13 Nov sinceeversince:BJPenn&FokaiDamashii.com
via FuryMadness A.K.A:RichardChou
BJ Penn will be taking on the legendary Renzo Gracie on July 29th at the Aloha Stadium as the main event of the K-1 World Grand Prix. We caught up with The Champ recently at his training camp in Hilo. Here’s what he had to say…
Did you ever think you’d be fighting Renzo Gracie?
I never thought I’d be fighting him in my whole life.
It’s gonna happen though and after this I’m gonna retire………. psyche!!!! I’m gonna take a break after this one though, probably take 6 months off and just train hard. I’m gonna hone my skills and get ready to fight again in December hopefully.
What are your thoughts on Renzo?
Legendary fighter who’s been around for a while. I remember him fighting back in the day when I was 16 years old. When I was a kid I NEVER thought I’d be going into a fight with him and him being the underdog.
What’s the training like for this one?
Good training actually. Very tough training. I’m training with Charuto, Allan Goes, wrestler Joe Clark, my stand up coach Rudy Valentino, and my same team down here in Hilo. We’ve got some new blood in so they’re keeping me on my toes. I feel good, this is just another fight, this is strictly business, just ready to do my thing. I’m not trying to prove anything extra but going in there to finish. I don’t want to make it a long drawn out fight. I’m gonna go right after him from the bell.
Are you disappointed this is not in the cage?
No,I like the ring too, it’s all the same.
How do you feel about the opportunity to be the main event for the first event ever at the Aloha Stadium?
It’s unbelievable man. Unf#$%ing believable.
Is this the biggest fight of your career?
Good question. I don”t know. I wonder if people think that. I don’t know.
Okay, how about this one: is this the biggest fight in BJJ history?
That’s a good question too. This just might be the most important Jiu Jitsu fight ever. One of the toughest, hard nosed Gracie fighters against the only American to win a world championship. Man, you just pumped me up!! You just got me ready for this fight. This is the biggest fight in Jiu Jitsu history.
Are you the new Gracie Killer?
Absolutely not. I know people will go around saying it but I don’t look at it like that. If Ralph or other people in his family are disappointed that I’m fighting Renzo there is nothing I can do. I’m not a kid anymore, I’m a man. Whatever happens, happens. I’m just there to do my job.
What’s the game plan?
Go right in. Be relentless and in the end he will be traumatized. Don’t stop from the first minute and go, go, go. Don’t stop till your face hits the ropes. Fists flying, feet flying, people flying.
Let’s switch gears for a hot minute. What are your thoughts on a Hughes rematch?
I think it would be one of the biggest fights in the sport today. It could have been the biggest fight in the world if we were fighting on TUF season 2 but now they’re going to have the 102nd biggest fight in the world with Franklin vs. Hughes. The Hughes rematch is gonna be a big one when it happens, if it’s promoted correctly.
Your thoughts on MMA today?
MMA is on it’s way. It’s still in it’s infancy. The more new people who will be watching TUF, that’s the first exposure they will have to MMA and fighters. Those guys are going to be big names. After a while people will get used to the sport and start wondering who are the best guys out there really are. Just like in boxing. The De La Hoya’s the Mayweathers. Where are all these guys? Once everybody starts finding out who the best guys are, once the casual fan starts watching the best guys in Pride, K-1, UFC, Rumble, etc. and then starts recognizing them, that’s when the sport is going to get big. Then I think it’ll just blow up from there.
Who inspires you?
Rickson Gracie, Chad Hao, I don’t know. I don’t even know why I fight anymore. I do it because everything else is just boring I guess. Nothing else to do. Partying is boring already. Seriously though, I’m still excited about fighting and bringing in new training partners so things don’t get stale. I never even thought I’d be UFC champion. I was just fighting for fun. It’s the only thing that gets me excited. I’m not trying to put any fighters down because there is always a fighter who you can meet your match with, but I just like being involved with big fights. I mean people will say this Renzo fight means nothing but how can it mean nothing if 20,000 people are sitting there watching? You know it means something. High energy, high intensity, it’s exciting. It’s the kind of stuff I wanna be involved with. The 2 best fighters in the world could fight in a closet and nobody finds out and it won’t mean s**t. It’s all about having the people watch an exciting fight.
Tell me what you think about a few big names in MMA.
Let’s start with Matt Hughes. Infidel. He doesn’t believe in me.
Vanderlei Silva.
A great champion.
Fedor.
My favorite.
Why is he your favorite?
Everything about him. He’s relentless, hits hard, he’s strong, throws guys around. Kicks eveybody’s ass.
Kind of like you huh? A bigger version of you?
Ha ha! I don’t know?!
If you were 250 pounds, would you be Fedor?
I’d be Fedor ………with bricks!! LOL!!
We heard your entrance for this fight is going to be nuts, can you tell us about it?
It’s supposed to be awesome, hopefully we don’t mess it up. You’re just gonna have to wait for it………
Message to the fans and haters?
To all the fans, thanks for the support, to all the haters my greatest support has come from within and that’s the way it will always be.
Any words for Renzo?
See you on July 29th. Be ready. Be ready.