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[Dan0]

UFC lightweight champion B.J. Penn will have to wait just a little longer to face Georges St. Pierre, the man he’s set in his sights since conquering the 155-pound division. But it won’t be too long; manager J.D. Penn tells MMAWeekly.com that UFC president Dana White has named Jan. 31 as D-Day for B.J.’s next incursion into the 170-pound division. Penn and company had originally anticipated a showdown with St. Pierre at UFC 92 on Dec. 27 in Las Vegas.

“He’s staying strong and focused,” J.D. says. “Jan. 31 gives him an extra month to train.”

In a recent interview with MMAWeekly.com, B.J. said he’s pulling out all the stops in preparation for the fight. It’s not just an issue of avenging a loss – he dropped a split decision to St. Pierre at UFC 58 in his second go-around as a UFC welterweight – but advancing the sport to a higher level.

“St. Pierre, he’s got his Canadian fans, his American fans, his fans all over the world,” B.J. said. “I could see in one night that fight jumping the sport of mixed martial arts leaps and bounds. It could be maybe the Joe Frazier/Muhammad Ali type fight that the sport is looking for right now.”

The UFC’s Super Bowl weekend cards have taken on increased importance since the sport’s meteoric rise in visibility. With Penn and St. Pierre coming off extremely impressive performances at UFC 84 and UFC 87, respectively, the event has the potential to splash black ink across Zuffa’s first quarter balance sheet for 2009.

UFC president Dana White recently told Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports that the company was having a retreat this week to figure out the marquee fights for the four yet to be announced cards, starting with UFC 91 on Nov. 15 in Portland, Ore.

As of yet, no other fights have been rumored or confirmed for the Jan. 31 card in Las Vegas.

- BJ PENN WILLING TO WAIT FOR GSP SUPER FIGHT - MMA WEEKLY - Mixed Martial Arts & UFC News, Photos, Rankings & more

A "retreat"??? Wonder if they'll leave the property like the TUF guys leave the house.

[thebwit]

Well Duh he is willing to wait. I am just glad this fight got announced. Now to pray that they both stay injury free till then.

[Oats420]

Yeah I don't care when it is, just as long as it happens.

[Severn]

If he loses this fight, after all this talk he'll have the biggest fucking egg on his face. For his sake I hope he wins it because if he doesn't it won't be pretty.

[King Fisher]

I think Penn is right when he says this fight is going to be huge. I don't much care for Penn, but I cannot wait for this fight. Both fighters are going to train like crazy and it WILL be a showdown of 2 of the sports finest athletes at the top of their game.

I can't wait for this fight ahhhh!

WAR GSP!

[KnowledgeKnown]

Originally Posted by Severn

If he loses this fight, after all this talk he'll have the biggest fucking egg on his face. For his sake I hope he wins it because if he doesn't it won't be pretty.

I don't agree with this. I understand the statement, but I feel that losing to anther top tier fighter never results in having egg on your face. It's not like he'd be losing to Matt Serra... oops. Just kidding.

But really, I don't think this will diminish either of their legacy unless one of them gets totally outclassed.

[gogoplata]

I wonder how BJ is going to deal with those really fast strikes and crazy hips. Either way BJ by split decision and golden gameplan.

[jlruthven84]

Both fighters have evolved so much since their first encounter, this fight is going to be crazy. I'll take Penn by KO or UD.

[BigBanda]

Originally Posted by jlruthven84

Both fighters have evolved so much since their first encounter, this fight is going to be crazy. I'll take Penn by KO or UD.

I agree with the both fighters have evolved statement but I"m not set on deciding the victor in this match up just yet. I wonder if GSP will even try to stand very long. I think he will feel it out at first and if he is not getting the upperhand he will go for the takedown. Wont be that easy for GSP though because Penn is both good standing and on the ground.

[Krellek]

this fight is going to be so close. i think Penns standup is slightly better, although GSP has been impressive with his strikes lately, and penn obviously has the weaker wrestling, with the jujitsu edge imo going to penn. there are so many questions in this fight to be answered. they both can truly do it all,i say GSP will win by sub, ko, or tko, OR Penn will win by sub, tko, or DEC... and i'll put money on it!