Rematch: GSP vs PENN III in Summer 2009

From bjpenn.com

“For the past several days I have been reading statements made by St. Pierre and Greg Jackson about our fight on January 31. St. Pierre claims that he is ‘not a cheater’ and that he and Greg Jackson will have ‘no problem with a rematch in the summer of 2009.’ To the untrained eye the grease might not look like much, but every grappler knows the effect that it has. Being able to apply your submissions and sweeps or just being able to hold on to your opponent to defend yourself from being hit is absolutely critical! There is a reason why you are not allowed to put grease anywhere on your body except for the area around your eyes. Because of the grease applied to St.Pierre’s Body the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s executive director, Keith Kizer has stated that the Penn-St. Pierre fight ‘definitely wasn’t fair.’ I hereby accept George St. Pierre and Greg Jackson’s challenge for a fight in the summer 2009. Lets call Dana now and set it up.”

BJ Penn had requested the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) to investigate this "greasing" matter. GSP made claimed that they use the vaseline as part of a breathing technique. GSP has offered Penn a rematch, which would most likely take place after GSP squares off against Thiago Alves. The NASC concluded that the application of the vaseline gave GSP a huge advantage in the fight, since Penn is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu artist, he focuses his fighting style on grappling and especially the ground game.

The controversy has extended to changing the rules of the cornermen.Proposed changes courtesy of SI.com:

- Cornermen associated with the fighters will no longer be allowed to handle the Vaseline used in between rounds to treat and prevent cuts.

- The UFC will now provide one cut man for each corner for the fight.

- Only two people are allowed to enter the Octagon between rounds so if a cut man is necessary to apply Vaseline or work on a cut, one of the other cornermen working with the fighter must exit the cage to allow the cut man to work.

Outside of GSP and Penn, nobody would like to see a rematch, the hype has died down and we would all like to move forward to see GSP vs Alves.