Las Vegas Weekly

January 30, 2009 · 8:42 AM

B.J. Penn hopes to avenge loss to Georges St. Pierre for second MMA title

By Robin Leach

Arianny Celeste and Georges St. Pierre.

Photo: www.gsprush.info

UFC head honcho Dana White hails it as “the super-fight”! When B.J. Penn and Georges St. Pierre step into the ring tomorrow night at MGM Grand Garden Arena, it certainly will be an eagerly awaited showdown.

B.J., nicknamed “The Prodigy,” may conquer “Rush” St. Pierre in the “revenge and redemption rivalry.” If successful, B.J. would become the first UFC fighter to ever hold two championship belts in different weight categories simultaneously.

Photo: Judy Eddy

B.J. Penn.

That would produce an incredible predicament: Just which title would he have to or want to defend first? B.J., 30, has lost only three fights in his career!

It was nearly three years ago that these two super-athletes last met, and the split decision in the welterweight match-up went to 27-year-old Georges. B.J. dropped down into the 155-pound lightweight class and won that title.

It’s not only the title’s aspect of this rumble that has fans on the edge of their seats. Georges has won his past four fights and B.J. his past three. Those winning streaks add to it being one of the most anticipated fights in UFC history. They have both been in training the past four months.

Photo: www.gsprush.info

Georges St. Pierre.

Photo: gsprush.info

Arianny Celeste and B.J. Penn.

Dana commented: “Fans are still talking about their first battle three years ago. It was an epic battle of the two best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport. This new rematch to settle a final score will be talked about for years.”

There’s also an intriguing undercard battle between two Brazilian fighters: Thiago Silva and Lyoto Machida are undefeated, and each man is at 13-0 in their records. We also have Las Vegas resident Stephan Bonner fighting Jon Jones in another undercard battle.

But all eyes will be on the possible history-making battle between Georges and B.J. to see if revenge is sweet! If you can’t score a ducat for the arena, Mandalay Bay will host closed-circuit viewing beginning at 7 p.m., while doors open shortly after 4 p.m.

Photo: Alex Loc Thieu/Tryst

UFC President Dana White.

The 411 on the after-parties

Win or lose, B.J. will host his official after-fight party at MGM’s Studio 54. Bruised and battered or victorious, Georges will throw his bash at Rok Vegas in New York-New York. Dana will host the official UFC 94 after-fight party at LAX in the Luxor.

— From Vegas Deluxe

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