Former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion BJ Penn didn’t stay retired for long, accepting a high-profile match up with rising star Rory MacDonald in June.
“The Prodigy” told MMA Weekly his bout with the 23-year-old Canadian is a “dream fight” for him, despite the criticism he received for accepting the challenge.
Everybody was like, “Well, you have nothing to gain, why are you doing this? C’mon, go fight someone else. This is a dream fight for Rory, he can get motivated,” and this and that, but what they’re gonna find out soon is that this is my dream fight, going up there and beating them in Toronto, in their hometown in front of everybody. I’m excited to fight in Toronto. Perfect. There couldn’t be a better place to get this done.
Penn retired after losing a lop-sided bout to Nick Diaz at UFC 137, but has obviously changed his mind since then.
One of only two fighters to hold a UFC title in two separate weight classes, with “The Natural” Randy Couture being the other, Penn seems to be a sure thing for the UFC Hall of Fame one day.
However, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expert is just 1-3-1 in his past five fights, going winless in 2011. Prior to losing the decision to Diaz, Penn fought perennial contender Jon Fitch to a draw at UFC 127.
On the other hand, MacDonald is 13-1 as a professional fighter, with his sole blemish coming at the hands of UFC interim welterweight champion Carlos Condit in June 2010.
“Ares” is currently a 3 to 1 favorite over Penn, but could the Hawaiian have one more vintage performance left in the tank?
Fans will have a chance to see for themselves at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada on Sept. 22.
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