NEW YORK CITY – So it turns out there was something to those rumblings
of Gilbert Melendez vs. B.J. Penn for the Strikeforce lightweight title, after all.
Following today’s pre-UFC on FOX 3 press conference in New York City,
White revealed he tried to put the fight together but was rebuffed by
Penn, ultimately leading to Melendez vs. Josh Thomson III on May 19.
White said Penn simply wasn’t up for a fight at that time, though things
have since changed. The UFC boss also said Penn could be back sooner rather
than later, and it will be at 170 pounds.