'UFC Primetime' Episode 1 Recap
(Hilo dogs are broke-ass.)
We open with the hair-raising voice of punk-legend/TV host Henry Rollins:
So begins the first episode of UFC Primetime, the "St Pierre vs. Penn 2" promotional mini-series that reportedly cost $1.7 million to produce, with each episode being completed just hours before it airs. The effort was worth it — if you tuned in last night, you saw a tightly paced, slickly edited documentary feature that rivaled anything HBO has done with their 24/7 boxing-hype series. Here were the highlights:
— Georges St. Pierre is immediately set up as the stoic hard-scrabbler in contrast to BJ Penn's spoiled playboy persona. Already waking up on Las Vegas time and working out like a maniac at Montreal's Tristar Gym and Grant Boxing Gym, GSP offers this summary of Man's condition: "I don't believe there is pleasure in life. I believe there is only a relief of pain."
— BJ Penn's training setting would seem like a vacation for any other fighter. He runs through sunny Hilo with his training partners, greeting everyone he passes like a local politician. And in fact, Penn's bro-manager JD describes the setup of his training camp at the all-in-one Penn Training and Fitness Center in political terms: Penn is the president, his coaches are his cabinet, and JD is the chief of staff.
— On GSP, Penn says: "Is GSP a great fighter? Yeah he's a great fighter, but he's a quitter, he's a front runner, he's that bully guy that's big and strong, but once you push through, once you get through all of that — and it aint easy — but once you get through it, he's gonna fold, and he's gonna quit." St. Pierre responds later: "BJ thinks I'm a quitter? I'm not the one who come from a wealthy family. I come from a poor environment. I'm the one who worked three jobs at the same time in the past. I'm the one who didn't have money. I'm the one who has struggled to be where I'm at right now." St. Pierre had nothing handed to him in his life. He had to quit school in order to work long days as a garbageman in order to make ends meet. So, the "quitter" label bothers him.
— Dana White makes his first appearance to talk about Penn's enormous talent, which he previously squandered on a party lifestyle. "It's hard to stay motivated when you already have plenty of money," he says. Penn admits that before he re-committed himself to MMA, he never trained more than an hour per day; now it's five hours per day. Though the Penn family was wealthy, they at least lived near a bad neighborhood, with plenty of rough characters looking for fights. Even in his youth, BJ never backed down from anyone.
— There's this slo-mo club scene where GSP struts through some Montreal hot-spot, soundtracked by French rap music. He says he doesn't take drugs or drink alcohol, but he likes to go out at night to get his mind off training.
— What does BJ do to get his mind off training? Leave the camp for five straight days to unwind in Kona. He says that he felt his body slowing down, so he needed to take it easy for a while so he could "peak" on the 31st. Word gets back to Dana White, who's not happy. DW calls BJ's cell phone a couple times; BJ chooses not to answer. DW calls JD to make sure BJ is not vacationing three weeks before the fight. JD denies it. DW knows JD is lying. DW knows everything about everyone, at all times.
Awesome first episode, from top to bottom. Very little time was wasted on St. Pierre and Penn's careers as a whole; everything related to their controversial first fight in March 2006 and their upcoming rematch at UFC 94. The production quality and use of music was superb, and a good amount of suspense was left for the next episode, as we're left wondering if Dana White's fury could convince Penn to cut short his five-day layoff.
What did you think?
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Comments
Anonymous Says:
Thought the show was similar to the countdown ones. BJ's comments border on outrageous, but are mostly stupid. LMAO at him thinking he can go 5 rounds.
Big Mar Says:
Two of the worlds greatest fighters, and two of the most annoying accents in the world
penn by rear naked Says:
Primetime was good and i'll definitely watch more, but 24/7 is a lot better.
HammerTime Says:
I think BJ is talking all that bc to cover up his anxiety. If he has to go more than 3 rounds with GSP, he's done.
HammerTime Says:
It was a well made show.
