BJ Penn comments on the meeting with the NSAC
UFC Lightweight champion BJ Penn talked with FightersOnly.com after the meeting with the Nevada State Athletic Commission and Penn discussed the meeting and his thoughts on the situation.
I didn’t know what to expect going in at all to any of this stuff. It’s hard to say. They didn’t make any final judgements on anything. At least we had a chance to present our case. It’s not that we gained any ground or the commission gained any ground or this and that. I’m just glad we got to speak our piece.
On the DVD that the Penn camp made that wasn’t shown.
It was kind of strange the video the commission showed. It really wasn’t the best camera angles I thought to be showing what happened in the corner in between the rounds. People can say why are the people coming out now saying all these things about Georges St. Pierre. Sean Sherk was saying all these things years ago he just doesn’t want to say anything more because the fan reaction. Jason Miller said it years ago. He doesn’t make excuses about anything. He goes out and fights. He has fought the best guys. He doesn’t make excuses. Matt Hughes goes out there and says what he says. The funny thing is when Sherk and Miller fought St. Pierre, were Nurse and Greg Jackson his coaches at the time? That’s another question that should be looked into. If Sherk and Miller are making those statements four years ago it’s not going to benefit them today. It was four years ago. Was Nurse and Jackson with St. Pierre then? It’s something to look into.
On the breathing technnique
Steve Friend was there, I’ve worked with him before. We aren’t disputing it was a breathing technique. We’re just saying that’s how you were wiping vaseline on his back. We’re not disputing that in any way. All we’re saying is that’s how you were wiping it on his back. The facts and evidence speaks for itself.
On the hearing
It’s kind of strange that when our hearing started there was some informal stuff compared to the other hearings.
The Karo Parisyan thing where he had a failed drug test. They were constantly talking to him about why didn’t he sign the piece of paper saying he had prescription drugs on him when his health and safety is paramount to the commission. Them saying that would make me thing that my health and safety would be paramount to the commission also. That’s why we were here. We’re here to find out if it was a fair fight or not. We go up to do our meeting and Keith Kizer walked up and said we can only discuss certain topics here. We can’t discuss other topics. I thought it was kind of strange. We got to speak a lot of our piece on our side and where we were coming from. I really don’t know how all these things work. I’m a fighter not a litigator. I’m not sure how it works but I’m sure we’ll go forward.
On whether or not he’s doing it for himself or the sport.
I can’t say I’m not doing this for BJ Penn. Yes, I’m doing it for BJ Penn and yes, I’m doing it for the sport. I’ve always been outspoken whether it was steroid or all these other things. It’s tough. I know people who have done steroids. I don’t want to look them in the eye and say bad things about them but that’s my conviction. That’;s how I feel about the sport. I’m not about taking steroids or getting that edge or advantage. That advantage is for me is decided in technique.
On whether or not this will keep out of the octagon.
No, I’m glad I’m not in battle with the UFC. I’m glad it’s just the commission and GSP and his associates. We are looking for a return. We have to defend the lightweight title. It’s overdue. I have to heal up some of my injuries I suffered from the St. Pierre fight.
I’m all good and looking to make a run. We’re moving forward with my same team and will return in late July or early August.
