Penn: The belt’s not real, only the fight
When B.J. Penn finishes his career he may go down as one of the greatest fighters and champions of all…
When B.J. Penn finishes his career he may go down as one of the greatest fighters and champions of all time, but don’t try to tell him that right now.
As Penn readies for the rematch with Frankie Edgar at UFC 118, the Hawaiian is tired of hearing the old clichés about how he’s the greatest, and that he’s untouchable in the lightweight division. That day has passed, and Penn wants to hear none of it.
“First of all, no one is untouchable,” he said on Thursday. “If they are they just haven’t run into the right guy.”
It’s always been a label that’s followed Penn throughout his career, from his early days knocking out opponents in the UFC when he was dubbed “The Prodigy.” He may still go down as the greatest lightweight to ever step foot in the Octagon, but he’s not willing to accept that persona.
The only thing that’s real is the fight,” Penn stated. “Everything else is fake.”