Bjorn Hansen's Take
HANSEN: Random tidbits and things learned from B.J. Penn's book "Why I Fight"
May 6, 2010 - 8:03:23 PM HANSEN: Random tidbits and things learned from B.J. Penn's book "Why I Fight"

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By: Bjorn Hansen, MMATorch Columnist

“I overheard him say…, ‘I couldn’t hold him. The guy had Vaseline all over…’ The first thing that came to my mind was, STFU..., You just got your ass kicked [by St. Pierre]. Quit crying.”

-B.J. Penn, and his initial response to allegedly hearing Sean Sherk accuse Georges St. Pierre of greasing at UFC 56 Full Force.

B.J. Penn’s book, “Why I Fight,” was a very informative read. The book provided boundless interesting criticism regarding Kenny Florian, Matt Hughes, Georges St. Pierre, and Dana White. Mostly, Dana White. Most of you have heard much of this before. However, Penn delves deeper.

The book also talks about the origin of his strong stance against performance enhancing cheats such as greasing and steroids. A constant theme throughout as well is Penn’s on and off motivation as a fighter. It seems one moment he has historical aspirations, but next he’s wondering what in the world he’s doing fighting in a cage.

If you haven’t taken notice yet, Hawaii is very dear to the former Lightweight Champion’s heart. He angrily argues that the over commercialization of Hawaii’s tourism industry has led to his mischaracterization as a lazy fighter.

But most of all, he expresses his sentiment concerning UFC president, Dana White. First, I’ll provide miscellaneous fun facts. Then we’ll take a look why Dana thinks this book is filled with “lies”.

Random Tidbits:

As referenced in the opening, Sean Sherk planted the thought of G.S.P greasing in Penn's mind. It was Kenny Florian’s alleged text message—that included that G.S.P had taught Roger Huerta his greasy ways prior to Kenny fighting Huerta—that confirmed it for Penn.

At Ralph Gracie’s B.J.J. camp, they paired B.J. Penn with Dave Camarillo(Current Head BJJ/Judo Trainer at AKA) to test his potential.

Speaking of AKA… It was through his friendship with Bobby Southworth at Ralph Gracie’s camp that he learned of Javier Mendez and the American Kickboxing Academy.

His mentorship with Ralph Gracie ended bitterly because Penn entered a Copa B.J.J. tournament under the Gracie-rival team Nova União (New Union in Portuguese). Penn’s brothers, Reagan and Jay Dee, were promptly banned from the Gracie camp thereafter. Penn later earned his black belt under Andre Pederneiras at Nova União.

Stephen Da Silva, from Nova União, coined the nickname “The Prodigy.” His previous moniker, and probably just as accurate, from Ralph, was “Alien B.J.J.”, due to his otherworldly flexibility.

The Prodigy thinks Carmen Elektra and Dana White have “something in common, since [Dana] had previously done aerobic-style boxing instruction in Las Vegas.” Ouch. Those are fighting words in some neighborhoods.

Speaking of the ‘hood…Did you know Hilo is considered one of the more dangerous cities in the United States? Yes, those street fights Penn talks about were very real.

Penn was under the perception that Dana viewed Matt Hughes as “the poster boy of the sport.” Lorenzo Ferttita was even “consoling him” in the wake of his loss to Penn. Penn hypothesizes “the plan had not been for me to win.” Who knew the unflappable Hughes ever needed consoling?

“Fun” for B.J. and his friends often included “finding marijuana plants [hidden discreetly] in the sugar cane fields, and along the rivers.” Hmm, kind of surprising the former UFC Welterweight Champion doesn’t train with Nick Diaz more. Cesar Gracie, oh yeah, right.

The first Penn to win at the B.J.J. world championships? Not B.J., but his little brother Reagan. So next time you dismiss his brothers’ corner work as just family comfort, think again. And yeah, contrary to popular belief, not every son is named “Jay Dee”.

B.J. sees the UFC’s matchmaking as based not on “who deserves a title shot,” but rather “how much money a match will generate for the UFC.”

YES! YES! I have seen this sort of matchmaking before.

Does size matter? Not if you ask Penn. If you think Penn was overzealous in thinking he could take on the welterweight class listen to this: “I do not think a fight with [Lyoto] Machida would go much different today.” I swear I think B.J. would fight Brock Lesnar if you let him. He’s that confidant.

Penn’s ethnic background is Hawaiian, Korean, and Irish American, or white (whom Hawaiians call “haole”.)

Has Penn’s introduction music finally worn on you? It has for me. The song’s are a peaceful yet exhilarating combination of “Hawaii 78” and “E Ala”. As you can imagine, the song has “profound meaning” and “motivational purpose” for the Hilo native.

“When… Japan…[was official], White… told me… ‘You motherf*****! You’re f****** done! You’ll never fight in the UFC again! You’re finished. You’re scorched earth, motherf*****. Scorched earth. Don’t call me crying…you’re f****** done!’ …even going so far as to tell me... he … planned on removing my fight with Hughes from the UFC 46: Supernatural DVD so no one would even know who I was.”
--B.J. Penn allegedly quoting Dana White in his reaction to Penn fighting in Japan.

When, in the first page, you read “A person who doesn’t really know me—someone like Dana White” you know you’re in for a roast.

B.J. Penn left no reservations while assaulting White’s business tactics, and he shouldn’t be surprised the UFC is not helping with the promotion of this book.

Penn and White have come to a mutual concession regarding the “lies” or Zuffa-damaging words: Penn wrote a well-intentioned manuscript, but Co-Author Dave Weintraub subsequently demonized it with “lies”.

For what it’s worth, I’d have to side with Dana. Even while Penn attempted to portray White as ill-advised, it just seemed Dana was making the right decision for the company. There is no other billion dollar MMA promotion for context. Whatever Dana has decided, it’s worked so far.
You may think I have spoiled the book by now. However, rest assured, Penn, provided fodder-worthy quotes in bulk.

Do you know the explicit ulterior motive behind B.J.’s habitual post-fight reply “if you want to know more, go to bjpenn.com”?

Sherdog's fight finder states Penn’s first MMA fight was against Joey Gilbert. They’re wrong. Want to find out against whom Penn first fought?

Buy the book. If you’re a true MMA fan, you owe it to yourself to learn the life of the greatest lightweight in the short history of mixed martial arts: The Prodigy, Baby Jay Dee Penn.

Questions? Comments? Send me an email at Bjorn.hansen@fiu.edu. Also, follow me on my Twitter @BjornHansenMMA.