B.J. Penn: 'Teammates Have to Fight Each Other'

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f you're a UFC fighter who's unhappy about being pressured into fighting your friends and teammates, don't come crying to B.J. Penn.

The former UFC welterweight and lightweight champion said on Monday's edition of The MMA Hour that it's all part of the game, and fighters should plan accordingly.

"I think teammates have to fight each other, and I knew that the whole time," Penn said. "That's why I would always distance myself. Of course they have to. I always thought it was B.S. that [Josh] Koscheck and [Jon] Fitch wouldn't have to fight, but they can just keep taking turns going for title shots, but they never had to fight each other? That doesn't make sense."

As Penn told Ariel Helwani on Monday's show, that's part of the reason why he chooses to do his training camps in Hawaii, far away from the more established gyms on the mainland where potential future opponents train.

"You know why I never went to any of these places and trained? Because it's the same thing that you see with guys like Rashad Evans and Jon Jones. Now there's a big problem because of that. That's why I always kept my distance from anyone. I had a thousand chances to go train with Jon Fitch, but I knew I'm probably going to fight this guy one day, so let's be friends when we're done fighting."

Of course, Penn's disdain wasn't limited to the teammates who refuse to fight each other. He also had some choice words for the fighters he suspects of using performance-enhancing substances, not that he's ever been shy about calling them out in public.

"I always complained about the steroids and stuff, but really I look back on it and I can beat all these guys even if they're on steroids," Penn said. "I just like to tease them. ...I would love to see more of the guys get busted, but there's really nothing you can do about that stuff, I

http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/04/26/b-j-penn-teammates-have-to-fight-each-other/

easy for him to say that being in hawaii. Doubt he would ever be fighting kendal grove or chris leben. He has a point though just distance yourself from them and no worries. But again easy for him to say being in hawaii

Grove and Leben aren't in his division though.

even if they were i don't see why he wouldn't fight them

BJ waits until after he beats you, then he picks you up at the airport playing your walkout music and you become BFF.
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Lollllll.

Says the guy who runs his own chump team full of yes men who will A) never be good enough to fight BJ Penn or B) Fold at the oppurtunity to BJ Penn. Who do they got? Schmo Lauzon? give me a fuckin break.

Guys like Penn and Fedor(i know he didnt say anything) are the LAST type of people who should talk about teammates fighting eachother as they never had a camp that was tight enough, talented enough, and deep enough for this conflict ever to arise...and good for them. If they don't think teammates should play a factor, you might as well go on your own and have employees instead of training partners like BJ Penn has. Who does it hurt in the end? BJ Penn...you've seen the advice his cornermen give him..none at all. You need guys who will tell it to you straight, and guys you will never cross paths with. Maybe if Penn was part of a tight knit team like AKA or how Jackson used to be maybe he would not waddle into fights out of shape with no specific gameplan. No use being teammates if you'll fight eachother. Why the fuck would i want to train with somebody if that can work against me later? it's simply not logical


That is i think i disagree...and i'm a huge Penn fan.

I'm with Kings. Anyway, Penn hasn't trained with anyone of note seriously for a couple years and low and behold he isn't championship material suddenly. If he kept Maynard close to the vest, he would likely have done better against Edgar. It is no secret that the reason AKA, Blackhouse and Jackson produce top level fighters in all divisions is because the best are training intimately and regularly with the best. Fitch and Kosh wouldn't be title shot material if not for eachother, and the only reason neither of them have ever won the title is because GSP comes from the same environment.


All these camps where the best think fighting the best is OK are yesterday's news or also rans. This is just flat out the way it is.

BJ is the smartest man in the world and you guys should listen to him always.