BJ Penn -vs- The UFC

**DanDavis** · Posted On: 7/23/2004 3:47pm

According to mmaweekly.com, BJ Penn is suing the UFC. It turns out that the Nevada State Athletic Commission prohibits exclusive contracts between fighters and promoters. BJ also claims that there was no such agreement between him and the UFC. Therefore, he had every right to fight in K-1 and the UFC can't strip him of his belt.

**Strong Machine** · Posted On: 7/23/2004 9:11pm

There is an unstated UFC rule wherein if you fight outside their org. then you won;t be back.Frankly, I think BJ has a case.
Pulver wouldnt sign a 3 fight deal for about 45 grand a fight and he fought Ludwig in japan for a rumored 165 G's, and the UFC cut him.
I think the UFC is crazy.Obviously ANYONE will go for the big money.The UFC should just let K-1 et al pay their big fighters bills knowing the Penns, Pulvers and Bustamoves will come back to the UFC cause being on live american PPV is good for the ego and the overall career.
The UFC has turned into a kind of Pride/K-1 training ground.It's like Triple A baseball.
So they got no champ at 155, 170, 185 and over 205.
They got 1 champion.
And whoever wins Vitor or Randy, you damn well KNOW that they will be offered huge money to jump ship to a japanese org.
Penns suit could end this.

**Shuma-Gorath** · Posted On: 7/23/2004 10:02pm

What about Chuck? He fought twice in Japan. Was it because Dana White was backing it?

***Omega Supreme*** · Posted On: 7/23/2004 10:57pm

Yeah, shum that was about it.

**MuayThaiBri67** · Posted On: 7/24/2004 1:49am

UFC are pretty much being a bunch of asses about this. Their company is slowly going downhill. They either best get their act together or once Pride comes to the states (I believe in September) they will be left in the dust.

**Marek** · Posted On: 7/25/2004 4:20pm

UFC doesn't have a problem with people from K-1 or Pride fighting in UFC and vice versa, title-holders aren't allowed too though.

I like the UFC mainly because of the Octagon concept, it's time Pride ditches that boxer ring. I've seen more than one fight where people in a bad position just drag their ass over the edge and get restarted standing up.

**MuayThaiBri67** · Posted On: 7/25/2004 8:45pm

You could say the same about UFC fighters that drag their asses up against the fence to get themselves standing again. Lets face it Pride has better marketing and puts on a better show. My main thing with Pride is that they can't elbow to the head.

**Strong Machine** · Posted On: 7/25/2004 10:05pm

You're crazy, marek.Cages prevent action.They create a situation where it is easiest to win by just getting a guy to the fence and stalling.

**Shuma-Gorath** · Posted On: 7/25/2004 10:10pm

The Japanese always favor action, sort of like how Judo rules favour standing throws over lenghty groundwork (to the point of that absurd standup-ends-naewaza rule). The UFC cage obstructs the spectator's view and allows fighters to stall.

I think UFC should go for the cage sunken in like a pit with the seats above the cage rim, and more aggresive resetting of the fighters. The problem with that is you get situations like in Brazil where people could conceivably throw things into the ring.