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[Sakara=Excitement]

Despite previous reports, UFC boss says B.J. Penn looking to fight again | MMAjunkie.com

ATLANTA – Fear not, B.J. Penn fans: "The Prodigy" may return, after all.

UFC president Dana White on Saturday night revealed he and Penn spoke at this past weekend's UFC on FUEL TV 2 event in Sweden, and the future UFC Hall of Famer said he wants another go in the octagon.

"I heard some [expletive] that he said he was going to retire and all this stuff," White said following Saturday's UFC 145 post-event presser in Atlanta. "I talked to him, and he's like, 'I want to fight again.'"

In October, former UFC champion Penn (16-8-2 MMA, 12-7-2 UFC) suffered a one-sided loss to Nick Diaz, prompting "The Prodigy" to call it quits at the conclusion of the fight.

In the time since, many MMA fans and pundits have speculated on Penn's future, wondering aloud if the fiery competitor is truly ready to walk away at just 33 years old. Penn, who was a guest fighter at UFC on FUEL TV 2, told several media outlets he was still retired and remained happy with his decision. However, it appears he was singing a different tune behind closed doors.

White declined to offer further speculation as to when or where Penn may turn up next. He was briefly linked to a May fight with Strikeforce champ Gilbert Melendez, but Josh Thomson ultimately took that booking.

Penn has fought at both 155 and 170 pounds during his illustrious 11-year career, though lightweight seems to be the best fit for him in today's game. However, with Penn's public comments differening from his conversation with White, it's difficult to tell what the future may hold for the Hawaiian.

White refrained from casting any more light on the possibilities, revealing only that Penn is considering another go.

"We're talking," White said.

[rob_bills]

I was actually lucky enough to meet up with Penn in Sweden and i asked him was he gonna fight again and he just said something like "no man i'm just having a good time" or something to that effect. Obviously he aint gonna tell me his actual plans but still it's food for thought.

I'm not really a Penn fan but i'd like to see him fight again

[Firemass]

It'd have to be at 155lbs, Penn is too slow and undersized for a WW comeback.

[FCK]

Originally Posted by Firemass

It'd have to be at 155lbs, Penn is too slow and undersized for a WW comeback.

I agree,

But only to an extent. He hasn't got the cardio or the speed to keep up with younger top guns in the LW division anymore. And he's undersized by considerably larger WW like GSP and Alves. Its not just his size that is a disadvantage to him though, its his reach too. Considering some reports say that he has a 6" reach disadvantage compared to GSP, his best boxing will always be an uphill offensive.

He's in exactly the same position as Hughes, albeit without getting KO'd so many times in the last few years. He's still an awesome fighter, but when GSP came into the WW division, he showed MMA the future, and now BJ just resides in the shadows like Hughes. An extremely well rounded veteran that is just pipped in every martial art disciplined needed in MMA to dull his edge.

[Firemass]

Penn should maybe come back then on a Hughes-like basis...taking fights that are "interesting". Not sure of another title-run left in the tank there.

[Repenter]

he could definitely make another run at the LW title.

[FCK]

Originally Posted by Repenter

he could definitely make another run at the LW title.

Seriously? You could see BJ hacking the pace that Edgar and Henderson set throughout 5 rounds?

Really?

[lwbrewer]

I think special fights suit BJ the best. I don,t think BJ wants to put in the effort for a title run.
The question is who would it be against?