Penn has definitely given us several versions of himself over the years as a fighter. Let’s take a look at the main ones.
BJ “The Prodigy” Penn - Version 1.0
Remember when this version would run down the plank into the Octagon to let everyone know he was ready to get it on and then run back after the fight was over? This version was ready to start swinging for a K.O. He was young, fit, had hair and a force to be reckoned holding an undefeated record. This guy plowed through Din Thomas with a knee and knocked Caol Uno out in 11 seconds.
BJ “Half Way” Penn - Version 2.0
This version had been defeated. This guy still tried to fight the top tier guys, but he didn’t train real hard for the fights. He moved up to a heavier weight class since competing at 155 would mean he would have to train right and eat right. Like Penn said in his recent interview with the UFC, “Back in the day I used to pride myself on how little I could do and get away with it.” Even with little training this version was able to beat guys like Matt Hughes, Takanori Gomi and Renzo Gracie.
BJ “The Upgrade” Penn - Version 3.0
This version got new training imposed on him while training for the Jens Pulver fight. This version showed up at the weigh-ins for the Pulver fight and shocked everybody with his new, slim, in-shape look. This version blew through Pulver with ease in every aspect of the fight. This version towered over Joe Stevenson at the UFC 80 weigh-ins with a ripped body and a new look of determination. As Penn states, “Now I try to pride myself on how much I do. I try to work real hard, train as much as I can, eat healthy food, and I want to see how far I can take it.” This version had an epihany and realized, “I said what am I doing, why am I messing around? This is the biggest sport in the world, it’s gonna overtake everything, I’m at the forefront. Why am I playing games?”
I guess Penn puts it best when he says, “Something just awoke inside of me where I said ‘what are you doing?” Penn continues. “‘You can beat every one of these people. You’ve been doing it half-assed all this time and it’s time to finally step up and let’s see it. If you can’t, you can’t, but at least you know you tried.’ Words can’t explain how pumped I am about fighting right now. It’s what I am, it’s who I am, and it’s what I want to be.”
Source:
http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=9508
