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B.j. PennB.J. "The Prodigy" Penn (born December 12th 1978 in Hilo, Hawaii) is a professional Mixed martial arts fighter. Penn is widely regarded among Mixed martial arts fans and commentators as the best fighter in the 155lb-170lb weight class, and pound-for-pound one of the best fighters in the world. At the age of seventeen he began training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and in 1997 he started training under Ralph Gracie. After only three years of training, Penn had established himself as one of the most successful submission wrestlers in his weight class. After being awarded his black belt in 2000, he became the first non-Brazilian to win a gold medal in the black belt division of the Mundial World Championships held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. His accomplishments caught the attention of the UFC, where he began his Mixed martial arts career less than a year later in 2001. He would showcase his strong striking skills that year, knocking out top-tier lightweights Din Thomas and Caol Uno before suffering a decision loss to Jens Pulver. He bounced back in 2002, and is undefeated since, winning victories over the likes of Takanori Gomi and Duane Ludwig. But the crowning achievement of Penn's career came in 2003 at UFC 46. Penn jumped up in weight classes to challenge the five-time welterweight champion Matt Hughes to fill a title contention slot in a division where Hughes had already defeated all the available opposition. Heavily favored to win, Hughes lost the fight four minutes into round 1 by rear naked choke. Since defeating Matt Hughes, B.J. split with the Ultimate Fighting Championship to fight in the K-1 organization. Due to his contract, he surrendered the welterweight title by default, which Matt Hughes recovered in his absence. But Penn has continued in his "mission to conquer the MMA world" as one columnist described it, winning an easy decision over Rodrigo Gracie at Rumble in the Rock 6. External links Penn, B.J
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