feeling to have achieved UFC titles in two weight classes, how does it feel? Has that always been part of the goal?

BJPENN- It’s really is good to finally get it in the lightweight because that’s the one I went for first and OntheMat has been there with me from the beginning and the lightweight title is what it was about from the beginning and to miss it with the Pulver fight and then with the Uno fight, going in to this I was like I would have to have died in there, there was no way I was going to miss it again. There was no way I was going to have to hear, man you almost got the belt or you should have done this and this, yep I would have had to of been dead so I didn’t have to hear that shit!


ddn- Steroid use has and will always be an issue in pro sports and I don’t think it’s any surprise to our readers that a lot of the Pride fighters were allegedly boosting their training, do you think that the strict testing in the UFC has contributed to some of the losses we have seen?

BJPENN- It kinda does look like some of the pride fighters are off the juice and that they gotta find a different way now. But you still got guys doing good like Quinton Jackson and Anderson Silva so I wouldn’t say that over all everyone in Pride was doing steroids but you do have to speculate because they don’t test in Japan. But you can’t point a finger if you don’t have proof.


ddn- In your history do you think that you have fought any fighters using steroids?

BJPENN- There is a good possibility that I have fought fighters that were on the juice but even worse than steroids is the blood doping that is even cheating more, steroids is one thing your stronger whatever, technique can beat strength but when you add more to your cardio that the other guy doesn’t naturally have, now that’s is a just a coward thing to do.

ddn- Has anything changed in the training plan for the Sherk fight?

BJPENN- Well Joe was a more deadly submission guy, Sherk probably has a little better hands and powerful takedowns and explosiveness but I just gotta keep my focus, train for Sherk but honestly I don’t really feel like I am the champ and I am here to just fight fights.


ddn- Bringing in any new training partners?

BJPENN- Yep Urijah Fabor is here and Grey Maynard is coming, lots of wrestlers and I know if I train hard and come out sharp, I am not underestimating Sherk but I don’t see where he stands a chance.


ddn- I know you still have to beat Sherk to solidify being the lightweight champ. I know that Sherk is a great athlete, but knowing you, I know your master plan is beyond Sherk. Are you thinking about GSP or Hughes or even taking a crack at Anderson Silva, whacha thinking B?

BJPENN- After I beat Sherk it would really be great to see who’s next in the lightweight division. I would love to keep the lightweight title and I also want to get a shot to avenge GSP and Hughes, Anderson Silva is a great fighter but I gotta take care of some other guys first.


ddn- Many people may not remember or know that you went three rounds Lyoto Machida, for those who do, saw BJ bullying him around in the first round, the judges gave the fight to Lyoto but the fans sure thought you won. Who do you think will win the Tito vs Lyoto fight?

BJPENN- Yea – Tito has a really good style for Lyoto, Lyoto hasn’t been in the fence and Tito can get him there and really use those elbows and ground and pound. I think that’s what it is going to come down to. Tito getting his game on getting those takedowns, stabilizing, making space and ripping those elbows down like in the old days, should be a great night for him. Lyoto he’s got to do what he did to Sokoudjou, Lyoto is probably a little better in the trading but Tito is always getting better with his stand up. Lyoto needs to work his Jui-Jitsu, sweep and work his way back up, but it’s a tough fight.

ddn- Do you think Lyoto has the same game as when you fought him or has he improved?

BJPENN- I think Lyoto has the same strengths as before but his jiu jitsu looks better and he was a tough guy then and he still is, he punches hard.

ddn- Given your history of supporting our armed forces, and knowing my brother Mikee is a rescue swimmer for the US Coast Guard protecting our borders from terrorists coming in from Canada and saving any poor soul whom needs helio support. Can you hook him up with a decent seat for the Sherk fight? I promised him I’d ask.

BJPENN- Ill talk to Dana wish me luck…