Not Khabib, not Bendo, not Frankie, not Islam. It's BJ Penn.
BJ Penn has 10 top 10 wins and 3 title defenses
Penn is one of only 10 fighters in MMA history to have at least 10 top 10 wins and 3 title defenses. The group includes Fedor, Jones, Anderson, GSP, Aldo, Mighty Mouse, Chuck Liddell, Wanderlei Silva, and Israel Adesanya. He is in elite company.
Penn was a Double Champ
BJ Penn sits alongside Randy Couture, Dan Henderson, Conor McGregor, GSP, and Jon Jones as a Pride/UFC Double Champ.
Penn has the highest finishing rate in LW history
Out of BJ Penn's 12 victories in the LW division 11 of them were finishes. That gives him a 91% finishing rate at LW and an overall finishing rate of 81% for his career. This is in contrast to the many decision victories Benson and Khabib won.
BJ was robbed in 3 of the biggest fights in his career
One could make a very strong case that BJ was robbed against Caol Uno, Georges St Pierre, and Frankie Edgar. Sure, the official record reflects 2 losses and a draw. But BJ actually beat each one of those guys. On top of that BJ was about 30 seconds away from securing a win over Jon Fitch as well. Another thing to consider is that BJ defeated top 10 LW Duane Ludwig in a WW fight thus robbing him of another top 10 win. Penn also defeated top 10 WW Rodrigo Gracie in a MW fight thus robbing him of yet another top 10 win.
In an alternate universe where BJ is awarded the victories in those controversial fights, holds on for 30 more seconds against Jon Fitch, and fights Duane Ludwig at LW and Rodrigo Gracie at WW...he becomes a clear cut top 10 fighter of all time. He becomes a 2x UFC LW champion with 4 title defenses and 11 top 10 wins in the LW division. Which of course would make him the clear cut GOAT over Khabib and Bendo at LW. He also ends up with victories over the 2 greatest WW's in MMA history along with a 3rd win over another top 10 WW of all time in Jon Fitch. He goes from 10 overall top 10 wins to 16. That would make him tied with Aldo at #4 for the most top 10 wins in MMA history. That would also take his peak record from a rather pedestrian looking 15-6-1 to a much more respectable 20-4.
--------------
So there you have it. When put into context BJ Penn had a top 10 caliber career all time. He has the numbers and the performances to stake a legitimate claim as the LW GOAT. He has the accomplishments to stake a claim as a top 15 p4p fighter of all time. With just a little bit of better luck Penn could be a clear cut top 10 fighter of all time right up there with Aldo and Mighty Mouse. His 7 fight losing streak came at the end of his career and like all fighters this should not be held against him. It's a real shame that Penn's legacy has taken such a hit over the years. Hopefully this will help some newer fans realize just how great BJ Penn actually was. Let's show our respect to the Prodigy...the GREAT BJ Penn!!!
"In an alternative universe is awarded the victories in those controversial fights, holds on for 30 more seconds against Jon Fitch, and fights Duane Ludwig at LW and Rodrigo Gracie at WW.Over the past 10 years or so BJ Penn's reputation and all time ranking has taken a major hit with the newer generation of fans. This is mostly due to the 7 fight losing streak he had at the end of his career. The viral clip of him getting ko'd by some random guy on the street didn't help. However, those of us who were around to actually witness his career know the truth about BJ Penn. He was without a doubt one of the greatest fighters the sport has ever seen. This is the case for BJ Penn as the GOAT LW and a top 15 all time p4p fighter.
Penn holds the record for most Top 10 Wins and the most Title Defenses in the LW division
Most people are aware that Penn is tied with Khabib for the most title defenses in LW history. But one thing I don't think people realize is that to this day BJ Penn is still holds the record for most top 10 wins in the lightweight division with 8. Sure Khabib tied his title defense record but Khabib hasn't matched his top 10 win record. And sure Benson Henderson tied his top 10 win record but not his title defense record. So going by the numbers BJ Penn is still the longest reigning and most dominant fighter we've ever seen in the division. Not Khabib, not Bendo, not Frankie, not Islam. It's BJ Penn.
BJ Penn has 10 top 10 wins and 3 title defenses
Penn is one of only 10 fighters in MMA history to have at least 10 top 10 wins and 3 title defenses. The group includes Fedor, Jones, Anderson, GSP, Aldo, Mighty Mouse, Chuck Liddell, Wanderlei Silva, and Israel Adesanya. He is in elite company.
Penn was a Double Champ
BJ Penn sits alongside Randy Couture, Dan Henderson, Conor McGregor, GSP, and Jon Jones as a Pride/UFC Double Champ.
Penn has the highest finishing rate in LW history
Out of BJ Penn's 12 victories in the LW division 11 of them were finishes. That gives him a 91% finishing rate at LW and an overall finishing rate of 81% for his career. This is in contrast to the many decision victories Benson and Khabib won.
BJ was robbed in 3 of the biggest fights in his career
One could make a very strong case that BJ was robbed against Caol Uno, Georges St Pierre, and Frankie Edgar. Sure, the official record reflects 2 losses and a draw. But BJ actually beat each one of those guys. On top of that BJ was about 30 seconds away from securing a win over Jon Fitch as well. Another thing to consider is that BJ defeated top 10 LW Duane Ludwig in a WW fight thus robbing him of another top 10 win. Penn also defeated top 10 WW Rodrigo Gracie in a MW fight thus robbing him of yet another top 10 win.
