B.J. Penn tackles new role with UFC gym
BJ Penn signed an autograph for a fan at the UFC Gym BJ Penn showroom on Wednesday, Nov. 16. Penn made an appearance to promote the 37,000 square foot workout facility, which is scheduled to open in April 2012. (Star-Advertiser photo by Cindy Ellen Russell)
BY STEVEN MARK / smark@staradvertiser.com
Hawaii’s mixed martial arts hero B.J. Penn greeted fans Wednesday as his new business venture, a fitness center called UFC Gym, held an open house at its Kakaako showroom on Ala Moana Boulevard.
“If you want to see me, come down to UFC Gym,” said Penn, when asked if fans might be seeing him in the ring soon. “I’m going to be taking some time off, so definitely I’m glad that I’ll have the UFC Gym to keep me busy.”
After his latest fight Oct. 29, a loss to Nick Diaz, Penn suggested he would retire from fighting, but today he left open the possibility of a comeback.
“When it comes to fighting, that’s the only thing that can be on your mind,” said Penn, whose storied career includes two UFC titles, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu championship and a reputation for taking on the toughest fighters regardless of weight differential.
“If I ever feel like that’s the only thing on my mind, that nothing else matters, then I’ll be back.”
In the meantime, Penn is lending his name as a “signature” partner in UFC Gym, a facility scheduled to open in April in the former Pipeline Cafe site on Pohukaina Street. The company is linked to the Ultimate Fighting Championship mixed martial arts competitions, but says the initials stand for Ultimate Fitness Center when referring to its gyms.
Penn said he will be working out and coaching at the gym. “You will most definitely see me in here teaching,” he said, adding that he is especially interested in self-defense methods for women and children.
Fans were eager to greet Penn, get autographs and pose for pictures, his friendly demeanor delighting them.
“I was real nervous,” said Keola Kaonohi, who said he’s watched all of Penn’s fights. “He had to come up to me. Trying to talk with him was nerve-wracking but he’s a cool guy.”
Lawrence Ranches brought his 10-month-old daughter Lizel to the event, said he has been doing mixed martial arts informally for three years and that he wanted to “check out” what Penn’s gym had to offer. He said he wants to try to fight professionally some day. “Been scrapping growing up, so might as well get paid for it,” he said.
To learn more about UFC Gym membership, visit www.ufcgym.com.
