Biography
The fighter of mixed martial arts Bi Jay Penn has established itself in this sport as a fearless opponent, ready to go on battle with anyone, regardless of the weight category. Incredible flexibility allows him to deftly shy away from attacks, while he himself owns an excellent technique, his blow to right is considered one of the best in MMA.Childhood and youth
Penn was born in December 1978 in the city of Kailua, Hawaii, USA. His father is an American with Irish roots, the mother is also an American, but with Korean roots. The boy since childhood was mobile, loved active games, parents tried to direct his energy into the right channel and recorded in different sports sections.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Bi Jay was carried away at the age of 17, the young man led to the section of his neighbor Tom Calos, who initially taught the boy and his brother on his own sport. And when classes moved to a more professional level, the guy's coach became Ralph Grassi. Soon he achieved certain success and won a black belt, which was presented to the leader of the Nova Uniao team Andre Pederneras.
In 2000, in his biography, the first important victory in the speeches on the BZHG, where he in the category of black belts took the 1st place, at the same time becoming the first not Brazilian who won on the world championship.
Martial arts
Achievements of Penn in Jiu-Jitsu attracted attention from the organizers of combat martial arts, which soon convinced Bi Jay to try themselves in MMA. So in 2001, Penn made his debut in the UFC, and his debut exit to octagon ended with the victory over the opponent Joy Gilbert in the 1st round. In the same year he fought with two lights, Japanese Caаne Uan and American Dina Thomas, and both won times.
However, the next meeting with compatriot Jenz Pulver ended with defeat. Although a man stood against the opponent, the full 5 rounds, a separate decision of judges, victory was awarded the latter. So bi jay lost the opportunity to become a UFC champion in a light weight category.
Further athlete was waiting for another 2 victories in a row when he went to octave against Paul Creiton and Matt Serry. After some time, after that, Jenson Pulver refuses the championship title and decides to leave the sport, and Penna again fell out the opportunity to fight the champion belt. His rival in this battle was Cola Uno, with whom he had already performed before and even defeated the Japanese. However, this fight became a real failure for the athletes themselves and the audience, because after 5 rounds the battle ended in a draw.
This event upset Penn, but he did not beat his desire to perform in mixed martial arts and further. Proof of this is its fighting in 2003 and 2004. At first he defeated the Japanese Takanari Gomi, and after - two Americans. One of them became Matt Hughes, who at that time he wore the championship belt, but did not speak in a lightweight, and welterweight.
To repel from the opponent a reward, Bi Jay is specifically rising in the weight category. Already in the 1st round, after 4 minutes after the start of the fight, the man lost. Penn applied a suffocating reception. So in 2004, the American for the first time becomes the UFC champion.
However, long-lasting Penn stayed in the champion status. After the fight with Matt, he concludes a contract with the organization K-1, and UFC immediately deprives the title athlete. However, it did not stop the fighter, and already under the auspices of the new company, it occurs in a fight with a Duyne Ladviga, which in less than 5 minutes is striking by choking reception. In the next fight in the 3rd round, Rodrigo Grassi is developing with Brazilian. This time he acted in middleweight, again appeared in a new weight category.
2005 began for the fighter not so good. In March, he meets with Brazilian Lioto Machida, however, after the 3rd round, a unanimous judicial decision was awarded to the opponent of Penn. Soon this defeat is forgotten, as the American is also unanimous judging decision eats victory from Henzo Graci.
In 2006, Penn returns to UFC and enters into a fight with a challenge for the fight for the title of welterweight champion George Saint-Pierre, but he failed to defeat the opponent, the decision of the judges was in favor of Canadian. Soon the winner was injured in training, and in the UFC announced that in battle for the champion belt it will be replaced by bi jay. And his rival this time again became Matt Hughes, who through 2 rounds pulled the victory from his opponent.
The following 3 fights in 2007 and 2008 with Jenz Pulver, Joe Stevenson and Sean Sher ended for American victories. Moreover, with the second of the opponents, he fought for the title of UFC champion in lightweight weight, again taking the cherished prize. And in the fights with Kenny Florian and Diego Sanchez, he successfully defended the title.
The next belt protection took place in 2010, his rival was Franki Edgar, the la name of judges wins the latter and becomes the new owner of the title. After that, Bi Jay again met with Matt Hughes, over which she won the 1st round of the 1st round by knockout, and with John Fitch, with whom a draw made a draw.
Further, the shoot of the victories of Bi Jia has passed, 3 of the following fight in the period from 2011 to 2014 with Nick Diaz, Rory McDonald and Franki Edgar ended for Penna defeats. The man took a 1.5-year-old career break and only in January 2016 declared that he wants to return to UFC.
The first after this news the battle took place in early 2017 against Mexican Yair Rodriguez, who also ended for Penn with losses. And in June of the same year, he is inferior to the opponent from Germany Dennis Ziferu. Once again, he managed to go to the ring a few days before the new 2019, Bi Jay is struggling with Ryan Hall. But having received pain from the opponent, the American surrenders in the middle of the 1st round.
Personal life
About the personal life of the fighter knows a little. From "Instagram" and interview with Penn it is clear that he has two children - both girls.
The daughters were born from his civil wife, with which a man did not enter into an official marriage. In its social network, the athlete lays out a photo with his family, as well as pictures from training, which he regularly visits.
Bi ja penn now
Penn and now continues to play sports, sparring with other fighters, probably preparing for new outputs into octave.
So far, it is not clear whether lovers of mixed martial arts will be able to see B Ja in the near future in the near future. Despite the defenders of defeats in recent years, a man did not declare a career. Today, he still supports himself in shape (height 175 cm, weight 77 kg).
Titles and awards
- 2000 - Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- 1998 - 2nd place in the category of blue belts at the World Jitssu World Championships
- 1999 - 3rd place in the category of brown belts at the World Championships in Jiu-Jitsu
- 2000 - 1st place in the category of black belts at the World Jitssu Championship
- 2004 - the best fighter of the year in MMA
- 2004 - Hydride UFC Champion
- 2008 - UFC champion in welterweight