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.

Thiago Alves, The #1 Contender

“It’ll be a great fight. I’m very excited, I can’t wait … It’s going to be great. I saw what he did with BJ Penn and I’ll have to beat him a lot, do my game. I expected and didn’t expect [St. Pierre to dominate Penn] understood? (laughs). I knew he would win, but not this way. He’s much bigger than the BJ, a better athlete, and the sport today, in that level, you have to be the best athlete. I’ll go there to knock him out.”

Thiago Alves is the #1 contender to face GSP for the Welterweight title and it definitely wont come easy. Thiago Alves began his Muay Thai training when he was 15 and mixed martial arts when he was 17, he currently holds a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Alves's most recent UFC success has come against Matt Hughes and Josh Koscheck, both fighters who are highly respected in the UFC. In UFC 85, Alves failed to make weight for the welterweight fight, coming in with 174 pounds. However, Matt Hughes still agreed to fight and it was a big mistake. Alves had surprised the MMA world by dominating the former champion in every aspect. In the first round Alves showed us that he improved his takedown defense, as Matt Hughes could not take him down. Alves went on to earn a TKO stoppage by hitting Hughes with a flying knee and finishing him with ground and pound.

Josh Koscheck replaced Diego Sanchez in UFC 90 and lost to Alves by unanimous decision by throwing excellent leg kicks and knocking Koschek down multple times.

Dana White has announced that Alves, as the number one contender to face the winner of the welterweight championship fight in UFC 94, which we now know is GSP. Alves was surprised that GSP had dominated Penn in such a fashion and if Alves plans to strip GSP of his belt, he is going to have to improve on every aspect of his game.

GSP Greasing it up - Cheater?

In the latest Mixed Martial Arts news, Our beloved Canadian boy GSP, is being accused of "greasing up" for his most recent fight against BJ Penn. Give me a break, this isn't John Travolta's hit movie Grease Lightning, this is GSP.

Funny how all MMA fighters start complaining only once fight results don't favor them.

Amongst the list of Fighters blaming GSP for putting Vaseline on his back: Sean Sherk, Jason 'Mayhem' Miller, and BJ Penn.

Maybe GSP perspirates heavily in the guard? that could be a reason for the slippage even though Miller has inadvertently referred to GSP as a cheater.

"While locked in my tight guard, I noticed that I was having trouble keeping my opponents head down. I practiced shirtless with my training partners, and never had this much trouble keeping a guy from punching me. Was this guy uber strong or something? Not exactly.
My opponent, now up two rounds, was coated in vaseline! Greasy Bastard, I thought."

Dana White was ticked off after seeing GSP's corner man rubbing Vaseline on his back between rounds and does not hold GSP at fault. A few times during rubber guard, Penn was trying to use his flexibility to perform a triangle and you could see his feet continuously slipping down after every attempt.

While fan's will be blinded by their loyalty and devotion to George St. Pierre's octagon superhero appeal, mixed martial arts hardcorists understand the pain opponents feel losing to what they believe, is a cheater.

Penn's camp has officialy filed a complaint, and the case remains under review.