BJ Penn vs. Rickson Gracie Prime for Prime

I meant with his power and ferocity, as I said. Rickson would be much more likely to be able to get a fight into his preferred area against the smaller Penn than the bigger, stronger, more powerful striker Fedor. I don't favor Rickson over either, I just don't think a matchup between the bigger, stronger Rickson against another BJJ fighter(albeit a more well rounded one) in Penn favors Penn as much as everyone else.

 

GSP didn't get those hot knife through butter easy takedowns because he was bigger and stronger, he got them because of technique.

Penn's wrestling technique is almost as much better over Rickson as his striking is, which is to say its alot better. The guys who Rickson fought that could take him down were not particuarly advanced grapplers, and the advanced grapplers were not great at takedowns, Penn is both.

 

:think So do you feel the size advantage would play a part? I have my doubts as Rickson would always come in top shape and BJ would be moving up in weight (I would assume) for this bout.

Rickson has been doing Gracie Jiu Jitsu since he was in the womb and as talented as BJ may be, I really dont feel this being more than an even match overall and grappling wise, Rickson is from many accounts extremely well versed in jiu jitsu.

 

I just hope no one is implying that Penn can survive against Rickson on the ground. Cause if you do, you should quit life.

 

I don't know if I would go as far as to say they should die, but I do agree with most of what you said.

Rickson would not fear having a smaller fighter like Penn in his guard. If Rickson could not successfully take Penn down with a single, double, or throw; he would pull guard. BJ Penn would not ground and pound Rickson Gracie. Penn's only chance would be to land the cleaner strikes, avoid submission, and somehow win a decision if the fight were using today's rules. I think Rickson would catch him, but I would not discount Penn entirely in such a setting.

If they were to fight without rounds or time limits, Rickson would definitely get Penn down. With no round endings or stand-ups to put the fighters back on their feet, Penn's fate would be the same as any other of Rickson's oppenents under such conditions.

 

?

Maybe not in a gi grappling session starting from the knees.

Take off the gi, add elbows, things change quickly in Penns favor. Ground and pound today has advanced as much or more than any aspect of MMA in the last decade.

Size factor? Well Penn can look ok at 170, Rickson was about 185-187, it would play a factor, but a small one.

Penn would probably get the takedown if he wanted to, and could probably stop it if he wanted to.

 

No, Rickson manhandles BJ Penn on the ground. People gota forget this Hughes vs Royce, it doesn't fit this argument. I agree it has developed but Rickson has done BJJ all his life Gi and no-Gi. Rickson prime is years ahead of Vinny from TUF, I'll as far as saying BJ Penn wouldn't be able to handle confident Vinny on the ground.

 

Rickson vs Zulu.

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Rickson vs Rigan Machado - better jiujitsuan than anyone BJ Penn ever faced excluding Renzo.

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Rickson vs Masa Funaki who holds submission victories over Ken Shamrock and Bas Rutten.

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You've started this thread just because you want to argue - but these are mythical match ups so it's ultimately a waste of time. You say you don't respect Rickson - so be it - but the man was unbeaten from the birthplace of mixed martial arts. Time and circumstance prevented him from competing further as he was nearing the end of his career when the rest of the world finally started to catch up.

And that bull**** you keep saying about BJ Penn "dominating" Renzo - is just that - bull****. It was a close - utterly boring fight which was little more than jockeying for position and BJ Penn was able to get a slight advantage to secure a win.

Wanderlai is just jealous because Rickson choked out his mentors.

 

And Wanderlei knocked out Ricksons students

 

Listen, I don't even give in to the hype of Rickson Gracie. He talks a lot of smack. I always laugh at the mention of his record. But comparing BJ Penn's BJJ to Ricksons is laughable. Pretty much comparing BJ Penns' boxing to Sugar Ray.