The term “nuthugger” is one that tends to get thrown around the comment sections of the Bleacher Report quite often and I must admit that while some writers don’t care for or appreciate the use of the term, I personally find the word quite amusing.
Recently in fact, I read a pretty darn good definition of the term:
“Someone so in love with a certain fighter that they cannot conceive said fighter ever doing anything wrong, nor ever losing a fight, even against 50 Grizzly Bears at once.” (thanks Pickle)
Why as I would tend to agree with this description as being a fair understanding of why this term was created and used in many MMA circles, I now feel that after watching Diego “the Nightmare” Sanchez take on BJ “the Prodigy” Penn at UFC 107 that this unusual (and derogatory) word has now taken on a whole new meaning.
My newly proposed Wikipedia definition: A nuthugger is a fighter who single-leg clinches himself onto his opponent in repeatedly failed attempts to take his opponent down, all while pressing his supple cheek bones up against a sweaty nut sack.
Did anyone happen to catch the size of that cut across Diego’s forehead at the end of the fight?
Well one can only assume that BJ Penn must keep freshly-sharpened razor blades in his jock strap.
[INSERT MASSIVE ERUPTION OF LAUGHTER]
Okay…okay…quiet down please…
But all kidding aside, after watching last night’s fights, one would certainly have to ask themselves “what on earth was Diego thinking? (or smelling?)”
I’ve always liked Diego despite his oddities and eccentric attempts at intimidation. He is a fierce competitor who always puts on an exciting fight and in my opinion, his skill-set and weapons have been improving with each and every fight.
Therefore, it would have only made sense that the fans would get see a Diego Sanchez that was as complete as he has ever been.
Right?
Apparently not.
Not to take anything away from BJ Penn who displayed a perfectly one-dimensional defensive strategy (counter punching and fence-side takedown defence anyone?) but Diego Sanchez simply fell flat at UFC 107 by limiting himself to a minimum amount of offensive engagements.
I mean, how many takedowns do you attempt in the exact same way before you….gee, I dunno…try something else?!
My disappointment mainly stems from the fact that Diego absolutely failed to deliver. Five rounds into the fight and Diego was still repeating the same failed strike and takedown attempts. Very “un-Diego” like.
Hey Diego – maybe the key to beating BJ Penn was to make a severely constipated-looking scrunchy face before the contest began.
Next time, give that a try. I am convinced that BJ Penn would be so absolutely terrified that he wouldn’t even know how to respond to your one-two punch combinations, left roundhouse kicks or “nuthug” takedowns.
Oh and thanks for turning me into a BJ Penn fan – much appreciated.
Great job! Thanks, Ryan.
This particular UFC 107 fight happened to be one that I missed and I am glad after hearing all the uncomfortable talk about nuthuggers. I hope I never see a display like that ever. If your not going to bring it 100% then dont fight or change your strategy to two attempt take downs tops then try something else please.
James I enjoyed this topic of comment.
I was really surprised by his continued attempt at that single… He had absolutely nothing to offer…
Not sure what coaches are thinking about this failed tactic. Florian and Sanchez both failed miserably at this move.
FLorian and Sanchez did the same thing…Came out tough and got hit and realized how bad BJ Penn is and did not want to strike so tried the same thing until they lost
While watching the fight, I thought of your “intimidation factor” article.
BJ is so superior to Diego that it was just comical watching Diego try to intimidate him. I don't know if anyone noticed, but there were times in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th rounds that Diego looked absolutely scared to death. I could literally see his legs shaking.
The start of the 5th was awesome. Diego looks like a borderline psychopath, standing in his corner jumping up and down with that mean scowl on his face. Then BJ starts slapping himself in the face as if to say, “you don't scare me you weird mother f#^%.”
The guy who is normally the crazy, aggressive one who overwhelms guys and gets the upper hand got tagged and nearly dropped inside of the first 60 seconds. It was over at that point.
For all the hype about Diego Sanchez, he, like everyone else in the lightweight division, is not even close to the level of awesome or crazy that BJ Penn is.
After that first round, Sanchez was in don't get KTFO mode and the gap between the champion and his latest “toughest challenger yet” was Grand Canyon-esque.
lol…no doubt!
The single leg wasnt working, and you were getting routinely out boxed…I dunno, maybe a double leg? Shoot? Kick? Something other than box, and hold Penns' ankle.
It takes more than a mean face to win the belt. Diego will watch the tape, and probably identify exactly what you pointed out, and should get better from it. There is no shame in losing to BJ, and he did so as admirably as one can in a loss.
However, he was made to look a little foolish, and a little one dimensional, when he was unable to turn it into a wrestling match.
I do beleive that the confidence of Diego took a major hit early. Everyone who fights “has” a gameplan. What do you do when using your own gameplan, to race to the center of the ring, just about gets you finished in the first minute. Diego looked pretty desperate at that point, to even stay in the fight. He recovered to some degree physically, but mentally, I think he found out early that Penn is a very dangerous opponent. I wouldnt say underestimated, but more like, overlooked a bit?
I might also add, that talking too much junk before a fight, is a poor idea, when you are facing an elite competitor, like Penn, GSP, Silva, Machida, et al. Personally, I would rather show up with my opponent not sure if I am up, or down, on the subject of a fight with them. The television people, push that to hype it. IMO, Diego overdid it a bit. The egg is dripping off of his shredded face this morning.
He will be back, and I really want to see Sanchez/Florian go again, at this point and time.
Nice work, funny stuff.
Kenny Florian showed everybody that that style DOES NOT work against BJ. Diego could of tried his luck a couple of times, but after a round or two, find a different strategy.
I remember commenting with my friends during this fight after a plethora of failed take downs, acting as if I was BJ, “Oh, you wanna smell my nuts again, ok, here smell em. You can smell em all night long, but you're not getting the take down, bitch!”
i honestly thot Diego was going to give him a much tougher fight than that – i don't think i'm alone in that thinking either – i was completely stunned. it really gave me a new appreciation for BJ – i mean i always respected him as a fighter – altho i find him a tad cocky and arrogant at times – but hey – he's a frigging bad ass and he knows it.
it looks like diego could have used a few more ” YES” cartwheels before the fight – becuz everyone knows the key to beating BJ Penn is to do as many ” YES” cartwheels as you can while training.
BJ is king at 155, I knew Diego had no chance, as does the rest of 155, I'd like to see Frankie Edgar get a shot, but I know it'd be the same outcome.
I'm with you on Penn's attitude, so fricking cocky but he does back it up when it's at 155.
diego s., wow cant believe i was rootin for him. that was the worst performance ever from him, he got beaten up every round. lol almost lost the main event within a minute into it.