brvheart
09-25-2006, 01:13 PM
Back in Hawaii - BJ Talks About Yesterday's Title Fight.
After just arriving back in Hawaii, BJ talks about the outcome of his tough UFC 63 title fight against Matt Hughes ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) which took place yesterday evening at Arrowhead Pond in Anahiem CA.
Interviewer:
So BJ how are you doing?
BJ:
I just got back to Hawaii. I'm resting up, I have some injuries. Other than that I'm okay.
Interviewer:
So you just fought Matt Hughes ([Only registered and activated users can see links]). Could you walk us through the first round?
BJ:
I felt good, I was happy that I was defending Matt's takedowns. I could see that Matt improved his standup. I wish I tried some takedowns, but other than that I was happy with it.
Interviewer:
You say he improved his standup. How?
BJ:
He was dodging my punches well, and he had a good jab.
Interviewer:
What did you think of his takedowns?
BJ:
His takedowns were good and strong, exactly what I expected.
Interviewer:
Take us through the second round.
BJ:
I felt great going in, Matt started trying to take me down from my right leg, it's something I expected he might do. He got me down against the fence, but I was thinking about this position alot and I was ready. When he went for a big elbow, he missed and I capitalized and started going for his back. At this moment, when I was making the turn towards his back, I felt my ribs seperate on my right side. Although I didn't know the severity of the situation. I was thinking I have to finish him now because I knew something was wrong. Matt defended himself well and got through the round. When I got up to walk to my corner, I knew something was wrong, but I didn't want to talk about it with my corner. I wanted to be the champ. I wanted to keep fighting.
Interviewer:
What about round 3?
BJ:
I remember standing up out of the corner in pain. But I was thinking, "Earn your title this is what you have to do to get your belt back, fight through the pain". I knew the oppurtunity I had with getting this fight, especially after losing my last fight. I wasn't going to quit on the corner. I kept going because I honestly believed it was destiny. When me and Matt were boxing I felt like I couldn't breathe and had no mobility in my core. But I kept thinking something good is going to happen. When Matt started dominating the stand up I tried for a takedown. I had nothing and pulled to guard. I felt like I couldn't do anything on the ground. But I was still positive. Matt hit me in the ribs from half guard. The pain was so excruciating I had to use my far hand to block it. I would rather Matt pass my guard and punch my face the hit my ribs. When Matt was in his favorite position that he likes. I was still thinking I was going to win somehow. Big John gave me plenty of time. I practiced defending against that position with flexibility, but I had none with my core. Even when Big John stopped the fight, I was still so positive I thought I escaped. Congratulations to Matt, he is a great fighter. It's not his fault that that happened, he fought like the champion he is. He deserved the victory.
Interviewer:
So how are your ribs doing now?
BJ:
There just hurting, I couldn't sleep last night, I couldn't lay down, Every time I breathe it expands my ribcage and aggrevates my ribs.
Interviewer:
How do you think your conditioning was for this fight?
BJ:
I was training great. I trained 5 to 6 rounds a couple times a week. I was also doing explosive cardio and getting proper rest.
Interviewer:
Anything to say to your fans?
BJ:
Thanks for your support. I already got a lot of emails from my fans. Thank you very much.
Interviewer:
So what is next for BJ Penn ([Only registered and activated users can see links])?
BJ:
I've got to take care of my ribs, so I'm taking 2 months off, and my suspension for the TKO. I talked to Dana and he said to give him a call when I'm ready to fight. It takes a long time to prepare for these fights and I'm very disappointed I got injured like that. I gotta sit down for a couple weeks and clear my head and see where I am in fighting.
After just arriving back in Hawaii, BJ talks about the outcome of his tough UFC 63 title fight against Matt Hughes ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) which took place yesterday evening at Arrowhead Pond in Anahiem CA.
Interviewer:
So BJ how are you doing?
BJ:
I just got back to Hawaii. I'm resting up, I have some injuries. Other than that I'm okay.
Interviewer:
So you just fought Matt Hughes ([Only registered and activated users can see links]). Could you walk us through the first round?
BJ:
I felt good, I was happy that I was defending Matt's takedowns. I could see that Matt improved his standup. I wish I tried some takedowns, but other than that I was happy with it.
Interviewer:
You say he improved his standup. How?
BJ:
He was dodging my punches well, and he had a good jab.
Interviewer:
What did you think of his takedowns?
BJ:
His takedowns were good and strong, exactly what I expected.
Interviewer:
Take us through the second round.
BJ:
I felt great going in, Matt started trying to take me down from my right leg, it's something I expected he might do. He got me down against the fence, but I was thinking about this position alot and I was ready. When he went for a big elbow, he missed and I capitalized and started going for his back. At this moment, when I was making the turn towards his back, I felt my ribs seperate on my right side. Although I didn't know the severity of the situation. I was thinking I have to finish him now because I knew something was wrong. Matt defended himself well and got through the round. When I got up to walk to my corner, I knew something was wrong, but I didn't want to talk about it with my corner. I wanted to be the champ. I wanted to keep fighting.
Interviewer:
What about round 3?
BJ:
I remember standing up out of the corner in pain. But I was thinking, "Earn your title this is what you have to do to get your belt back, fight through the pain". I knew the oppurtunity I had with getting this fight, especially after losing my last fight. I wasn't going to quit on the corner. I kept going because I honestly believed it was destiny. When me and Matt were boxing I felt like I couldn't breathe and had no mobility in my core. But I kept thinking something good is going to happen. When Matt started dominating the stand up I tried for a takedown. I had nothing and pulled to guard. I felt like I couldn't do anything on the ground. But I was still positive. Matt hit me in the ribs from half guard. The pain was so excruciating I had to use my far hand to block it. I would rather Matt pass my guard and punch my face the hit my ribs. When Matt was in his favorite position that he likes. I was still thinking I was going to win somehow. Big John gave me plenty of time. I practiced defending against that position with flexibility, but I had none with my core. Even when Big John stopped the fight, I was still so positive I thought I escaped. Congratulations to Matt, he is a great fighter. It's not his fault that that happened, he fought like the champion he is. He deserved the victory.
Interviewer:
So how are your ribs doing now?
BJ:
There just hurting, I couldn't sleep last night, I couldn't lay down, Every time I breathe it expands my ribcage and aggrevates my ribs.
Interviewer:
How do you think your conditioning was for this fight?
BJ:
I was training great. I trained 5 to 6 rounds a couple times a week. I was also doing explosive cardio and getting proper rest.
Interviewer:
Anything to say to your fans?
BJ:
Thanks for your support. I already got a lot of emails from my fans. Thank you very much.
Interviewer:
So what is next for BJ Penn ([Only registered and activated users can see links])?
BJ:
I've got to take care of my ribs, so I'm taking 2 months off, and my suspension for the TKO. I talked to Dana and he said to give him a call when I'm ready to fight. It takes a long time to prepare for these fights and I'm very disappointed I got injured like that. I gotta sit down for a couple weeks and clear my head and see where I am in fighting.