Is Jens Pulver Washed Up?

da@LARGE · #1 (**permalink**) 06-02-2007, 12:48 PM

Now I'm pretty biased here, as Pulver is one of my favorite fighters, but people seem to believe he'll be no match for BJ Penn.

No doubt Jens is the underdog, but he's 7-3 in his last 10 fights, he's only 32 years old and he's remained really active in the last few years..

Sure he had the disapointing comeback against Lauzon but we've all seen since what a beast Lauzon is. And just think of the amount of 1st round KOs that have happened since then - great fighters against less-established opponents.

Anyway, I know there's a ton of BJ fans on this forum, so I'm anxious to hear what the rest of you think.

Mac · #2 (**permalink**) 06-02-2007, 01:25 PM

I don't think Jens can beat B.J. but I think we will see a much better Jens in this fight than the Lauzon fight. Jens does seem to fight up to his competition, meaning he will train harder for Penn than he would a Lauzon. I think he would probably like to fight Lauzon again, cause I don't believe he took that fight seriously at all. He could upset Penn as stranger things have happened, especially this year, but I don't see it happening.

Legend · #3 (**permalink**) 06-02-2007, 01:27 PM

Pulver is not washed up and anyone who is convinced of that is way to quick to wright a fighter off. If BJ comes in shape with good cardio then my money is on him but no matter what Pulver still has a future in this sport.

unrealism · #4 (**permalink**) 06-02-2007, 01:44 PM

my money is on pulver, probably by TKO

Afro · #5 (**permalink**) 06-02-2007, 01:50 PM

No offense to Pulver but how can he be washed up? he hasnt fallen off or elevated, he never had an iron chin or great skills, he was a knockout striker with solid wrestling but lets not forget that Penn took him down before Penn started training hard in wrestling, and didnt even use his judo to take Pulver down.. so Pulver has always been somewhat one-dimensional, and never had the chin to stay on the feet long with guys like Lauzon who has sick skills on the feet.

leedogg900 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-02-2007, 04:44 PM

i think pulver is indeed washed up. look at his fight with bj penn, then look at his fight with joe lauzon. and i dont mean technically look at it. look the difference in his physical build. when he fought penn he was ripped, he looked alot stronger physically and in way better shape. fastforward to his fight with lauzon, he looks alot smaller and weaker, not 1/2 as ripped as he was. am i the only one who notices this? it seems like he went thru an "evan tanner like transformation" physically. not as extreme as tanner but to me he doesnt look at all the same physically as he did in his prime.

sandywh · #7 (**permalink**) 06-03-2007, 01:48 AM

Jens was the underdog the first time around. He'll be an underdog this time against BJ. Pulver cannot be "washed up" when he still has KO power the either hand. He always one punch away....

da@LARGE · #8 (**permalink**) 06-03-2007, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leedogg900

when he fought penn he was ripped, he looked alot stronger physically and in way better shape. fastforward to his fight with lauzon, he looks alot smaller and weaker, not 1/2 as ripped as he was. am i the only one who notices this?

Yeah I noticed that too, there's a helluva difference.

I'd like to hear how his training's changed over the last few years. When he started it's true that a wreslter with KO power could dominate.

But lately I'm not sure how he gameplans - he loves scoring quick knock outs but if that doesn't happen, I'm not sure what his next step is.

BUt besides all that, he's such a cool guy. Has anyone watching this season's TUF become a new Pulver fan?

mjeffers365 · #9 (**permalink**) 06-03-2007, 04:03 AM

Truthfully I think Penn/Pulver is going to be a very fiercely fought contest. I see BJ Penn coming out ahead and really the pressure is on him if he loses to Pulver he is a 28yo with 3 straight losses and that would not be good for him. I think that Pulver would actually prosper a tad more if the UFC were to adopt a 145lb division. But washed up no Pulver is not.past his best no doubt. That being said lots of people can do well past their if their best is what Pulver was at his best which was best in the world.

Destral · #10 (**permalink**) 06-03-2007, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leedogg900

i think pulver is indeed washed up. look at his fight with bj penn, then look at his fight with joe lauzon. and i dont mean technically look at it. look the difference in his physical build. when he fought penn he was ripped, he looked alot stronger physically and in way better shape. fastforward to his fight with lauzon, he looks alot smaller and weaker, not 1/2 as ripped as he was. am i the only one who notices this? it seems like he went thru an "evan tanner like transformation" physically. not as extreme as tanner but to me he doesnt look at all the same physically as he did in his prime.

By that logic, BJ is just as washed up. Yes he went up to WW, but he hasn't looked nearly as in shape as his early LW days. If he didn't gas so easily, the outcomes against Matt Hughes and GSP might be very different.