Source | abs-cbnnews.com | It was already 4 p.m. and there was still no sign of BJ Penn. The crowd at the Mall of Asia Music Hall appeared restless while waiting for their mixed martial arts (MMA) hero to emerge from the backstage. They wanted to see the legend. They wanted to see “The Prodigy.”
Legendary status
Penn is just one of two fighters in the world to win two MMA titles in two weight classes. He first caught the attention of fight fans in 2001 when he knocked out Caol Uno in just 11 seconds in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 34. In 2004, Penn won his first UFC title after beating Matt Hughes with a rear-naked choke to become the welterweight champion.
Three years later, he became the UFC lightweight champion by defeating Joe Stevenson in a bloody beat down in UFC 80. What made him a legend in the MMA circle was his willingness to take on anyone regardless of weight class. Penn, who is a natural MMA welterweight, fought as high as heavyweight when he competed but lost to Lyoto Machida in 2005.
‘Great time in PH’
At 4:55 p.m., Game Day host Boom Gonzalez and disc jokey Mia Bayuga climbed on stage and held two games to entertain the crowd. The organizers, meanwhile, were preparing some towels and Penn’s training stuff in the ring. At 5 p.m., the 5’9” Penn emerged from backstage and waved to the crowd.
On his way to the ring, he slapped hands with fans and then greeted them. “I’m having a great time in the Philippines… great time, having fun,” he said to the delight of MMA fans. Penn did an MMA exhibition with his elder brother, JD.
Before the exhibition, he threw free UFC freebies to the spectators. Superior stand up, ground skills Penn wowed the crowd with his outstanding stand-up and ground fighting skills that made him one of the toughest MMA fighters in UFC. He actually sparred not only with his brother, but also with 3 other training partners. He showed his stand-up attack and how he slams his opponents to the ground. He even caught his brother in a triangle choke.
Although it was just light sparring, the take downs were real. The crowd actually heard BJ’s partners being slammed down the canvass. He also showed how why he became a black belter in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Penn demonstrated that he can still gain the upper hand even while his opponent is on top of him. He demonstrated the rear-naked choke, the arm bar, and the ground and pound. He also demonstrated superior balance despite being caught in a single-leg take down.
By the time he finished with his last training partner, Penn was already soaking in sweat. “I wanna thank all the fans, thank you guys for accepting and loving the sport,” said Penn.
Fans
Local MMA followers were thrilled to see their idol in the flesh. Rowell Domingo and his wife, Candice, didn’t mind the long wait just to be able to see their MMA hero up close. “BJ Penn is a legend talaga, everyone wants Prodigy… he works himself up talaga, laban talaga,” said Rowell.
“Actually mas more of a fan pa nga ako kesa sa husband ko,” said Candice. “Ever since, ‘yung mga first fights n’ya, I’ve been watching him.” Henry Ebarle, a jiu-jitsu practitioner, considers Penn a pillar of MMA.
“Isa na sa mga haligi yan eh, sobrang galing niya at isa lang sya sa 2 taong nanalo ng title in 2 weight divisions. So masasabi ko talagang isa siya sa pinakamagagaling na MMA fighter na hindi na makakalimutan kahit kelan,” he said.
They also hope Penn would reconsider his decision to retire from MMA. Penn hung up his gloves after losing to Nick Diaz in UFC 137 last October 29.
“Sa akin, feeling ko madami pang ipapakita yan… kaya pa n’ya, p'wede pa,” said Ebarle. “I don’t think he needs to retire,” said Bong Tamayo. “Kelangan lang sigurong i-improve ‘yung concentration n’ya, ‘yung cardio nya. He has nothing to prove, pero can still fight para maganda ang retirement n’ya kung sakali.”
First Pinoy champ in UFC
After the MMA exhibition, Penn went down the ring to sign autographs. He may be a brutal MMA fighter inside the Octagon, but to fans, he has a heart of gold.
For Penn, the fans are king. Penn said he was astonished with the turnout of fans in the MMA exhibition. “It’s amazing how MMA got popular here,” he said.
Penn believes that because of Filipinos' love for MMA, there’s no doubt that there will be a Filipino UFC champion soon. “I say it again just I said in past interviews, and I say it again right here, it ain’t gonna be too long for a Filipino world champion in UFC.”
by Dennis Gasgonia | abs-cbnnews.com
