<--------This guy.
I can't pick the exact reason why BJ is my favorite fighter of all time, I probably can't articulate why or what it is about him as a fighter that puts him above all others in my mind but I'll try. I've been around this stuff since day one and have gotten to witness all the greats pre, during, and post prime in real time. There are a few guys over the years that for some reason have captured my fan-hood more than others.....The Goat(Fedor of course), Frank Shamrock, and Rickson to name just a few.
What is it about this fella from Hilo that makes some guy from the east coast of the US stop anything and everything he was doing or had planned to do because there might be a re-airing of a Prodigy fight or an interview etc? Hard to say.
I'm not much of a fanboy of anyone in any form of sports or entertainment, I'm one of the last guys you'll ever catch asking another man for an autograph or picture(nothing wrong with it, just not in my nature)....but two fighters to step in the ring/cage that I would knock old ladies and little babies out of my way to try and shake their hands are Fedor and BJ. The rest I may admire and If I was across the room from them, I may stare a bit longer than normal and take in their aura for a sec, but that's about it.
Fans like to always say how they think BJ has huge balls and is willing to fight anyone anywhere....and though that is true, there is more to it in my eyes. Anybody that steps foot in a ring or cage to get in a fist fight has huge balls from jump street. A lot of times fans lose that perspective. But BJ had an unwavering willingness to step in against fighters knowing he was outgunned, whether by weight, skill, training, dedication, etc. For instance, Donald Cerrone will take a fight on a moments notice against probably anyone, anywhere, just like BJ, but the difference being you probably won't ever see Cerrone out of shape and in a compromised state and still taking these fights.....BJ would and did, maybe to the detriment of his legacy or career in some peoples eyes....but not mine. There are a few guys who have done this throughout the history of mma and almost universally for the exact same reason.....$$$$$$. But not Baby Jay....he never really needed the money.
He is a warrior, through and through. No doubt about it and any way you slice it.....he craves combat, deep down in his bones.
Many say, if BJ had only done this, or if BJ had only done that.....he could have been the greatest of all time. Hogwash, BJ took what life gave him and did the very best he could with what he had mentally and physically.....not every human develops the same work ethic or physical abilities or intelligence etc, but a two division UFC World Champion is the top of the food chain boys and girls....what do you have with your perfect dedication, perfect diet, perfect SAT scores, and your perfect training regimen?
From my perspective, and many will disagree I'm sure.....but BJ Penn in his mental prime(think of his '07-'09 run at LW), is the greatest LW of all time. That was a window of what the best BJ was capable of.....and he was an absolute destroyer at 155.
Anyway....I suck at explaining my thoughts but I have rambled enough.