According to BJ Penn via the MMA Hour. Penn is 1-3-1 since 2010 having fought only twice since 2012, both losses (vs. Rory MacDonald, Frank Edgar). His most recent loss to Edgar, the third against the New Jersey native in as many fights, was the worst performance of Penn's career (and his featherweight debut). The 37-year old seems bored with retirement and wants to compete in the UFC's featherweight division. He claims his walking around weight is 158-lbs. and will drop lower once he is in camp. Penn has called out Nik Lentz for a fight in March but Lentz suggested that date was too early since Penn hasn't been in training. Penn is still looking to fight Lentz but the UFC might have other plans for him--supposing they greenlight his return to the Octagon. Despite his desire to return as a featherweight he expressed willingness to fight Lentz at 155-lbs. if the fight is booked. The most interesting development is that Penn says he will be training with Greg Jackson in Albuquerque. Jackson is the former head coach for Georges St-Pierre who famously feuded with Penn in the 00's. Jackson is well regarded in the fight game and has guided the recent resurgence of veteran Andre Arlovski. Penn was widely criticized in his last fight for attempting an upright, narrow boxing stance that was plainly ineffective. Penn has shown little interest in being coached in the past. This originally stems from his decision to leave Ralph Gracie and begin training with Andre Pederneiras in an effort to accelerate his promotion to black belt in BJJ. His preparation for MMA bouts has been underwhelming with Penn preferring to train with friends and hangers-on in Hawaii leading to inconsistency in his performance. Whether Penn is willing to listen to Jackson or is just trying to appease his critics by training with him is yet to be seen.
I like Penn, but this should be more of a swan song couple of fights. Give him some younger kids trying to make a name for themselves. All the top 5 fws would kill him
There was another exchange between Penn and Lentz. Lentz doesn't seem into fighting Penn at this point. The UFC is looking at other options. Not sure where Lentz goes from here.
On one hand, I'd love to see a motivated BJ Penn back in the cage, being a dominant force like he once was But on the OTHER hand, BJ is a lazy bitch who will never fully realise his potential so I doubt he comes back like a man possessed... well maybe for the first fight but then all bets are off.
