BJ Penn is set to face Nick Diaz on Saturday night in the main event on the UFC 137 fight card.
Penn has already had two previous shots at Georges St-Pierre for the UFC welterweight title, but lost both times. Now with GSP recuperating from a knee injury, Penn isn’t expecting a title shot if he is able to get past Diaz.
“The funny thing is that title shots – and who gets title shots – are all about timing. If I had beaten Jon Fitch in Sydney in February and not had a draw, I would have gotten a title shot,” said Penn on his blog for Yahoo! Sports. “But now, even if I beat Nick Diaz, I may not get a title shot.
“I realize now it is all about timing, and the timing may not work out for me to get the right title shot unless GSP heals fast and fights Carlos in the next couple of months.”
Penn also talked about his opponent ahead of the fight and had nothing but kind words for the former Strikeforce welterweight champion and former No. 1 contender to GSP’s belt.
“But beating Nick Diaz, title fight or no title fight, is a big deal. He’s a great fighter and dangerous anywhere,” said Penn. “I won’t disrespect him, the fans or myself by not concentrating 100 percent on this fight at UFC 137.”
Penn also talked about GSP pulling out of his title fight with Carlos Condit. Penn and GSP have had their issues in the past with the whole greasing incident, but it seems Penn has gotten past that.
“When it comes to GSP, we have had our problems,” said Penn. “I said what I said about him in the past, but if he felt like he had to pull out of the fight that’s what it is.”
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