Andrew Says:
This show confirms that GSP is total class and a super human fighting machine. He balances everything perfect in his life and shows where hard work lands you + a little luck. GSP has clearly for some time and always will be the hardest working fighter in the game. Based on their attitudes and desire to win, GSP should destory Penn the way he destroyed Serra. Not saying its a forgone conclusion GSP wins, but but Silva had better be ready because he seems to be non chalently training and fighting in the ring like Penn has been. Talking only goes so far.
Gogoplata Says:
I don't know. I just can't get past the white french guy acting like 50 Cent. Maybe it's just me...
Kris Says:
To Gogoplata:
Have you ever been to Montreal? It's not just GSP who acts like a white 50 cent. Go to a bar there and see all the French White Gangstas haha.
Good episode, I liked it. However I think they are really pushing the whole BJ Penn doesn't train hard and GSP trains very hard thing. This way if BJ wins they can say "He's sooo talented he doesn't need to train" and if GSP wins "He's a workhorse, he's the Michael Jordan of MMA"..
Looking forward to the next episode and watching GSP beat the snot out of "Go visit BJPENN DOT COM"
GoGoGadgetplata Says:
That hurdle jumping sequence was sick, GSP is intense. If this MMA thing doesn't work out, he can always get into Art Davie's next sport "X-LeapFrog".
The Doug Says:
One guy from Hawaii gets elected president and the next thing you know, even BJ Penn thinks he needs a cabinet and a chief of staff.
mayhem420 Says:
Before this I was leaning towards Penn winning the fight. Now after seeing this...
I am going with GSP. Its always seems to be the same thing with BJ...
All the talent in the world but no drive or willingness to get better.
I have a feeling that this fight is going to go much like the first. Except with out GSP taking a beating again in the 1st round.
lilpo0ts Says:
lol @ andrew..
bj penn dominated in his career as a fighter, he's fought everyone, never ducked away from anyone. inside his weight class and outside. never trained hard a day in his life, natural talent got him there. but of course it can only get you so far. now hes training like he should be. gsp beat serra, so did penn. gsp beat matt hughes so did penn. gsp lost to hughes..so did penn. they are pretty evenly matched other than the fact the bj's bjj and boxing are alot better than gsp's. and gsp tenacity is off the meter.
tko middle of the second bj is the new welterweight champ
"he went to my corner, thats how discombobulated he was.." lawl
anyone remember how shitty gsp acted towards hughes after he beat penn i think it was..
"im a not impressed by your performance" deal..total class.
Eveboy420 Says:
LMAO X-Leapfrog!! I gotta agree Penn is trying to sound so hard "I'm gonna kill him!!" OK BABY J, As for him calling GSP a quitter I'm pretty sure he with stood a poke right in the eye and a fair beating shortly after while trying to clear his head of said eye poke, Then thoroughly dominated Penn from then on. I mean wouldn't it have been easier for GSP to have just quit right after?hmmmm.
Eric Roberts Says:
You know, BJ's one of my fave fighters...but is it me or is he sooort of a douche?
Keep in mind, I'm Eric Roberts. So me calling someone a douche really means something.
Kansas Says:
That's hilarious. I agree!
What an eye-opening show that was. I've been a huge BJ fan for years, but after watching this, GSP all the way. It's good to see the real GSP, the GSP who isn't all smiles and is as serious and as hard core as the most ascetic boxer.
And BJ, wow. I wonder if his Kona trip is gamesmanship or what. To take a VACATION 2 weeks before your fight sounds like madness. I mean, I understand tapering and being at your peak, but wow, 5 whole days? That's going to screw with his cardio for sure.
NeW jErSeY-nEw JeRsEy Says:
I had BJ picked to win, until I saw this.
BJ taking days off, no good. BJ's camp pretty much caters to him...do you really think they push him? It's like, he's the boss there...the Vinny Chase, so to speak, with everyone kissing his ass.
