BJ Penn at the UFC 137 weigh-ins – Photo via Facebook.com/UFC
On Monday, rising welterweight Rory MacDonald issued a respectful challenge to two division UFC champion BJ Penn (16-8-2) during an interview on The MMA Hour with reporter Ariel Helwani.
Late Tuesday night, ‘The Prodigy’ replied through his website bjpenn.com, “Rory, I accept your challenge!”
UFC officials will have to draft the paperwork for the bout but are certainly salivating at the prospects of pitting the two fighters against one another.
The post on Penn’s website notes that if the two meet in Toronto, the bout would have to take place on Sept. 22, 2012 at UFC 152, which has not been officially scheduled for the Province of Ontario.
Penn has been in state of self retirement following a disappointing decision loss to Nick Diaz last October at UFC 137. ‘The Prodigy’ has stated that he is “warming up to the idea” of returning to the Octagon.
Penn was also called out by former welterweight contender Josh Koscheck on Twitter (@joshkoscheck), to which Penn replied (@bjpenndotcom):
@joshkoscheck I know it costs a lot of money to live that lavish lifestyle, big house, fast cars & you need big fights but sorry I’m not coming back anytime soon!
Penn’s previous match was a majority draw at UFC 127 versus Jon Fitch.
MacDonald meanwhile, has won three straight earning a second round TKO finish of English fighter Che Mills at UFC 145 last April.