GSP/B.J. Penn

MMA may be the oldest sport in the world (it’s pretty much Greek pancration), but it remains exciting, dramatic, and highly technical. MMA has shattered the cultish mystique of the traditional martial arts, exposed ineffective schools and systems, and helped many people such as myself find a sport that they can participate in.

This saturday it’s the battle of the initials! Canadian Georges St Pierre is poised to take on The Prodigy BJ Penn at UFC ninetysummat on Saturday. I can’t wait to see this bout – both guys are phenomenal…

On one side you have perhaps the greatest athlete in MMA, GSP. On the other, the preternaturally talented grappler BJ Penn. GSP is the bigger man, the better wrestler, but BJ is amazing off his back. He doesn’t need much to get a submission on, and that’s the mark of a truly great BJJ player – that he can get the sub against a sweaty, slippery guy who is striking with vicious intent. I’d give BJ the edge on the feet too – his boxing is sharp, precise and explosive, but you can’t count out GSP’s karate/kickboxing striking.

I’m gonna go with BJ on this one, but I hope GSP wins, simply because he’s a class act, and a dedicated athlete. Call me prissy, but BJ Penn’s licking of Sean Sherk’s blood made me sick, that was a revolting thing to do!

In the words of Big John McCarthy, “let’s get it on”!