Meanwhile GSP is going to 5 different gyms and training every single day.
Size is a factor, training is a factor, and heart will be too. I see GSP beating BJ by the 3rd or 4th by stoppage. BJ won't be able to keep up with him.
Patrick Says:
Good show, but the audio didn't sync perfectly with the video, at least on my TV.
It felt like I was watching a bad Japanese dub or something.
shitwhistle Says:
"DW calls JD to make sure BJ is not vacationing three weeks before the fight. JD denies it. DW knows JD is lying. DW knows everything about everyone, at all times...."
WTF BF & BG? LMAO... ROFL.... I can't keep up with all the acronyms.
That being said, IMO GSP will RNC BJ in R3.
KIT Bitches
Jugger Says:
I was going to go with Penn on this one. Then I saw how they craftily edited this show to make it appear that Penn is milling around doing nothing while GSP is working hard. So now, I've decided to still go with Penn.
Fenix Says:
Same here, Patrick. Frustrating as hell! It also sucks since there are commercials. The show is AWESOME though, cant wait till next week.
DANNA Says:
I have only one thing to say : Poor BJ .... its gonna suck for you.
weezite Says:
Did anyone else find Dana's presence unnecessary?
Seriously, it felt as though that the Dana bits didn’t need to be there. I was so into Primetime for the first 20 minutes or so, but the drama that they inserted into the end was unnecessary. Sure, Dana should be concerned that both of these fighters are in peak shape for this fight as it is huge for the UFC, but BJ’s vacation shouldn’t be a major plot point of the show.
I don’t think this fight needs any “zomg, BJ is on vacation” drama to be successful. Showing their personalities and training methods was interesting enough. The fact that it seems that BJ’s vacation would be a major plot point for next episode is even more off-putting. I mean, this is obviously manufactured by the UFC as well. BJ knew that camera crews were going to be around and Dana would HAVE to know if they changed locations for BJ’s vacation, so the fact that he’s acting surprised is lame.
What I’m trying to say is that this fight doesn’t need any manufactured hype. Both of these fighter’s personalities and training is what’s going to sell the fight. Showing how bad bother of these fighters want this fight is what’s going to sell the fight. The first 20 minutes did a masterful job at this, but the last 10 kind of dropped the ball.
Old, Bald and Irish Says:
Do NOT believe the hype.
Everyone knows that they structure these reality-type shows to present entertainment and not the truth. They manufacture conflict, story, tension and drama.
BJ's taking a vacation 2 weeks before the biggest fight of his career: Do you seriously think that BJ would do this, let alone allow himself to be filmed doing this? Penn is a serious fighter at the top of the heap. This smells like reality show BS to me. This is either faked, BJ is hurt, or this may be something BJ does before every fight.
All this and the fact that Dana's bald head is prominently included smells like shenanigans to me.
I'm not buying it. I bet the bookies aren't either.
BuckWild Says:
GSP all the way !
Hard worker and as mean as nails..
Old, Bald and Irish Says:
By the way, it was sweet watching the Penn/GSP fights on "UFC Unleashed".
That got me pumped!
Old, Bald and Irish Says:
@ BuckWild
Sure, GSP is a hard worker. No doubt.
But that seriously opens him up to the chances of burnout. He's been fighting a lot, got his black belt in BJJ, doing tons of promo work.
I just hope he's taking the time to get his head straight. He's got the physical part down, and I think Penn will too, but in the end it will be the mental game that will decide the winner. I'm expecting this to be a VERY technical fight.
Firecrap Says:
Does anyone know where i can watch this? I don't get spike on my sat and have been checking all the sites i usualy hit all day.
VEe Says:
24/7 is WAAAAAAAAY better than PrimeTime.
- 24/7 was an hour long
- 24/7 did not have any commercial interruption.
Bitter rivals
Serra - Hughes
Silva - Jackson
Ortiz - Liddell
Penn - St. Pierre - NO.
