UFC
UFC QUOTABLES: B.J. Penn more concerned with showing his "fighting spirit" at UFC 127 than winning
Jan 18, 2011 - 9:12:19 AM UFC QUOTABLES: B.J. Penn more concerned with showing his "fighting spirit" at UFC 127 than winning

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

"[When I was offered the fight with Jon Fitch] I was like 'now that's a test for me in the welterweight division, fighting's your life B.J. and [an] opportunity to [fight] Fitch now that's a test'... I know [he's] under pressure people telling him that he has to finish fights and stuff but I honestly think he’s just going to come out and do the some thing he always does, he’s a grinder and he goes after you and grind you into the ground and I just have to stop all that and turn it around...

[Me] and Jon Fitch are in two different places in our lives. All these fighters are really, really, really concerned about one thing, winning; and it's not that I'm not concerned about that, but I've been in their shoes for a long time that's all I was concerned about too, but more concerned then
winning I want to show everybody my fighting spirit, what happens when I step into the ring. It's either going to be the best win, best loss or best draw you ever f***ing saw (laughs). I've stepped into that ring. It's just that everybody's in different places in their lives, he's looking for title shot, George [Sotiropoulos] is looking for a title shot, all these people are looking to come up, some people looking to win to keep their job and this and that, I'm just looking to show my fighting spirit."

-B.J. Penn talks to MMASports.com.au about his UFC 127 headlining fight with Jon Fitch, and being at a different stage in his career than many other fighters.

Penick's Analysis: If B.J. is out to prove to himself that he's still a great fighter, and he's just out to lay it on the line regardless of the outcome, then fans are in for a great main event next month in Australia. Penn at his best is one of the most entertaining fighters to watch in the cage, and like he said he's got a great test in the welterweight division, as Fitch has established himself as the best of the best after Georges St. Pierre in the division. I'm extremely excited for this fight, as both present very real and very dangerous challenges for the other, and it makes for a great stylistic matchup that should be highly entertaining.

[B.J. Penn art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]