If you look up the definition of the word ‘prodigy’ you will in most cases find:
“A person so extraordinary as to inspire wonder; specifically, a child of highly unusual talent or genius.”
BJ Penn, the current UFC-Lightweight Champion, from Hilo, Hawaii, has often been referred to as ‘The Prodigy’. And rightfully so, may I say.
In today’s post, I will refrain from listing all his impressive wins on the mat, in the ring and inside ‘The Octagon’. And they are many, even against a number of highly recognizable names on the MMA circuit such as Matt Hughes, Renzo Gracie, Jens Pulver, Kenny Florian.
I am more interested in sharing with you his predisposition in becoming a UFC Champion and one of the most well-known and respected figures in professional Mixed Martial Arts.
And how did that nickname ‘The Prodigy’ establish itself anyway?
When BJ was 17 years old, he started his BJJ training together with his brother after an introduction by his neighbor, Tom Callos, who must be mighty proud today.
It must have been around two years later in 1997 that BJ received instruction under the legendary Ralph Gracie, from whom he received purple belt.
By 2000, just 3 years later, he was awarded the coveted black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by Andre Pederneiras.
This in itself is quite a feat, because reportedly it is not unusual for BJJ students to have to put in 10 years to reach that level of skill and dedication.
Shortly thereafter BJ Penn went on to become the first non-Brazilian to win the black-belt division of the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which, as you might know, is considered the birthplace of BJJ.
While most people need a decade or more to become a black belt, BJ Penn had, with only three years of training, not only received a black belt but defeated people who had been training their entire lives on his way to winning the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Talent can certainly get you places, but it usually in addition takes consistent hard work and commitment to maintain and even propel you to higher elevations, in just about any profession.
Years ago UFC-President, Dana White, expressed his impression that BJ had coasted through his fighting career on natural talent alone.
That has definitely changed after BJ Penn has shown his willingness to take his professional MMA career more seriously in his training and he has obviously renewed his commitment to excel at the highest level to remain the UFC-Lightweight Champion.
His immense talent, combined with his experience and renewed commitment, make UFC-Lightweight Champion, BJ Penn ‘The Prodigy’ a force to reckon with. And most probably one of the best fighters of all time.
Check out this video in its entirety. You will not be disappointed!
In a recent post “Abu Dhabi And Martial Arts?” I introduced this vibrant Emirate on the Arabian peninsula as a true epicenter of top-level international submission wrestling.
The driving force behind all this is Sheik Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Center).
Dana White and the Sheik have worked out a deal to host UFC 112 on April 10, 2010 in Abu Dhabi.
One of the exciting fights of this event has been confirmed.
It will be between two true mixed martial arts legends: Matt Hughes vs. Renzo Gracie.
Both are accomplished submission grapplers in their own right and that is an understatement, if there ever was one.
Will this be ‘Wrestling vs. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu”?
I leave you today with two short videos that will give you an idea of these fighters’ personalities. Enjoy!
If you are at all interested in Ultimate Fighting, you might have also asked yourself the same question:
Who’s the next the UFC Hall Of Fame Inductee?
Let’s see who’s in there so far:
Dan “The Beast” Severn
Mark “The Hammer” Coleman
Ken “The World’s Most Dangerous Man” Shamrock
Randy “The Natural” Couture
Royce Gracie
Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell
Chris “Mask” Lewis, co-founder of TapouT
Now, that’s one heck of an impressive line-up of individuals who have competed at the highest level and in the case of Chris Lewis* who promoted UFC at the highest level.
I’m thinking maybe Matt “The Country Boy” Hughes. <
Or maybe even Pat "The Croatian Sensation" Miletich,
Tito “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Ortiz
Frank “The Legend” Shamrock
Anybody else?
I’ll be sitting here in front of my computer waiting for your suggestions.
*Chris unfortunately died in a car crash last March. May he rest in peace.
Two of the most successful UFC veterans are putting on their 5 oz. gloves again.
And I gotta be honest when I tell you that I am actually excited to hear that Matt Hughes
and Tito Ortiz both came to an agreement with UFC President, Dana White, to fight in
The Octagon.
Of course, you know they won’t fight against each other in the same division.
Matt “Country Boy” Hughes will again fight as a Welterweight.
Just like he did as the UFC World Champion several years ago with a most impressive
body-slamming professional record of 43-7.
Matt will end up again in the same division as George St. Pierre (GSP who is now
considered by many one of the Top 4 PFP fighters in the world) as well as Thiago
Alves and Jon Fitch.
Tito Ortiz aka The Bad Boy from Huntington Beach on the other hand used
to be, together with Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell, long reigning World Champ,
who could get the crowds really psyched about Ultimate Fighting Championships.
Basically, when it comes to Tito Ortiz: You either love him or you hate him.
He’s colorful, outspoken and controversial to say the least.
Tito is expected to compete in the Rock Star Division also known as Light
Heavyweight, loaded with extremely skillful modern day gladiators such as
Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (Is he really retiring?),
Forrest Griffin, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, and Mark Coleman (Tito’s first opponent in 2009)
just to name a few.
Let there be no doubt:
Both, Matt Hughes and Tito Ortiz are still two very formidable mixed martial artists
with name recognition.
The question is:
Can they still compete at the level it takes to put on the belt of a current
UFC World Champion when the dust settles in The Octagon?
What Dana White totally gets:
These two extraordinary fighters still want to and are capable to effectively
trade kicks and punches and grapple with the best in the world.
They will draw crowds and increase ratings for Dana White’s UFC organization.
So, instead of watching them fight for UFC’s competitors, why not just get
them into The Octagon instead, right?
Tell me what you think about Veteran UFC Superstars Matt Hughes & Tito Ortiz
returning to the Octagon for the UFC.
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