B.J. Penn obviously likes to talk up a fight and has no problem talking sh*t. Are you going to take everything he said literally and seriously?? Penn totally respects Sherk, Pulver and Hughes. They're not best buddies but they're cordial and professional. As soon as the St. Pierre - Fitch fight Penn went in the ring and started talking.
---------------------
Didn't the Dana White phone call seem like an obvious set up??
Jugger says, I was going to go with Penn on this one. Then I saw how they craftily edited this show to make it appear that Penn is milling around doing nothing while GSP is working hard. So now, I've decided to still go with Penn.
No doubt.
Creamy CA Roll Says:
BJ had it right when he called GSP a quitter. And it says it right in the article:
"He had to quit school in order to work long days as a garbageman in order to make ends meet"
I want GSP to win just cause my selfish ass wants to see him take on Anderson Silva by years end, but I'm still leaning towards BJ due to his heavy hands
UFCinCalgary Says:
I think BJ should go down the street, and give the owner of that dog $2, to get that freaking ear chewed of his head.
Seriously, did that thing get infected, have babies, and then they got infected? It has doubled in size, and can now be measured in 3D units.
I would rather look at the haggered dog, than see ONE MORE CLOSE UP OF THAT FUCKING THING! Good thing Spike does not have an HD channel...YUK
BdawgKildYa Says:
Best spotlight show I have seen. Great smack talk by BJ. Getting me even more hyped about the big fight, so I guess its doing what it is supposed to.
Perdew Says:
how could bj call georges a quitter??? didn't bj give gsp every chance to quit in their first fight? georges was beat up and bloody, clearly losing the fight in the first round. who won the fight in the last two rounds? GSP. sure it wasn't so decisive and you could certainly argue the decision but GSP certainly did not quit. he kept his head on straight and stuck to his strengths and played his game. he controlled the fight the last two rounds. if thats quitting, then i hope he quits again and puts BJ's soft ass cabbage patch kid face in his place after talking all that shit. which coincidentally wasn't even cool, creative or intimidating.
on john fitch being the terminator...
"he's gonna think i'm god"
that's not cool. the obvious next step would be to say you were going to be a t-1000 or maybe even kyle reese. fuck bj.
Lyquid Says:
Spike does have a Hd Channel. I didn't like the show at all and Dana White shouldn't have been in.
Farthammer Says:
Dana White - "I look to boxing as what not to do."
Sure, except how to promote fights, and how to set up championship matches based on drawing strength and not on who deserves the shot. Other than that, sure.
Anonymouserz Says:
I wanna see BJ call GSP a quitter in his face. Then outta nowhere your gonna see ChuckNorris fly out and pop Penn with his 3rd fist underneath his beard.
*Scene fades to black*
Anonymouserz Says:
forgotmyemail -_-
ihatejardine!!alot Says:
bj is a bitch... GSP should win!! just cuz he is a better person...
black feet Says:
The show did a great job of hyping the fight -- stressing GSP's blue-collar work ethic and BJ's natural smack-talk. Its obvious who the UFC wants to be viewed as the "hero" and the "villain" here, and if anyone thinks BJ is legitimately vacationing during his training period, they are out of their minds. I'm sure the JD/DW phone convo wasn't staged, but it certainly was recorded for a reason.
mackojr Says:
I don't like BJ cockiness he has about him. but damn get off GSP's nuts so he can go back to training.
Canucklechuck Says:
Sure am tired of all the DW hate guys. We all know (or should know) that without Mr. White us hardcores would have very little to talk about, and likely no where to talk about it, but anyway...
