Former UFC champion BJ Penn has found an opportunity to come out of retirement.
Welterweight prospect Rory MacDonald (13-1) issued a challenge to Penn (16-8-2) on Monday’s episode of The MMA Hour.
“Right now I feel there’s a guy that I want to fight before he leaves the sport, and that’s B.J. Penn,” MacDonald said to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. “That’s a guy I really want to fight. I respect him a lot. He’s a legend, and I think it’d be a really good matchup for me to have that fight in Toronto.”
A little over 24hrs later Penn responded via BJPenn.com, “Rory, I accept your challenge!”
Nothing has been officially announced by the UFC.
MacDonald is currently on a three fight win streak, with dominating wins over Mike Pyle, Nate Diaz and most recently a TKO victory over Che Mills. The Canadian’s only loss came at the hands of current interim UFC welterweight champion Carlos Condit.
Penn on the other hand has been on a losing skid, going 1-3-1 in his last five fights. After his loss to Nick Diaz at UFC 136, Penn announced his retirement from MMA during his post-fight speech.
However, now it looks like he is ready for a return to the octagon. Canadian fans could be in luck if this match goes down as planned. UFC 152 is scheduled to take place on September 22 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
BJ,don’t do it. Languish in you’re success and cut you’re losses. There is nothing worse then a fighter taking,”One more” after retiring and on the down slope. You were great. The more you lose the more it tarnishes your accomplishments. Just look at Holyfield. Lidell. Shamrock.
BJ Penn IS great. I do agree that it’s a bad idea to take this fight as Rory is in his prime and BJ… well isn’t. However I don’t think it would hurt his accomplishments as what he did when he was on top was outstanding. Sort of like Jordan in his prime. Even though he came back played some ball with some of the youngsters it didn’t do anything to the image of him as he was and still is the greatest. Age happens to us all and there’s nothing we can do about it. The only person age didn’t affect was Bruce Lee and that’s because he died way before hie time. I say go for it. it would be a fight for the fans and BJ. I wouldn’t say it’s a win win but it should be fun. But TRAIN BJ, Train! This kid is outstanding and we would hate to see you go out on your sword like this.