The "Prodigy" BJ Penn! The Story Behind the Fighter!

The "Prodigy" B.J. Penn was born on December2000. It takes most people a decade to gain there
13,1978, his full name is Jay Dee Penn. He is currentlyblack belts in BJJ not to mention winning the world
the UFC lightweight champion and he is also a worldchampion jujitsu championship, but Penn did it in three
jujitsu championship winner. With wins over Kennyyears. Penn won the BJJ championship in Rio De
Florien, Mat Hughes, and Diego Sanchez, it's noJaneiro, Brazil.
wounder why B.J Penn is one of the most fairestDanna white saw B.J Penn at the tournaments and he
fighters in all of mixed martial arts.got a change to meet him, and Danna then convinced
Penn was the first American, and non Brazilian to winPenn to start training in MMA.On may 24, 2001 Penn
the Brazilian Jujitsu championship. Penn was awardedmad his debut in the UFC, he took on and beat a tough
his black belt in BJJ in less than five years; witch ledfighter, named Joey Gilbert. He would then go on and
him to his nick name "The Prodigy". He has also wondefeat Din Thomas, and Caol Uno. After those
two UFC titles in two different weight classes, there isvictories Danna gave B.J. a change to fight for the title,
only one other man who did that. Penn is currentlybut he lost in a decision against Jens Pulver. Penn
ranked #1 in the light weight division.would then head over to Japan and fight in pride
B.J stated his training at the ripe age of 17, his neighborwhere he beat Takanori Gomi. Penn would finally win
Tom Callos introduce him to the sport and B.J fell inhis champion ship belt in 2004.
love with jujitsu ASAP. Tom also coached and thoughtFrom 2004 till 2008 Penn would jump back and forth
B.J's brothers as well. B.J would eventually move onweight divisions, fighting George St-Pierre, and Matt
and train with world famous Ralph Gracie, in till he wasHughes. Penn would then finally set up a title fight
a purple belt. After receiving his purple belt fromagainst Kenney Florian at UFC101. Penn would go on to
Gracie, he started training with Nova Uniao and hedefeat Kenny and he still holds on to the light weight
was awarded his black belt by Andre Pederneiras intitle.