Hilo's BJ Penn has helped set another standard in the sport of mixed martial arts.

This time it was for a press conference.

Around 2,000 fans attended a press conference/public rally featuring world champions Penn and Georges St-Pierre of Canada yesterday at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. It was put on by the Ultimate Fighting Championship organization.

"We just came from another one like this in Toronto, where a lot of people came to support (St-Pierre)," UFC president Dana White said. "But nothing like this (expletive)."

Penn and St-Pierre are scheduled to meet for the UFC welterweight world championship on Jan. 31 in Las Vegas.

Yesterday's event was part of a three-stop promotional tour. The fighters also held press conferences in Las Vegas and Toronto, but the Honolulu stop featured the most fans.

"This is huge for Hawai'i," said Mike Onzuka, a host on the Fighters Club TV mixed martial arts show. "I think the UFC was testing the waters to see how Hawai'i reacts, and to have this many people just for a press conference is a good sign. I think it'll really make them think about coming here for a show."

As expected, a majority of the fans were in favor of Penn.

However, St-Pierre had his share of supporters — many of them female.

Sheila Spillane, 26, was among them. She was the first person in line — at 11 p.m. on Thursday.

Spillane and Kathy Ikehara, 22, said they drove from Mililani to wait overnight for a chance to see St-Pierre in person.

"I love BJ Penn, but I looooove GSP," Spillane said. "I got BJ's autograph before, but I never got a chance to see GSP in person, so I wanted to make sure we got in close."

The bout is still two months away, but John DeFreitas of Panda Travel said fans are already purchasing Las Vegas packages for that weekend — which coincides with the Super Bowl.

"We've already sold a couple hundred, and expect to do more as it gets closer," DeFreitas said. "It's certainly not like the Sugar Bowl, but I would say it compares to any other big UH football away game. There's definitely going to be a lot of Hawai'i fans there."

In truth, the bout will probably draw interest from around the world.

It is being hyped as one of the most important bouts in the history of the prestigious UFC organization.

Penn is the UFC's lightweight (155 pounds) world champion. St-Pierre is the UFC's welterweight (170) world champ.

"Two of the most talented guys ever in mixed martial arts, and in their prime," White said. "In a position that the guy who walks out with his hand raised becomes a huge superstar."

If Penn wins, he would become the first competitor to hold two world title belts at the same time. If St-Pierre wins, he could move up to 185 pounds to fight champion Anderson Silva to try and become the first to hold two titles at the same time.

"If you're a fight fan, this is the kind of super fight you dream of," White said.

The fighters addressed questions from the media and fans last night.

Penn, who displayed a quick jab in his last fight, displayed a quick wit during the question-and-answer session.

When St-Pierre commented that "there is nobody more than me who is more excited for this," Penn quipped "I think I'm a little more excited than him."

One fan asked Penn and St-Pierre who the best pound-for-pound fighter is in the sport right now.

St-Pierre drew applause for his answer: "I do believe the best pound for pound could be BJ Penn. That's why I want to fight him."

Penn's response?

"He's right. BJ Penn is the best pound for pound."

Penn and St-Pierre met before, with St-Pierre receiving a split decision in 2006. But neither was a world champion at that time, so the bout went three rounds. The Jan. 31 fight is scheduled for five 5-minute rounds.

"The thing that makes this fight so exciting is any other guy I would tell you what round and how," Penn said of his prediction. "All I know is I'm going to win. I don't know how I'm going to get the job done."

St-Pierre is just as confident.

"I know I'm going to win," he said. "Of course, my goal is to take him out. No decision. I want to finish him by knockout or submission."