(photo by Getty Images via UFC.com)
Former UFC champion B.J. Penn (16-7-2) will not fight on the upcoming July UFC 132 event and will take his next fight at a later date.
MMAjunkie.com reported the news Thursday evening, saying “The Prodigy” preferred to reschedule the bout, while Dave Meltzer (subscription only) says the reason for Penn’s withdrawal is due to an undisclosed injury that the Hawaiian is having checked with an MRI later this week.
Penn had been scheduled to rematch Jon Fitch (23-3-1) in a #1 contender bout, but Fitch was forced out after a shoulder injury. The rematch was booked after both men fought to a majority draw in Australia as part of the main event for UFC 127.
Carlos Condit had been lobbying to replace Fitch at the upcoming UFC 132 event, but will have to find a new opponent now that Penn has withdrawn from the July show.
UFC 132: Cruz vs. Faber II is set to take place on July 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.