B.J. Penn turns down opportunity to meet Josh Koscheck in the Octagon
Former UFC champion B.J. Penn will remain retired – at least for the time being – despite a request from his former bosses to meet Josh Koscheck inside the Octagon. Koscheck confirmed Wednesday night the UFC had offered him a fight with Penn contingent, of course, on whether or not “The Prodigy” was willing to come back to the cage. However, Penn seems content to stay in Hawaii,... [Read More...]
Josh Koscheck offered bout with B.J. Penn
The answer to whether or not iconic former champion B.J. Penn has changed his mind regarding a return to the Octagon should receive an update in the coming days after “The Prodigy” was apparently offered a bout by the UFC. Penn unexpectedly retired last October after losing a fight to Nick Diaz and deciding he wanted to spend his immediate future with family/friends rather than training like a... [Read More...]
Dana White tried to sign B.J. Penn vs. Gilbert Melendez
UFC President Dana White has said a number of times he doesn’t view former double-division champion B.J. Penn as retired. And, while “The Prodigy” has officially remained on the sidelines, that hasn’t kept White from continuing to push him for a return. Before Gilbert Melendez signed to fight Josh Thomson for the Strikeforce lightweight title it was revealed through Cesar Gracie... [Read More...]
Tito Ortiz, B.J. Penn both set for Hall of Fame induction
With former UFC champions Tito Ortiz and B.J. Penn both coming to the ends of their storied careers it makes sense to start looking forward to their eventual admittance into the organization’s Hall of Fame. In reality, that date will come sooner than later considering Ortiz’s plan to hang his gloves up after a July fight with Forrest Griffin and Penn still stating he’s enjoying his recent retirement. UFC... [Read More...]
Dana White hints at B.J. Penn returning to the ring
It may be far from an official announcement but signs continue to indicate former double-divisional champion B.J. Penn is leaning towards returning to the ring after deciding to hang up his gloves this past October. Though Penn still seemed on the fence when asked about it a week ago after UFC on Fuel 2, the popular Hawaiian also admitted he’d been back in the gym training, and apparently for good... [Read More...]
B.J. Penn remains content with retirement
B.J. Penn, a popular former UFC champion who announced his retirement from fighting last year, was in Sweden over the weekend to help promote the sport relating to yesterday’s UFC on Fuel 2 event. While many felt like Penn’s decision to retire after a loss to Nick Diaz was a spur-of-the-moment decision based on emotion it seems “The Prodigy” is content with his current lifestyle.... [Read More...]
B.J. Penn still happy with decision to retire
Surefire Hall of Fame fighter B.J. Penn shocked many the MMA world when he said he was retiring from the sport following a loss to Nick Diaz last year. Still, as genuine as Peen appeared, countless fans believed it would only be a matter of time before the former UFC champion had a change of heart and signed to compete once again. Now, several months removed from the announcement, “The Prodigy”... [Read More...]
UFC looking to land in Aloha State later this year
In the past UFC President Dana White had expressed his desire to see the UFC make an appearance in Hawaii with former champion (and popular islander) B.J. Penn taking a headlining spot on the card. However, even despite Penn’s continued retirement, it appears White is still planning on taking his fight promotion to Hawaii in the near future. The UFC card would take place inside Aloha Stadium, a venue... [Read More...]
B.J. Penn open to comeback if situation is right
B.J. Penn, a former double-division UFC champion, shocked many in the MMA world when he announced his impending retirement from fighting after a loss to Nick Diaz at UFC 137 last month. Now, after taking some time to think about his career, “The Prodigy” might be having second thoughts. After Penn dropped his UFC lightweight title to Frankie Edgar, he says his own coaches asked him to take some... [Read More...]
A Plea for Penn to Prove Himself Again
Former UFC champion B.J. Penn announced his retirement from the Octagon Saturday night after falling to Nick Diaz in the main event of UFC 137. However, “The Prodigy” has plenty yet to finish before he actually exits the cage for good. Penn, who fought to a draw with Jon Fitch earlier this year, needs to finish off their war after the two called each other out. Penn and Fitch are two of the greatest... [Read More...]
