BJ Penn is ready to take on "The Nightmare"
B.J. Penn’s mind doesn’t think about the possible outcomes.
It’s just not part of his new found maturity. He’s focused on the fight and Penn will need to when he takes on Diego Sanchez at UFC 107 in Memphis, Tenn.
“As a younger fighter, I used to think on how all things would play out,” Penn said. “You always go and expect anything can happen. You go in and want it to be a good night for you. You have to expect the worst. I’m the champion. I’m expecting to do what I’m expectedto do. That’s one thing we’re going to find out.”
As if the mental aspects of MMA weren’t enough, Penn had to deal with the physical challenges that will come with fighting Sanchez.
Sanchez (21-2) is nicknamed the “Nightmare,” for the frenetic pace, he sets in all of his fights, and if Penn has been inundated with questions about his cardio and if he can keep the pace with an opponent that keeps coming forward and rarely allows opponents to get a second to breathe.
Penn (14-5-1) is far from concerned, however. In fact, he’s been dealing with this in his last bout with Kenny Florian at UFC 101. He brought in controversial, yet overwhelmingly effective strength and conditioning coach, Marv Marinovich to help him work on that aspect of the game.
He insists that he hasn’t felt any better during his career, which has spanned five years, and owes it all in part to Marinovich.
“Marv is on a different level,” Penn said. “Every other trainer is doing the same stuff. They give you a couple of stations. It overtrains you, as you move into the camp. You start to get tired and injures you. … Marv’s exercises are based on performances. It’s hard to sit here and explanation.
”I honestly believe that all the other work destroy nervous system, and they get worse. All the other work outs out there are moving that are designed to slow you down and destroy your nervous system.”
Penn rarely has had a bad thing to say about his opponent, respecting Sanchez’ ability to take the fight anywhere.
Aside from preparing for the pace being non-stop for five rounds, he brought in opponents who weren’t going to sit in his half guard for the entire duration of the bout and ones who were looking to finish him by any means necessary.
“We tried to make sure the training partners were explosive and try not to hold you in half guard for 10 minutes. He’s going to push the pace and you have to be ready for that,” Penn said. “Diego is good in all areas. He got great takedowns and jiu-jitsu. I’m sure he has heavy hands, and he’s improved his hands. It will be dangerous, if you didn’t know the type of fighter he is.”
Penn is thankful for the chance to do what he does, and when he steps into the cage on Saturday, it’s just another part of his “dream.”
“I’m happy. This is a victory for me to be here right now, and to live my dream again,” Penn said. “It’s amazing. I can’t believe how far I’ve come in this life.”
