While B.J. Penn`s peak fighting years are behind him, his legacy of greatness endures. On a recent podcast, Joe Rogan discussed Penn, emphasizing how enhanced physical conditioning unlocked the full potential of the former two-division UFC champion. Rogan proposed that a prime version of Penn could pose a serious challenge to any lightweight competing today, including the highly acclaimed Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Rogan recounted Penn`s training regimen under Marv Marinovich, characterized by unconventional methods focused on plyometrics, explosive drills, and sprints, prioritizing an “insane gas tank” over conventional fight training during camp. Rogan believes this specific training period produced an “unstoppable” version of Penn. While acknowledging that Khabib Nurmagomedov is frequently cited as the greatest lightweight ever, Rogan contended that the B.J. Penn seen against opponents like Joe Stevenson or Sean Sherk, the one at his absolute prime under Marinovich, “I would put him against anybody.” Rogan highlighted Penn`s dominant performance against Diego Sanchez and praised his formidable submission skills from his back, his dangerous back takes, and his high-level standing striking.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is widely considered the greatest lightweight of all time, a claim well-supported by his career. He retired undefeated in 2020 with a 29-0 record, having successfully defended his lightweight title multiple times against elite contenders and future UFC Hall of Famers. His suffocating wrestling style frequently resulted in decisive victories, and his retirement at a relatively young age left many fans wishing to see him continue competing against the best.
B.J. Penn`s professional record of 16-14-2 doesn`t fully capture the dominant force he was in his prime. During the UFC`s expansion in the 2000s, his spectacular performances at both welterweight and lightweight quickly made him a fan favorite. His memorable feuds with Georges St-Pierre and Matt Hughes are considered classic rivalries in MMA history. While he achieved champion status in two weight categories, he was arguably most feared when competing at lightweight.
Rogan speculated on how Nurmagomedov might approach a hypothetical matchup with Penn, suggesting that taking the fight to the ground would be his likely strategy, similar to Georges St-Pierre`s approach against Penn. However, Rogan pointed out the significant size disparity between Penn and St-Pierre, with GSP being a considerably larger welterweight. He also brought up the controversial fight where St-Pierre was accused of “greasing,” making him slippery and difficult for a grappler like Penn to control. Rogan emphasized Penn`s remarkable flexibility and dexterity, particularly his effectiveness from guard. He described Penn`s ability to hold his legs in a lotus position without using his hands, stating that being caught in his guard was exceptionally perilous due to his “insane” submission game from that position.