@ OBI, I'm a little surprised at your conspiracy post. BJ taking a 5 day break and being filmed doing it, lines up pretty closely with the guy's past behavior doesn't it? I agree with you that it would be pretty crazy to take that many days of when he's 2-3 weeks out from the biggest fight of his career but, IMO that's BJ. I mean, he knows he doesn't have to "make weight" so that pressure is gone. He runs the show over at his camp (as president Penn), so he doesn't have to answer to anyone. It kinda' makes me think differently about his godly smack talking. To me, there are a couple potential reason's for BJ's antics, either 1) he's actually worried about this fight (and gassing in particular) and the anxiety got to him, 2) he's honestly completely overconfident coming in to this thing or 3) he's hurt and isn't telling anyone. I guess only time will tell here, but my gut says that that was just BJ being BJ last night on Primetime.
Loved GSP though. That guy can do no wrong in my eyes (although the "bling" he was sporting at da club - or is it la club - was pretty high on the Wac-meter).
Definitely agree that the Unleashed episodes bookending Primetime were awesome. Man, I can't wait for this fight.
Bootylam! Says:
BJ was looking in the mirror when he was talking all that "quitter" stuff. He totally described himself. And he DID say he was going to go lighter to let his body "peak".[???] Hope it's just gamesmanship.
Senor Tampon Says:
Dude i really dont care about the GSP/ Penn fight..........
Bootylam! Says:
And that dog needs Proactive.
Anonymous Says:
''Gogoplata Says:
Thu, 01/15/2009 - 06:16
I don't know. I just can't get past the white french guy acting like 50 Cent. Maybe it's just me...
reply
Kris Says:
Thu, 01/15/2009 - 06:23
To Gogoplata:
Have you ever been to Montreal? It's not just GSP who acts like a white 50 cent. Go to a bar there and see all the French White Gangstas haha.''
....^^^ losers. How was he acting like 50 cent? Rofl dancing and wearing clothes that were a little baggy? Envy is a bitch man, just like you. I've been to montreal and that place is crazy, the clubs are amazing. And to be honest I never really saw that many french guys who were ''gangstas''. I think you must of went to the gay bars man, that would explain everything. Actually, you probably know where all the ''white 50 cents'' are... All over your fucking stupid american fucking infested country. America is like a big cancer sore pulsing out a spew of puss into the world. Beautiful country, horrible people. What a shame.... PENN will DOMINATE GSP LIKE CANADA WOULD DOMINATE THE STATES IN NUCLEAR WAR.
Piss in my own fruit tray Says:
BJ Penn is going to win this fight....That is all there is to it, this was a good show and all, but I agree with OB&I about what he said about the mental side of it, can GSP hold it together in his head enough to win this, I do not think so. I think the mental game goes to Penn, the conditioning could go either way, but overall talent goes to Penn, He will win this fight.
rollshop Says:
i thought it was cool, though i did flip to "surfs up" occasionally and didn't really notice a difference.
trainer_man Says:
GSP a quitter? Look at their first fight where GSP was beaten down the first round and came back to win the rest. Against Fitch, no quit there. And at the end of the episode it was Penn saying he was tired and needed a break for a few days. A WEEK break just a month before the biggest fight ever, where he is also fighting 15-lbs heavier than previous against arguably the best conditioned fighter ever, I think it's clear who has the quit in them. GSP will win this fight on the pure fact that he is hungrier to stay on top. Penn already has a belt at 155, in the back of his mind he knows he doesn't lose anything in this fight, just a reaffirmation that GSP is extremely solid and that Penn belongs at 155.
VEe Says:
"This is no big thing. I know this thing is getting hyped up a lot, but honestly, it’s just another fight. I know they have the show and all of these other things around it, but I gotta go out and win, so whatever. I know the hype is there and you gotta promote a fight this big, but I’m just ready to win the fight."
- BJ Penn interview on fighthype.com
HulkSmash Says:
Personally, it would not surprise me if BJ is pulling a rope a dope. Let everyone think he is taking time off, wasting time when he reallly is training like a freak. I still believe gsp will win as he is a better fighter but I just don't see BJ talking about his new found drive and determination and then goofing off. It isn't sitting right with me
Thoughts Says:
I swear to god I'm going to pistol whip the next guy that says shenanigans...