CHESSNOID

George St Pierre dominated BJ Penn in their last fight and ended it with a 4th round TKO.   I think the first round was basically even, but rounds 2-4 was one sided.  What happened after round one is what the mma world has been talking about.  Apparently, one of GSP’s cornerman put some vaseline on GSP shoulder and back unintentionally after the 1st round and in between the other rounds.

GSP youtube video in between rounds

The NSAC was aware of the situation but really didn’t do much to enforce the rules, if it really is a rule. They did enter the ring and attempt to wipe down the vaseline. Apparently it didn’t work.  I did watch the fight a second time, and I did notice BJ Penn’s legs sliding right off of GSP’s back when he was in his guard, but I thought that was just because they were already both sweaty.

I don’t know if the outcome would have been different without that incident.  Everyone has an opinion and good arguments to support it.  The bottom line if it is a rule and it is broken then it needs to be enforced. If it is not a rule, then it is what it is.  The NSAC said it is improper or this raised red flags during the fight, so why didn’t they DO something right there and then.  The towel semi wipe was obviously not the solution. Was the NSAC afraid of doing its job? This part was the NSAC’s responsibility and not GSP or BJ Penn’s job.

MMA Weekly:

The perceptions may vary, but the executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission – the sanctioning body that maintains authority over UFC 94 – confirmed to MMAWeekly.com on Monday that there is an issue at hand that is based in fact.

“After the first round ended, the fighters are getting ready for round two. One inspector noticed a (St. Pierre) cornerman, Phil Nurse, putting Vaseline on George’s face, then kind of rubbed him down a bit, which would be okay if he was clean,” asserted Keith Kizer.

Such an impropriety immediately raised red flags and put him on full alert, especially with this mega-fight occurring just one week after another wave of doctoring controversy had crashed over the Antonio Margarito vs. Shane Mosely boxing match in California. Margarito was suspended and ordered to attend a hearing due to a foreign substance found in his hand wraps on the night of the fight.

“After round two, I watched him like a hawk,” said Kizer. “I’ve only entered the ring maybe three or four times (in my career) during a fight, but I did this time.

Watching the pay-per-view, Nurse is clearly seen on camera applying Vaseline to the face of St. Pierre following round one. It is difficult to tell the amount of residual Vaseline on his hands, but he does clearly rub St. Pierre’s shoulders and then reach around to touch his upper back. The extent to which such actions affected the actual in-ring action are unclear, but what is clear is that such action was a violation Nevada’s regulations.

“They didn’t take a big glob and throw it on his back. After putting Vaseline on (St. Pierre’s) face, he put his hands on his body. I don’t know if it was intentional or not, but it was improper,” Kizer continued, who confirmed that an inspector did use a towel to wipe St. Pierre’s back between rounds two and three, and three and four.

He also indicated that Penn mentioned to a commission inspector in his corner that he was having trouble controlling St. Pierre. “He did bring that up to the inspector after either round one or two, I’m not sure which. I didn’t know that until (Monday) morning.”

Personally, I like GSP because he is humble champion and lets his fists do the talking inside the ring.  He is definitely a high caliber fighter and I have enjoyed all his previous fights.  He has issued a challenge to BJ Penn to put the matter behind him, and apparently Penn has accepted the challenge in his website.

MMA Weekly:

St. Pierre added, “I have never cheated in my life, and as my fans know, I am deeply committed to upholding the integrity of the sport. My entire camp and I have been completely open about what happened during my fight at UFC 94 – we have nothing to hide.”

He went on to address the ritual that coach Greg Jackson attributed to witch doctor Steve Friend, who has worked closely with St. Pierre with an energy inducing technique. “One of my cornermen did use an energy technique to help with my breathing that involves rubbing my back. He’s also done this in my previous fights. If there was any Vaseline left on his hand after he put it on my face, it was unintentional, and I do not believe it made the slightest difference in the outcome of the fight.

“Of course it’s up to the UFC, but I would be happy to offer B.J. a second rematch,” said St. Pierre. “I am confident the outcome will be the same.”

The statement concluded with the camp focusing on the future. “Team GSP is currently enjoying our victory celebration and we will soon turn our attention and focus toward Georges’ next competitor – Thiago Alves.”

Penn, on his official website, BJPenn.com, accepted St. Pierre’s offer of another rematch, “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! … 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.”

With Alves patiently awaiting his title shot against St. Pierre, and Kenny Florian anxious for his opportunity at Penn’s lightweight belt, another rematch between St. Pierre and Penn isn’t likely to happen this summer, but the stage is being set.

I guess it is up to the UFC to decide if it wants to promote it.  BJ Penn did a lot of smack talking before the fight so people wanted to see him get knocked out.  I don’t know if this superfight rematch will be a big draw now that BJ Penn has lost twice to GSP.