B.J. Penn`s peak performance era may be long past, but his reputation for greatness from that time has certainly not faded.
Recently, on his podcast, Joe Rogan spoke about Penn. He first touched upon how improvements in physical conditioning helped the former two-division UFC champion reach his highest potential. Rogan then went on to suggest that a prime B.J. Penn would have been a significant challenge for any lightweight competitor, even the highly regarded Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Rogan recalled Penn`s training under Marv Marinovich during his prime. Marinovich employed unorthodox methods focused heavily on plyometrics, explosive exercises, and sprints, aimed at building an “insane gas tank.” Marinovich reportedly believed that during training camp, fighting technique was secondary to having unparalleled endurance, as Penn already possessed the fundamental skills of a world champion. Rogan claimed that when Penn trained this way, he was “unstoppable.” While acknowledging that Khabib is often considered the greatest lightweight ever, Rogan asserted that the version of B.J. Penn seen in fights against opponents like Joe Stevenson, Sean Sherk, and Diego Sanchez—when he was at his peak under Marinovich`s training—could compete with anyone. He highlighted Penn`s formidable ground game, describing his submission skills from his back as “insane” and noting that taking Penn`s back was practically a guaranteed finish. Rogan also praised Penn`s elite striking and kickboxing.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has become a frequent choice when discussing the greatest fighter to ever compete at 155 pounds, and with good reason. He retired in 2020 undefeated with a 29-0 record, successfully defending his lightweight title three times and securing victories over numerous prominent fighters and future UFC Hall of Famers. His dominant wrestling style often led to one-sided wins, and his decision to retire five years ago left many fans wishing they could have seen him continue to face the top contenders.
B.J. Penn`s career record of 16-14-2 does not fully reflect the incredible force he was during his prime. He delivered spectacular performances at both welterweight and lightweight, making him a fan favorite during the UFC`s growth in the 2000s. His notable rivalries with Georges St-Pierre and Matt Hughes are considered among the most famous in MMA history. Although he won championships in two weight classes, he was arguably most feared and effective in the lightweight division.
Rogan speculated on how Khabib Nurmagomedov might approach a hypothetical dream fight against B.J. Penn.
Rogan predicted Khabib would definitely look to take Penn down, perhaps employing a strategy similar to Georges St-Pierre. However, he pointed out the significant size difference; GSP was a large welterweight at 170 lbs, while Penn was primarily a 155-pound fighter, even dropping to 145 lbs later in his career. Rogan described GSP as a powerful 170-pounder with excellent wrestling, nasty ground-and-pound, a jiu-jitsu black belt himself, and strong striking. Rogan also brought up the controversial accusations of “greasing” against Georges St-Pierre in their fight, suggesting that GSP being slippery would be a major disadvantage for a grappler like Penn, who was particularly skilled fighting off his back. Rogan emphasized Penn`s incredible flexibility and dexterity, noting his ability to lock his legs in a lotus position from guard without using his hands, making his guard incredibly dangerous and difficult to pass.
As a confessed B.J. Penn enthusiast, the author admits to having often pondered whether a prime Penn could have truly challenged the formidable Khabib. They note that this perspective comes from someone who also entertained the possibility that Khabib might face difficulties against Tony Ferguson.
