BJ Penn's future in the UFC or out of it?

A quote from BJpenn.com:

“I want to thank all the fans for their love and support. I have decided to take some time off to enjoy life, train and teach. I will keep you guys posted with what’s next.”

- BJ Penn


The crazy thing is this is almost word for word what he had to say afte GSP whipped his ass last time, literally.

I think he just needs some time off to think and recharge, and then hopefully he can make an unbiased decision.

I think the BJ is the type of guy that will just retire if he doesn't think he can be a champ again.

I don't think he can recharge, I mean we're talking about a guy who was never "charged" in the first place. He just seems like the kind of guy who fights because he likes it, not because he wants to be the best at it. The guys who like it AND desire to be the best have more or less taken over now and there isn't going to be room for anyone else. You have to be driven, you have to wake up every single day with that gold belt on your mind or you're wasting your time. I don't see BJ as that guy, never have.

When you look at the evolution of MMA, it started with guys who were just big and tough and liked to beat on people. Some had the drive, some didn't. Talent soon came rolling in and all the Tank Abbots and Tim Sylvia's were phased out. Now the guys who want nothing less than everything are here and they have the talent to boot, and guys like Fedor and BJ can't keep up. Talented? Absolutely. Driven? No. It works that way in any sport, but this is really the first time that people in our generation have had a chance to witness a new sport take off from the ground up like this.

^^^ This ... mostly....

HEY HEY HEY Tank Abbott just won his last four round fight.

I do agree with everything you say except for the vicious and unwarrented attack on my favorite fighter of all time. ( And I dont mean Fedor, Sylvia or Penn )

I do believe that the term "Prima Donna" does apply here.

Well that wasn't supposed to be an attack. I kinda threw that in for you but mainly I mentioned him because he embodied the UFC pioneer perfectly. Big tough goon, not much talent and not entirely driven. Definitely a head buster. Those guys dominated in the early years. Then the sport evolved, and APES like Tank went by the wayside. See now that was an attack!!!

I think BJ wants to be the best I just dont think he wants to have to work at it...lol

Fistk, I know you said that half-joking but you're absolutely right. Here's a guy who half-assed his training for the first portion of his career and was winning fights left and right. Now with other fighters catching up to him skill-wise he can't figure out why he isn't still coasting to title wins like he did before.

If he's going to be anything more than a possible contender in the future, he needs to change camps to get away from all of the guys he trains with that idolize him. If he gets to a camp that will push him and make him a better fighter then he can definitely make another run at the 155 title. But after Saturday's beating, it's pretty obvious that he's too undersized for 170.