Thiago Alves vs BJ Penn at 170

I would like to see it, but only after Penn fights Pierre. It seems like there is unfinished business there. A lot of people think conditioning cost him during his fight with GSP. Losing due to conditioning may well be Penn's own fault, but it would be nice to see how much Pierre has improved since their last meeting.

Then, if Alves can defeat Penn, Pierre has one more fight that makes sense at 170. If not, Pierre needs to go to 185.

 

Alves should go to 185 he cant make 170. If he did BJ submitts him.

 

Being a blackbelt aint rare at all. Just about 99 percent of brazilian fighters have one.

 

I really want to see him fight Parisyan again..

 

It does happen but not that much. Roan Carneiro is another guy who has a black belt in BJJ and has been submitted twice.

 

I hope Penn goes after Alves first. Both those guys are on a roll
right now and seem to be peaking. It would be a great eliminator
fight to get to GSP. I think if Penn faces GSP first he will get beat
badly just like Hughes and get ruined like Hughes. GSP really ruins
fighters careers. I'd like to see Penn get one more great victory at
170lbs. before being inevitably slaughtered by GSP. Forget all about
Georges skills which are incredible, it's his weird, freakish strength
that puts him above the fold IMO. THe few times a world-class wrestler has got him on his back, he just pivots his body and throws
them off. I've seen no other mma fighter do that. Penn gets up
because of his incredible leg flexability but GSP does it with brute
strength, no fancy submissions or sweeps, just throws them off him.
Watch the first Matt Hughes fight for an illustration. GSP is just
too strong for Penn at this stage of their respective careers IMO.

 

Penn would sub him.

 

Damn thats kinda shocking to here considering it was just 2 years ago that both fought in one I think shouldve been a draw. BJ is not going to get beaten up like Hughes did they are completly different fighters.

 

:nod

 

I have no doubt Penn would beat Alves

 

2 years is a very long time in mma. GSP is two years better, stronger,
more experienced, etc. At just 26 he is entering his prime. BJ is also
somewhat better now in that he takes his training more seriously and
his cardio should be better. However, Hughes did get the better of
Penn on the ground and won their fight. GSP is going to manhandle
BJ and send him back to lightweight. He is too strong; much stronger
than Hughes and way more dynamic and athletic a fighter. It will be
an exciting fight to watch though and I will pay for it for sure.