BJ vs. Frankie:

With the rematch between Frankie and BJ just around the corner it’s interesting to look at the matchup again and see what, if anything will go differently this time around. No doubt most think BJ is by far the more talented fighter, not to mention a large contingent still believing (rightfully so) that BJ won the 1st match anyways, but Frankie presents odd challenges to BJ where it’s not out of the question you could see him retain the Title. Now we all know MMA is about matchups, outside the obvious talent advantages, and although I firmly believe BJ will not only take his Title back, but in dominant fashion, you really need to look into the matchup and see that Frankie is really an extremely talented LW himself who can nullify areas where BJ usually dominates. In their 1st fight, Frankie really out-pointed and out-worked BJ, at least in the judges eyes (I personally had BJ winning). He used movement; some could say danced, to keep BJ guessing, and honestly that played into the judge’s minds. Now BJ without a doubt has the best Boxing skills in MMA (Yes above Koons and Diaz, Toney needs to fight before I consider him an MMA fighter), but Frankie is no slouch himself and his quickness and movement combined, even up a usual significant advantage in terms of pure Boxing for BJ. Frankie is an extremely smart fighter who is very well-rounded. A strong wrestler and Purple belt under Ricardo Almeida, not to mention an excellently conditioned fighter, he has the complete game to repeat and win a decision over BJ, but…. And I do say but, not finish the fight.

BJ on the other hand, has the tools to not only finish any LW in the World, but 90% of the WW’s as well. The problem is, is BJ focused enough and is BJ fit enough to go through the kind of fight Frankie is going to put before him. If this was a situation where BJ had won a close fight with Frankie, I would question if BJ wouldn’t take him lightly the 2nd time around, but seeing it is BJ coming off a controversial lose to Frankie, I see him being more motivated then ever. It could be said Frankie caught BJ off guard the 1st time around, his quickness, pace, underrated Boxing skills ect…even overall gameness probably wasn’t something BJ was expecting coming off dominating some of the other so-called best LW’s in the game. Here Frankie was a huge underdog, and he gave BJ the toughest fight anyone not named GSP or Hughes had in sometime. This time around, BJ will come in better then ever (at least I’d hope so), very well prepared and most importantly knowing what to expect from Frankie. If I were a guessing man I’d expect BJ to push the action more, his striking is better then Frankie’s and he also has an edge in power, step up and test Frankie’s chin. Equally so, I’d expect BJ to try and take Frankie down more, even though Frankie is a strong wrestler, BJ is as well and is a much bigger man, I’m sure we all remember how Gray tossed Frankie around as if he was his little brother. When it gets to the ground, not many, if anyone is as talented as BJ, and even though Frankie trains with Almeida, BJ subbed a much more talented BBJ fighter then Frankie in KeFlo with ease. My prediction, 3rd Rd RNC special for BJ.

Welcome back LA. I think BJ Penn will win but it'll last at least 3 full rounds.

edgar via bisping style

BJ via mauling

LA I need you back until CC decapitates Mir to help hold it down for Team CC.

Wolfgangsta wrote:

BJ via mauling

Of course this mirrors my opinion on the fight

I still think it will be hard for BJ to dominate just given the matchup between these 2 but if he was smart he would take this to the floor at some point and sub him

I've got BJ winning, I think motivation being the difference between this and the 1st.

I think he does it in typical BJ fashion, dominate the standup, and if given a chance follow a hurt opponent to the ground for an RNC.

I do not see BJ trying for an early takedown and working his BJJ. That's just not his approach to the fight game.

im picking bj but i honestly kind of expect Frankie to pull off the upset again

I think BJ wins this fight by stoppage.

BJ is gonna take it to Frankie alot more this time. I see Penn winning the fight, but who knows what round?

BJ will get revenge for that bold ass decision that went against him last time and will defeat Edgar.

BJ makes a statement and ends this in the first round via strikes on the ground...

Wolfgangsta wrote:

LA I need you back until CC decapitates Mir to help hold it down for Team CC.

Well Wolf, I wish LA was back, because he brought a differing view on things, in which I didn't always agree, but I sometimes agreed with. That being said, maybe you should learn that each man has a breaking point, because we are prideful creatures, so as to know when to back off. That also being said, LA should have known not to take whatever the Hell happened so seriously, since it was coming from you. That being said...BJ beats his fucking ass in Boston on a Saturday night!

BJ Penn via Daddy Stevenson style beatdown.

Frankie ftw. I think he might mix in some more takedowns and repeat his striking performance. And as for Frankie not being able to finish BJ, there are only 2 people to ever do that. GSP and Matt Hughes, both bigger stronger wrestlers. Frankie is significantly smaller than them and BJ. But that doesn't mean he can't finish BJ, infact i think his chances of finishing BJ go way up in this fight simply because BJ is pissed that he got beat and i assume he is gonna come out super aggressive. This should open things up alot more for Frankie. If Bj comes out and starts wrecklessly throwing haymakers he is going to leave himself open to counters and wether people want to admit it or not Frankie has excellent hands and footwork and WILL take advantage of any mistakes BJ makes.

oggy420 wrote:

Frankie ftw. I think he might mix in some more takedowns and repeat his striking performance. And as for Frankie not being able to finish BJ, there are only 2 people to ever do that. GSP and Matt Hughes, both bigger stronger wrestlers. Frankie is significantly smaller than them and BJ. But that doesn't mean he can't finish BJ, infact i think his chances of finishing BJ go way up in this fight simply because BJ is pissed that he got beat and i assume he is gonna come out super aggressive. This should open things up alot more for Frankie. If Bj comes out and starts wrecklessly throwing haymakers he is going to leave himself open to counters and wether people want to admit it or not Frankie has excellent hands and footwork and WILL take advantage of any mistakes BJ makes.

GSP never finished BJ. Corner stoppage at the end of the 4th is not equal to one fighter stopping another.

Corner stoppage? Let's call it what it is. He quit and didn't answer the bell. That counts as a tko. Look it up on fightfinder.

That was a TKO. A TKO was waiting for Penn anyway at the rate that fight was going.

Yeah Penn got that ass beat and I love me some BJ. I still say GSP greased though.

Everyone knows he did.

I think GSP greased and I think he is an exciting fighter and probably the best fighter on the planet...but much like steroid boys who deny, they always get caught. Can you here me Shane?

The worst thing that could happen is BJ losing a decision no way on gods green earth does Frankie finish BJ.

Bj is gonna ass rape him.

BJ by submission, but if Penn relies on his hands again I wouldn't be shocked to see Frankie get the nod.