Hilo’s own BJ Penn, considered pound for pound the best fighter in the world, is part of the Ultimate Fighter Season 5 reality series.  I was fortunate enough to catch the premiere episode last night of Spike TV.

The series tries to find the next Ultimate Fighter where 16 fighters are competing for a six figure multi-fight contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC), the premiere mixed martial art event in the world.  BJ Penn was hired as one of the coaches who will lead a team of 8 against the opposing coach Jens Pulver.  Jens beat BJ years ago when BJ was an up and comer.  Jens eeked out a decision but during one round, Jens looked to have tapped out to an armbar at the last second of one of the rounds.  Although controversial, Jens did end up with the decision win and BJ has been looking to avenge this loss.

Now BJ has dropped weight to get to the lightweight division at 155 for a chance to redeem his loss against Jens years ago.  The season finale will air sometime in June and BJ and Jens will meet in the octagon to settle the score.  There is much animosity between the two, and it was reported that after the show, Jens completely hates BJ and has been quoted that he wants to “knock out BJ’s teeth” whether he wins or not.  BJ, considered by many as probably the most talented fighter pound for pound, is looking to make a statement in the lightweight division, and Jens is the perfect opponent for his comeback.

I have been the biggest BJ fan for a while.  I’ve seen all his fights, not only in the UFC, but his fights in Japan for the K1 organization.  I’ve also been fortunate to witness a few of his fights in Hawaii when he fought for his brother’s organization Rumble on the Rock.  The reason I like BJ is because he always seeks to better himself.  He only challenges the best, and fights whoever it is no matter the weight.  He gained 15 pounds to challenge the once unstoppable Matt Hughes who was the current UFC middleweight champ at the time, and Matt was the huge favorite.  Although BJ looked basically “fatter”, he dominated Hughes and submitted him to become the new middleweight champ.  He also flew to Japan to fight a MUCH larger Ryoto Machida who was weighing around 225 while BJ was walking around 180 pounds.  Many thought BJ nearly won against the undefeated and larger Ryoto, but BJ loss through a decision.  BJ went on to dismantle two Gracie’s who are legendary to the sport, and dominated current UFC middleweight champ Georges St. Pierre in the first round, bloodying up the current champ and breaking his nose, before BJ tired out.  Many thought BJ deserved the win, but the judges scored it a split decision to Georges based on Georges’ takedown attempts, although he did not hurt BJ at any point.

I’ve also heard that this season’s Ultimate Fighter series is the best yet, with all the lightweights laying it all out on the table and making it an exciting season.  Plus, with the animosity between BJ and Jens, the season is sure to have some drama and maybe a few fists flying.

Make sure you check out the Ultimate Fighter series with Hawaii’s own BJ Penn.  The show airs on Thursday nights.  I predict that BJ will not only beat Jens, but he will also clean out the division and become the UFC lightweight champion of the world.  Mark my words…he is THAT good.

You can also read more about BJ at his own website at www.bjpenn.com.

• BJ Penn to Fight This Saturday
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