JENS PULVER IN FOR THE FIGHT OF HIS LIFE

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JENS PULVER IN FOR THE FIGHT OF HIS LIFE
Friday, June 22, 2007 - by Mitch Gobetz - MMAWeekly.com

Jens Pulver will fight in front of millions of viewers, tomorrow night, in The Ultimate Fighter 5 Finale on Spike TV against his rival, BJ Penn. Pulver defeated Penn over five years ago, where he was considered the underdog. Five years later, Pulver is once again considered the underdog even though he holds the majority decision win over Penn.

It’s been a rocky ride for ‘Little Evil’, but Jens is ready to fight on Saturday night. MMAWeekly Radio caught up with Jens about his upcoming fight with BJ. “I’m extremely prepared. I’m very ready. I got no injuries, I’m healthy. I’m in great shape. I’m already down to 155. I’m excited.”

Coming off his stint as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter 5, Jens had proven himself to be a great coach with both of his fighters, Manny Gamburyan and Nate Diaz, in the finals. When asked about how he felt about that, Pulver replied excitedly, “I was extremely pleased. I was very happy for both of them.”

If there is one thing that Jens knows, it’s that he never wants to put on a boring fight. He’s all about making the sport grow and getting the lightweight fighters on the map. “I’m bringing it,” said the former UFC Lightweight Champion. “I’ve got no fear. I’ve got no fear of losing. I’ve got no fear of being knocked out. There is only one way I’ll look like a jackass, and that’s if I don’t bring it. There’s no way it’s going the distance. I’m gonna push too hard.”

Even though there is a well documented feud with BJ, that doesn’t translate into Jens taking him lightly. That would be a very smart move considering that BJ is widely considered one of the most talented fighters to ever grace the sport of mixed martial arts. “I’ve played it in my head over and over. I just don’t want to make any mistakes. I don’t want that guy on top of me. I’ll give credit where credit is due. He’s a great fighter.”

Pulver tried to make his UFC return last September, but his comeback to the title was spoiled by Ultimate Fighter 5 contestant Joe Lauzon. After the fans saw that fight, some of them believed that the 32 year old was done. “I hear about people telling me I’m washed up,” said Pulver. “I can’t wait. I really cannot wait till I get in there and fight. I don’t know what’s gonna happen. I don’t wanna think about it. I just want to get in there. I want it to be exciting. I just don’t wanna make any stupid mistakes. I refuse to be slow. I wanna go out there and cause damage. I wanna push the pace. I want this to be a hard, hard fight.”

With the fight being televised on Spike TV for free, Jens is overly excited to put a show for the fans. “I’ve never had a doubt in the world when they said ‘we want you to fight on TV’. I wasn’t like ‘I’m a pay-per-view fighter’. I’m glad that everyone can witness it. I’m glad everyone can enjoy the show. I care less about myself. I care more about the sport. I care about the fans. It’s a dream come true. I’m so happy and excited.”

There have been a lot of rumors floating around the internet saying that following Jens’ fight on Saturday, he may move down to 145 lbs. and join the WEC featherweight division. Damon and Jeff asked Jens about this potentially interesting move. “It’s a fun, fun possibility. I’m a 145-pounder, you know. I stay where I’m told to stay. When I come into good shape, I don’t have to cut weight. I’ll weight 150, 152 lbs. for this fight. I think the 145 lbs. weight class needs a boost. I don’t look at it like a step down from the UFC. The UFC owns it.” If Jens were to move down to featherweight, it would make sense that he would be on the fast track to a title shot with current powerhouse Urijah Faber. “If they give me the choice, I would like to be 145. I would like to get in there with Faber. It’s a better weight class. I’ve never been the biggest 155-pounder out there.”

After Pulver is done his fight on Saturday, he has every intention of burying the hatchet with BJ. “I’m gonna stick my hand out. I’m gonna high five him and I’m gonna thank him because without this rivalry, this competitive nature, this anger and hatred, I wouldn’t be where I am. I thank him. At the end of the day, I don’t do well hating people. I just don’t do it.”

Another win over BJ Penn would certainly revitalize Pulver’s career. ‘Little Evil’ is definitely having the biggest fight of his career this Saturday night and he couldn’t be more excited. “This is a great moment in my career. I’m at the best time of my life right now.”

[MMA_Fan]

I don't know how this is his best fight of his life but it should be a good one.

Maybe the feud between the two are not bad. Both of them want to bury the hatchet and be friends after the fight, which is very unusual for two fighters who can't stand each other. It just goes to show there are mutual respect between the two.