B.J. Penn sees some of himself in Nick Diaz
B.J. Penn had no plans to fight Nick Diaz inside the Octagon anytime soon, if ever. However, after several problems arose in trying to put together Saturday’s UFC 137 card, the two former training partners were paired up and will face off across from each other in just a few short hours. UFC 137 is set for tonight from Las Vegas, Nevada’s Mandalay Bay Events Center with the PPV also featuring Matt... [Read More...]
UFC 137 Countdown breaks down B.J. Penn vs. Nick Diaz
When B.J. Penn painted the canvas crimson with Joe Stevenson’s blood at UFC 80 en route to becoming lightweight champion few could have imagined he’d be headlining an event three years later against a welterweight who hasn’t lost since the title-winning performance (or at least one not named Georges St. Pierre). However, Penn will find himself in that very situation this weekend when he stands... [Read More...]
B.J. Penn focused on winning fights, nothing else
Change of opponents? Check. Last-second bump up to the main event? Check. Ten-month layoff entering said bout? Check. An opponent with a history of talking trash and shirking media obligations? Again, check. While there might be a million things B.J. Penn could be concerned with going into this weekend’s headlining fight against Nick Diaz at UFC 137 there is only one thing on his mind – winning. Penn... [Read More...]
B.J. Penn requested rematch with Jon Fitch before being given Nick Diaz
Former UFC lightweight champ B.J. Penn‘s welterweight quest has been one filled with plenty of highs, but, Penn wants to avenge a sore subject in the form of a February Draw with Jon Fitch. After finding out his original UFC 137 opponent, Carlos Condit, had been called up to fight UFC welterweight title-holder Georges St. Pierre, Penn was hoping he would get his rematch with Fitch. Instead, Penn... [Read More...]
B.J. Penn says Nick Diaz fight was news to him, tried to get different opponent
When the UFC yanked Nick Diaz from the main event from UFC 137, replaced him with Carlos Condit, and then inserted the former Strikeforce welterweight champ into Condit’s place against B.J. Penn, the news caught a number of people off-guard including Penn himself. The popular Hawaiian recently opened up about the situation in a video series through sponsor RVCA where he explained he was far from... [Read More...]
UFC 137 switcharoo complete as Nick Diaz fills vacancy against B.J. Penn
MMA has always been an “anything can happen” sport coated in “never say never”, a fact given credence Thursday night when UFC President Dana White announced Nick Diaz would face B.J. Penn at UFC 137 a day after Diaz was pulled from the main event against Georges St. Pierre based on his failure to follow through on a few media commitments. “This is crazy but here we go again! You wanted it... [Read More...]
Carlos Condit, not Jon Fitch, likely next up for B.J. Penn
It appears top welterweights Jon Fitch and B.J. Penn will have to wait a little longer to settle the score from their Draw this past February after already watching a July rematch fall apart for health-related reasons. However, injuries are not the culprit this time around as it appears dwindling fan interest will dictate the delay in the two talented 170ers throwing down a second time. The surprising... [Read More...]
UPDATE: B.J. Penn drops out of UFC 132 fight, cites shoulder injury
It looks like BJ Penn will extend his vacation through the summer. Originally scheduled to fight Jon Fitch at UFC 132, Penn has officially dropped off the card with an injury that was originally undisclosed. UFC officials were searching for a replacement fight for Penn, and while welterweights Carlos Condit and Anthony Johnson expressed interest in taking on “The Prodigy,” neither fight... [Read More...]
B.J. Penn versus Blank Space
Having to unexpectedly replace injured fighters is as familiar a concept for MMA organizations as hiring attractive ring-girls and crossing your fingers Cecil Peoples hasn’t been assigned to score one of your bigger bouts. Any sport involving a high level of physicality inherently has more risk involved where maintaining its participants’ health is concerned so it goes without saying the occasional... [Read More...]
UPDATE: Jon Fitch injured, out of UFC 132 fight against B.J. Penn
It looks like fans will have to wait to see what would have happened if Jon Fitch vs. BJ Penn went to round four, five, and six. Fitch has been forced to withdrawal from the card after suffering an injury while training for his UFC 132 bout. The extent of the injury is not known but it is severe enough to keep Fitch out of action on July 2, 2011. No word yet on who will replace Fitch or if the bout... [Read More...]
