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Video: WEC 47 Fighters Pay Tribute to Jens Pulver


(Props: FightersOnlyMagazine)

At WEC 47‘s post-event press conference, MMA legend Jens Pulver discussed the pride he feels in watching the lighter weight-divisions develop into popular, exciting products — even if the level of competition in those divisions has officially passed him by. "I’m just a proud old man," Pulver said. "I’m a proud poppa, I guess, I’m the godfather of this stuff, and it’s a good place and a good way to go." The younger fighters in attendance took some time to talk about what Jens meant to them as featherweights and bantamweights following the trail that Lil’ Evil blazed…

Scott Jorgensen: "Jens is one of the guys that kind of got me interested in MMA as an actual sport that I could compete in…The guy’s the greatest guy ever. He’s sincere, he’s from the heart, what he says he means. I don’t have a bad word to say about him, he’s the best, man. I wouldn’t be where I’m at today without people like Jens."


Dominick Cruz: "One of my favorite fights of all time was him vs. Gomi. And if anybody hasn’t seen that fight, you need to watch it…One of the sickest fights ever…I got all the respect in the world for guys like Jens and anybody who I watched when I was younger. Without them leading the way I wouldn’t even be here, and anything they have to tell me I’ll always listen to them."

LC Davis: "I had the pleasure of training with Jens for a couple years in Bettendorf…I learned so much for him, he’s really paved the way for the light guys. It really hurts me to see him not get the victories and doing things I know he’s capable of doing. But I’m just really thankful to be able to come across him and train with him and be with him."

"I can’t even begin to explain the road that I’m sitting on," Pulver said afterwards, clearly touched by the tribute. "It’s kind of the bittersweet…I love this sport, and it’s tough, man. It’s hard to go out like this."

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Zee German- March 8, 2010 at 9:56 am

I have nothing but respect for Jens. He is someone I look up to. Even though I’m 6’2″.
I wish him all the best. Good memories. And though he might be done as a top tier fighter he is not done being a top tier human being.

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agentsmith- March 8, 2010 at 9:27 am

Sucks to see him go out on a bunch of losses like this. The way he rolled over with his face in the matt after that armbar really bummed me out. Happy trails, Lil Evil.

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kellyman- March 8, 2010 at 8:23 am

Win or lose, Jens will always be one of my favourites. In a perfect world, I would love to see him keep fighting for the next six to ten years, and have his own gym where he can train 24-7 and be training young fighters. I’m holding out hope that Pulver’s going to rise from the ashes one of these days like a modern Jim Braddock.

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Lysol- March 8, 2010 at 7:44 am

I don’t mean to be so cynical, but hasn’t Pulver been promising to retire since his second loss to Faber? I just hope he sticks with it this time.

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Viva Hate- March 8, 2010 at 6:49 am

Best of luck to Jens, it sucked watching him lose that fight, hopefully they find a spot for him, he really deserves it. I agree he would make a great commentator.

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hjdevnull- March 8, 2010 at 6:19 am

Watching Saturday night, I was with a friend who really likes MMA, but doesn’t know a lot of the history of it. It was really hard to explain to him just why Jens Pulver was such a big deal, and why I was upset when he lost. It’s so much more than him just being an exciting fighter.

I hope the WEC gets him back in there commentating for the fights. MMA needs as much Jens Pulver as it can get.

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