(This piece appeared in 8CountNews on November 21, 2008)

by Mark Lorenzana

If BJ Penn’s last two fights should be a gauge of what to expect from “The Prodigy” when he faces George “Rush” St.–Pierre in their rematch at UFC 94 in January, then we all should be excited.

Penn showed just how excellent his ground game is when he fought Joe Stevenson for the vacant 155-pound title at UFC 80. Penn did a good job of controlling the fight on the ground and managed to cut Stevenson’s forehead with an elbow in the first round. In the second, it was just a matter of time, as Penn continued to dominate the bloodied Stevenson on the mat. The latter eventually tapped out due to a rear-naked choke.

Penn was crowned the UFC Lightweight Champion. Then, as if to punctuate his dominance over his opponent, Penn licked his gloves, gloves that were drenched in Stevenson’s blood.

Fast forward to UFC 84 against Sean Sherk. This time, Penn displayed his strong stand up game. Penn rocked Sherk several times in the first two rounds before finally knocking him out in the third. The end came with a Penn jab followed by a right uppercut and another jab. The punches didn’t seem to land flush but they were enough to back Sherk off. As Sherk bounced off the cage, Penn greeted him with a knee to the face. Sherk went down in a heap and was pounded out. Some argue that perhaps the outcome had a lot to do with Sherk’s decision to stand and trade despite his strong wrestling skills. After all, Sherk has never been known as an explosive striker. But I beg to differ and say that the win had to do with Penn’s ever-improving overall skills.

Penn retained his UFC lightweight belt. But not before he went out of his way to go over to the fallen Sherk, wipe some blood off Sherk’s forehead, and lick the blood off his hand.

Whether Penn can do the same to GSP remains to be seen. Especially since Penn still holds the stigma of a loss, albeit a close one, to GSP in their first fight. So to Penn, nothing could be sweeter than revenge.

But this is easier said than done. GSP, the reigning UFC Welterweight Champion, has been stellar in his last four outings since his shock loss to Matt Serra. He has since won by unanimous decision against Josh Koscheck, submitted Matt Hughes, knocked out Serra in their rematch, and outfought a game and dangerous Jon Fitch.

Indeed, BJ Penn has his work cut out for him. Nonetheless, it seems he can’t wait to step into the Octagon with GSP.

Right after his fight with Fitch, GSP didn’t mince words: “I’m ready to fight everybody. Everybody who deserves a shot. I know BJ Penn wants it and I want to do it. Whoever they give me, I’ll do it. He deserves it.”

To which Penn, stepping into the Octagon in street clothes, grabbed Joe Rogan’s microphone and immediately responded: “Let’s do it. Let’s put the fight together. Let’s do this.”

GSP put in the last word: “I am not a chicken; I don’t want to duck anybody. I’m a proud champion.”

It’s safe to say that they are both proud champions. And neither one would duck anybody, especially each other.

This is the reason there’s a rematch, and this is why it’s going to be a guaranteed barnburner.

It remains to be seen whether BJ Penn has any blood-licking to do. But it’s certainly the one thing that might make revenge a little sweeter.