In an alternate universe where BJ is awarded the victories in those controversial fights, holds on for 30 more seconds against Jon Fitch, and fights Duane Ludwig at LW and Rodrigo Gracie at WW...he becomes a clear cut top 10 fighter of all time. He becomes a 2x UFC LW champion with 4 title defenses and 11 top 10 wins in the LW division. Which of course would make him the clear cut GOAT over Khabib and Bendo at LW. He also ends up with victories over the 2 greatest WW's in MMA history along with a 3rd win over another top 10 WW of all time in Jon Fitch. He goes from 10 overall top 10 wins to 16. That would make him tied with Aldo at #4 for the most top 10 wins in MMA history. That would also take his peak record from a rather pedestrian looking 15-6-1 to a much more respectable 20-4.
--------------
So there you have it. When put into context BJ Penn had a top 10 caliber career all time. He has the numbers and the performances to stake a legitimate claim as the LW GOAT. He has the accomplishments to stake a claim as a top 15 p4p fighter of all time. With just a little bit of better luck Penn could be a clear cut top 10 fighter of all time right up there with Aldo and Mighty Mouse. His 7 fight losing streak came at the end of his career and like all fighters this should not be held against him. It's a real shame that Penn's legacy has taken such a hit over the years. Hopefully this will help some newer fans realize just how great BJ Penn actually was. Let's show our respect to the Prodigy...the GREAT BJ Penn!!!
I don't need to be sold on BJ's greatness, I loved watching him fight in his prime. I just think the alternative universe idea where you ignore what really happened including changing some of the results, all his losses and poor management of his career (his own fault, he surrounded himself with yes people) is not one that I want to live in or even visit. You can call me closed-minded. I have no interest in going to the moon and even if Elon Musk offered me a free trip to Mars I wouldn't take it. I like it here on Earth in this universe.
"
Over the past 10 years or so BJ Penn's reputation and all time ranking has taken a major hit with the newer generation of fans. This is mostly due to the 7 fight losing streak he had at the end of his career. The viral clip of him getting ko'd by some random guy on the street didn't help. However, those of us who were around to actually witness his career know the truth about BJ Penn. He was without a doubt one of the greatest fighters the sport has ever seen. This is the case for BJ Penn as the GOAT LW and a top 15 all time p4p fighter.
Penn holds the record for most Top 10 Wins and the most Title Defenses in the LW division
Most people are aware that Penn is tied with Khabib for the most title defenses in LW history. But one thing I don't think people realize is that to this day BJ Penn is still holds the record for most top 10 wins in the lightweight division with 8. Sure Khabib tied his title defense record but Khabib hasn't matched his top 10 win record. And sure Benson Henderson tied his top 10 win record but not his title defense record. So going by the numbers BJ Penn is still the longest reigning and most dominant fighter we've ever seen in the division. Not Khabib, not Bendo, not Frankie, not Islam. It's BJ Penn.
BJ Penn has 10 top 10 wins and 3 title defenses
Penn is one of only 10 fighters in MMA history to have at least 10 top 10 wins and 3 title defenses. The group includes Fedor, Jones, Anderson, GSP, Aldo, Mighty Mouse, Chuck Liddell, Wanderlei Silva, and Israel Adesanya. He is in elite company.
Penn was a Double Champ
BJ Penn sits alongside Randy Couture, Dan Henderson, Conor McGregor, GSP, and Jon Jones as a Pride/UFC Double Champ.
Penn has the highest finishing rate in LW history
Out of BJ Penn's 12 victories in the LW division 11 of them were finishes. That gives him a 91% finishing rate at LW and an overall finishing rate of 81% for his career. This is in contrast to the many decision victories Benson and Khabib won.
BJ was robbed in 3 of the biggest fights in his career
One could make a very strong case that BJ was robbed against Caol Uno, Georges St Pierre, and Frankie Edgar. Sure, the official record reflects 2 losses and a draw. But BJ actually beat each one of those guys. On top of that BJ was about 30 seconds away from securing a win over Jon Fitch as well. Another thing to consider is that BJ defeated top 10 LW Duane Ludwig in a WW fight thus robbing him of another top 10 win. Penn also defeated top 10 WW Rodrigo Gracie in a MW fight thus robbing him of yet another top 10 win.
In an alternate universe where BJ is awarded the victories in those controversial fights, holds on for 30 more seconds against Jon Fitch, and fights Duane Ludwig at LW and Rodrigo Gracie at WW...he becomes a clear cut top 10 fighter of all time. He becomes a 2x UFC LW champion with 4 title defenses and 11 top 10 wins in the LW division. Which of course would make him the clear cut GOAT over Khabib and Bendo at LW. He also ends up with victories over the 2 greatest WW's in MMA history along with a 3rd win over another top 10 WW of all time in Jon Fitch. He goes from 10 overall top 10 wins to 16. That would make him tied with Aldo at #4 for the most top 10 wins in MMA history. That would also take his peak record from a rather pedestrian looking 15-6-1 to a much more respectable 20-4.
--------------
So there you have it. When put into context BJ Penn had a top 10 caliber career all time. He has the numbers and the performances to stake a legitimate claim as the LW GOAT. He has the accomplishments to stake a claim as a top 15 p4p fighter of all time. With just a little bit of better luck Penn could be a clear cut top 10 fighter of all time right up there with Aldo and Mighty Mouse. His 7 fight losing streak came at the end of his career and like all fighters this should not be held against him. It's a real shame that Penn's legacy has taken such a hit over the years. Hopefully this will help some newer fans realize just how great BJ Penn actually was. Let's show our respect to the Prodigy...the GREAT BJ Penn!!!
