Uppercut Magazine.com - UFC 137
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UFC 137: Friends BJ Penn and Nick Diaz Battle in Vegas
By Don Avila
Northern California’s Nick Diaz and Hawaii’s BJ “The Prodigy” Penn are known worldwide as two mixed martial arts practitioners who can do it all in the fighting arts. But when it really comes down to it, plain old scrapping is what they do best.
Former UFC lightweight champion Penn (16-7-2) again moves up in weight again but this time to fight his friend the ever turbulent Diaz (25-7) in the welterweight main event at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Ultimate Fighting Championship 137 will be televised on pay-per-view.
The giant MMA organization pulled this fight out of a hat
after multiple cancellations that included injuries, miscommunication and late
replacements. One way or another UFC was going to put on a fight show in
Diaz has slowly become one of the more followed prizefighters in MMA simply because of his dogged persistence. In his first venture with UFC he was viewed as a decent but uninspiring fighter back in 2006. He’s evolved into a slug-first-ask-questions-later kind of brawler who gives no quarter and asks for none.
Fans and foes have learned to appreciate the enigmatic Diaz.
“Nick is Nick. He’s going to do what he does,” said Penn who considers Diaz a friend after sparring with Diaz and his brother Nate Diaz recently. “I enjoy watching the stuff Nick does. He doesn’t change. He does always show up for the fight.”
What Diaz presents is a hard core fighter whose macho style has opened eyes to fans and opened the door to another opportunity with UFC. It’s been five years since he fought for the MMA fight group. After impressive wins against KJ Noons, Frank Shamrock, Robbie Lawler and Paul Daley fans expect excitement from the bruising fighter.
“As for Nick, he spars with guys like Andre ward. He was planning to fight Roy Jones Jr. and Jeff Lacy. He can stand up with anyone,” says Penn acknowledging Diaz’s prowess as a boxer. “I have a lot of people trying to talk to me about standing up but he’s the best boxer in MMA.”
Penn has had an equally turbulent career filled with numerous peaks and valleys that include winning titles in the lightweight and welterweight divisions. Though he’s considered one of the finest Brazilian Jiu-jitsu practitioners in the world he’s very comfortable slugging it out with anyone and any size. Wins over Matt Hughes, Diego Sanchez, Joe Stevenson, Takanori Gomi among others has solidified Penn as one of the greats in MMA.
Diaz was supposed to fight UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre but that was scuttled due to a no-show by the Northern Californian for a press engagement. Then after the champion was injured the fight with Penn was arranged by UFC.
“I think BJ is a much better fighter on the technical level,” said Diaz of his friend and now foe. “He’s much better in jujitsu and boxing. I think he’s a much better fighter than GSP (Georges St. Pierre) all around.”
Truthfully, neither fighter was pleased when UFC’s White announced the match between them.
“I’m not happy about it at all fighting my friend. I signed to fight a certain guy. This doesn’t make it easier fighting people I already know,” admitted Diaz during a conference call. “We’ve spent a lot of time training together. I’m just doing what my manager says. I just do what I’m told.”
Penn echoed that sentiment adding that they are professionals seeking another world title shot.
“Neither one of us asked for it,” said Penn about being matched together in the main event. “There is no friend in the Octagon.”
Other bouts
Heavyweights Cheick Kongo (26-6-2) versus Matt Mitrione (5-0) and Mirko Cro Cop (27-9-2) against Roy Nelson (16-6). Bantamweights Scott Jorgensen (12-4) fights Jeff Curran (35-13-1) and featherweight Hatsu Hioki (24-4-2) meets George Roop (12-8-1) to round out the pay-per-view card.
