Fighter Profile: B.J. "The Prodigy" Penn

Born: Hilo, Hawaii

Height: 5’9” Weight: 170 lbs

Age: 30

Organization: UFC

• BJ has accumulated a 13-5-1 Mixed Martial Arts record over the course of 7½ years, most of which has been spent fighting in the famed octagon of the UFC. Although, he has been known to take a great deal of time off between fights he has been busy the last 2½ years by sporting a record of 3-2 in the UFC against stiff competition including the likes of Sean Sherk, Matt Hughes, and George St. Pierre.
• He is known as an accomplished ground fighter training out of his own gym BJ Penn’s MMA in his hometown of Hilo, Hawaii. Of his 13 wins in his MMA career 5 have come by way of his slick submissions, 5 more by TKO and 3 by decision.
• Fighting throughout his career in both the Lightweight division (155 lbs) and Welterweight division (170 lbs) he currently holds the UFC Lightweight Championship belt. He gained that title January 19, 2008 by beating Joe Stevenson at UFC 80. He also is a former UFC Welterweight division title holder when he defeated Matt Hughes at UFC 46 in 2004 but quickly gave up the belt by leaving the organization in February of the next year.
• Has been criticized early in his career for being limited in his striking and also his stamina. Has quieted all doubters by showing his improved stamina and striking game in his last 3 fights against Stevenson and Sherk and his LW rival Jens Pulver, whom he defeated at the TUF 5 finale in June 2007. He choked both Pulver and Stevenson out in the 2nd round and went all five rounds with Sean Sherk in May of 2008 at UFC 84 Ill Will.
• BJ tried become a champion in two divisions by taking on George St Pierre again at UFC 94 but lost to GSP by Referee Stoppage in Round 1. Later there was extreme controversy around the amount of Vaseline St. Pierre's corner used.
• Penn will face top Lightweight contender Kenny Florian at UFC 101 on August 8, 2009, in Philadelphia.
• Whatever the outcome BJ is at the top of his fighting career and will go down as one of the best pound for pound fighters in UFC and MMA history.

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Recent BJ Penn MMA News:

• Defeated Kenny Florian by Submission at UFC 101 on August 8, 2009 - UFC 101 results

• Defeated Diego Sanchez by TKO at UFC 107 on December 12, 2009 - UFC 107 results

• Lost to Frankie Edgar at UFC 112 by Unanimous Decision on April 10, 2010 - UFC 112 results

• Is expected to face Frankie Edgar at UFC 118 on August 28, 2010 in Boston, MA - UFC 118 fight card & results

By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer
Updated July 2009

Photo courtesy of UFC