Despite all the changes UFC 137 has had to undergo the past week, one would seem to think that BJ Penn would become irritated by the sudden reformation.
First, Penn was scheduled to square off against Carlos Condit in the co-main event, but instead he was lined up against Nick Diaz after Diaz failed to show up and co-promote his main event bout with Georges St-Pierre.
Now, after learning that St-Pierre’s knee injury will keep him the welterweight champ out of the main event, Penn and Diaz have been asked to fill that void.
However, the Hawaiian native feels composed ahead of his bout against Diaz and anticipates an intriguing matchup.
“I think this is an exciting fight for the fans, two good fighters,” Penn told USA Today.
The former UFC lightweight champion hasn’t been as successful at 170 pounds as most fans had hoped. Since 2009, Penn is 1-1-1 with his most recent victory coming against Matt Hughes at UFC 123 last year, which is unimaginable after his dominance at 155 pounds.
But in Diaz, Penn faces an opponent who as arguably as skilled as he is in every aspect. He even went as far as to claim the former Strikeforce welterweight champion was a superior boxer.
“I think with Nick Diaz’s background—he spars with Andre Ward, he was signed to fight Jeff Lacy, he was being considered to fight Roy Jones Jr.—he’s got to be the best boxer in mixed martial arts today,” he said.
Diaz’s behaviour landed him in a position to face Penn, which is a bout that has interested fans much more than Penn’s original matchup with Condit. But if fans are looking forward to a bout surrounding trash talk and emotion, Penn isn’t the fighter who can necessarily deliver that promise.
While Diaz is renowned for his trash-talk and taunting, Penn said he doesn’t feel the need to respond in the same manner. After being involved in mixed martial arts for early a decade, “The Prodigy” says he has changed as a fighter.
“For me, nowadays, all it is is a job,” he said. “I’m sure my fans would want to see me fight certain fighters and beat certain fighters, but as of now, in my head, I’m at peace. Everything is clear for me.”
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com