UFC Hall of Famer BJ Penn was in full support of Nate Diaz for his boxing match against Jake Paul.
Diaz and Paul shared the ring inside the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas earlier this month. The Stockton native survived a fifth-round knockdown and continued pressing forward. His usual in-fight antics drew a positive response from the crowd as expected. Ultimately, it was Paul’s more effective punches that earned him the unanimous decision victory.
Jake Paul defeats Nate Diaz after 10 rounds.
— No Jumper (@nojumper) August 6, 2023
BJ Penn Talks Nate Diaz’s Efforts Against Jake Paul
BJ Penn recently appeared on the “JAXXON PODCAST” to speak with Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Bear Degidio. When Jackson asked Penn what he thought of the Diaz vs. Paul fight, the MMA legend said he was impressed by how the Stockton native handled a bigger opponent.
“I liked it, I enjoyed the fight,” Penn said. “I guess just because I was cheering for Nate the whole time I really didn’t pay as much attention as to what Jake was doing. Talking to other people, ’cause at first I was was like ─ you know what, towards the end I kind of was like, ‘Sh*t, maybe Jake is ahead, I don’t know.’ Nate never lost anything. He did a great job. He stayed right in there, he’s a smaller man and he can fight with the big boys now.”
Who Are Penn’s Favorite Fighters?
Degidio would eventually ask Penn who his top three favorite MMA fighters of all time are. The former UFC Lightweight and Welterweight Champion named more than three fighters, starting with a heavyweight bruiser.
“One guy who I really got a lot of respect for, and he’s been there for so long that he was the champion when I was a champion, he still knocks out two or three guys a year is Andrei Arlovski,” Penn said.
Next on the list is someone who was a fan favorite during his prime and he’s still showered with love when he attends events as a spectator.
“Chuck Liddell made the UFC,” Penn said. “He was there, he knocked out all the guys.”
Penn also heaped praise on “Rampage” as one of his favorite fighters, but Jackson downplayed deserving that distinction. Penn also mentioned Robbie Lawler and Anderson Silva.
