Rory MacDonald says he is going to hurt BJ Penn worse than GSP did
Posted on July 25, 2012, 01:35 PM by Mike Drahota
Already one of the UFC's most dominating young prospects, Rory MacDonald has an ultra-valuable opportunity with his fight against BJ Penn at UFC 152 in Toronto, Ontario,Canada. The Welterweight has seen little opposition to his powerful style of fighting, aided by the expert tutelage of one Georges St. Pierre at the TriStar Gym. Penn has publicly expressed his dislike for MacDonald's gym, and also recently backed out of the VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association) drug testing procedures that he had requested for the fight. On Tuesday, a press conference took place for UFC 152, but Penn was nowhere to be found. Not surprisingly, this prompted a response from the focused MacDonald, via MMAFighting.com:
"I'm training for the best BJ, you know what I mean? I'm preparing to be the best version, I'm going to come out evolved. I'm going to come out in good shape, explosive, exciting like I always do, and I'm going to be very technical. I'm going to be on point. I don't know where B.J.'s at. He didn't even show up to this. The last time I saw him he looked really out of shape. I don't know where his head is at in this, but he better get serious or I'm going to hurt him very badly."
MacDonald is pulling no punches leading up to his fight with Penn, and his words do make one wonder if the talented but sometimes unfocused Penn will be at the top of his game after coming out of retirement. As far as the drug testing issue goes, MacDonald had agreed to Penn's insistence. However, Penn rescinded when the VADA would not let the results be released after the fight per his request. MacDonald questions Penn's motives and focus. The voluntary testing could have possibly sparked a trend in MMA as well, as MacDonald mentioned:
"I think he did it just to start s---, to get something going. But I was up for it. I said let's do it. I was ready to prove that I'm not on anything and maybe motivate other fighters to start doing it, too. But he was the one that offered it and then backed out of it. He started making all these sayings like they weren't going to release the test before the fight. He started making up all this stuff, so I don't know really what's going on with B.J.'s head right now."
Drama and hype is beginning to unfold quickly for this highly anticipated fight. BJ Penn is no stranger to controversy, and he is facing a truly motivated challenger in the twilight of his career. He will need a razor-sharp focus and determination to get his hand raised in Toronto. MacDonald summed it up with his closing statement:
"I fight for myself and that's it. I'm not worried about that. He's all upset because Georges whipped him, but I'm going to hurt him even worse."
Which Penn will we see come to the Octagon on September 22nd? Does he stand a chance against the surging “Ares” at UFC 152 in Toronto?
Comments
Take it easy sport...you are great and will probably win...but you dont say shit like that about BJ...he forgot more things than you have learned so far...show some respect.
I think Rory will win, but I hope to see an Upset , I want BJ to teach him humility and submit him
...show some respect?
To Penn the whiner?
To Penn, the talented but lazy.
Respect 16-8-2 career?
Respect a fighter who does not show up for the press and promotions?
Only Tito has more excuses for bad performances.
I agree with Codemaster. Rory's not arrogant he is just confident in his ability and annoyed with Penn's antics.
Penn's a big boy both in the cage and in the trash talking. He can take it Rory's words so relax boys.
This is actually what BJ needs to light a fire under him. I suspect without Rory's words BJ won't train and will eventually back out of the fight "injured".
A little cold, but completely accurate.
I suppose I was angry about BJ doing a complete reversal on the VADA testing with Rory. Rory wanted it because some ill-informed fans jump to the conclusion that acne = PED use. Penn was trying to be sly, but Rory jumped at the chance to vindicate himself--so Penn decided nevermind. Which was a crappy thing to do. I was hoping the VADA testing might start a trend in the UFC, since I am weary of discussions over PED use--I want to talk about fighting--not cheating.
Penn HAS been in some great fights, and he HAS had some great performances for which he will always be remembered. Yes, Penn has won two divisional belts--but he has also had a lot of terrible fights where he fought below his abilities because of his cardio. Penn has also lucked out in getting top fights when other fighters have had to earn their title shots.
Well, that's a little off. BJ is the prodigy and he fought the toughest guys in his division, even reached 190++ for a fight with Machida.
He may not be as motivated as Rory, but never underestimate him, more so his MMA record.
Don't forget, Rory's a little clumsy with his striking. BJ has excellent boxing, take down defense and superb BJJ. I hope BJ surprises many and wins this fight, but it is a long shot.
dude is serious! like him!
LOL k relax bro, bj is going to smash him
BJ isn't going to smash anybody. MacDonald is right, Penn did not even show up for the presser. How serious can he be about this fight?
Fact is that this fight should not even happen. Rory should be fighting a current top contender W.W. at this time like Hendricks.
Penn is a legend, but his glory days are over and he should have retired after the Diaz fight.
It occurs to me that showing up to a press conference actually has absolutely nothing to do with training.
Now I know Penn is known for being unfocused, but that has to do with his training habits, not his press conference habits.
Nick Diaz did not show up for his press conference, but I doubt anyone will ever accuse him of not taking his training seriously.
This means nothing.
I remember The Who announcing their final tour...the first one. I think here was about four more after that.
It was kind of sad to see such a great band lose there way, believing their own PR. Or even sadder if they didn't, but still did it anyway.
Not willing to let go, when it's your time, tarnishes what came before, even if it was really great. Right BJ?
As it is said time and time again, a motivated and in shape BJ Penn is almost unbeatable.
I think he can still physically be a world beater but at this point in his career I just don't think he is prepared to go through hell to become that beast.
MacDonald definitely can do more damage than GSP as his style is more aggressive but historically BJ only gets beat up bad from being worked (GSP and Diaz fight) and not so much from an all out offensive.
If Rory comes out all guns blazing as usual he can definitely be stopped by BJ but if he takes his time and methodically work on the legend, then I fear for Baby Jay.
BJ will be no match for the younger, taller and mor athletic McDonald who also has cardio for days.
Mc Donald need to shut the **** up...
almost all the new upcoming talented guys will beat up old legends
like tito chuck bj aso.
dont wann talk shit but if i would fight wanderlei now i would propely beat him or give him a hard challange but in the past i had no chance at all.
its hard to get motivated for fights over and over againe plus age is a factor!!
Probs to the legends wheter its samrock gracie bj chuck tito aso.
mma envolves very quick
stop bitching and show respect or fight in the ufc so we can bitch about u
Huh?
Mc Donald has this.
He's more well rounded nowadays than Bj and the only way he could loose, imo, is by submission.
The problem with that though is that Bj doesn't like to go to the ground anymore.He prefers to stand