Morning Report: B.J. Penn done with featherweight, ‘I should have never fought at 145’
In what may come as a relief to some of his most loyal fans, B.J. Penn says we’ve seen the last of him at featherweight.
The 39-year-old Penn has long been an icon in the MMA world due to his exploits at 155 and 170 pounds that saw him take on all comers and win UFC titles in both weight classes during the 2000s. However, the latter stages of his career have been filled with disappointment as he has gone 1-7-1 since April 2010.
A three-fight stint at featherweight provided no cure for the Hawaiian’s woes as he was TKO’d by Frankie Edgar and Yair Rodriguez before losing a majority decision to Dennis Siver this past June.
Rumors began circulating over the weekend that “The Prodigy” was set to fight Ashkan Mokhtarian in a 145-pound bout at UFC 221 on Feb. 11, but Penn shot the matchup down in an interview with BJPenn.com.
“I wish,” Penn said. “But as of right now there is no plans of me fighting.”
Despite his struggles, Penn has previously stopped short of announcing his retirement (which would be the third time he has done so), though he confessed that he doesn’t “feel the fire to compete right now.”
Penn appears to be done with making the cut to 145 should he decide to put the gloves on again and he regrets ever having done so in the first place.
“I should have never fought at 145,” Penn said. “It was a bad decision to move down in weight at my age. Maybe if I had made the move in my early 20s it would have been different. But I did not feel good at 145.”
MUST-READ STORIES
Who’s next? UFC featherweight champion Cris Cyborg considers defending against Amanda Nunes or Megan Anderson.
Here comes Dern. Brazilian jiu-jitsu superstar and undefeated MMA fighter Mackenzie Dern debuts with the UFC in March.
Cyborg responds. Cris Cyborg addresses an insulting social media post.
JMMA. Kyoji Horiguchi reigned supreme at this past weekend’s Rizin FF shows.
Not impressed. Tony Ferguson is not afraid of Khabib Nurmagomedov or Conor McGregor.
VIDEO STEW
Get hyped.
A look back at 2017 with Joe Rogan.
Chael Sonnen analyzes Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Bellator’s Mercedes Terrell answers your questions.
“Killer Cub” vs. “The Korean Superboy”, for free.
LISTEN UP
MMA Nation. Breaking down UFC 219, including Cris Cyborg vs. Holly Holm.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
McGregor and Nurmagomedov going at it.
Truly truly truly get on your fucking knees and beg me. Otherwise I don't give a bollox.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) January 1, 2018
My whiskey is out this year and thats Diddy bread.
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) January 1, 2018
I slaughter your pets and wear them as coats. And I only wear them once. https://t.co/5IMAc3ysgN
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) January 2, 2018
Mama Cyborg.
Ferguson congratulates his rival.
Congrats @TeamKhabib On The Fight & On The New Addition To The Family ✌️ Enjoy The Holidays, See You Soon #TeamTiramisu
— Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) January 1, 2018
Iron Mike.
Respect.
Heck of a birthday present.
Nerd Bash 2018.
Believe and achieve.
Bright lights, bright future.
Daniel Straus recovering nicely.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mackenzie Dern (5-0) vs. Ashley Yoder (5-3); UFC 222, March 3.
Jake Matthews (11-3) vs. Li Jingliang (14-4); UFC 221, Feb. 11.
Luke Jumeau (12-4) vs. Daichi Abe (6-0); UFC 221, Feb. 11.
TODAY IN MMA HISTORY
2010: UFC 108 takes place in Las Vegas, Nev., one of the most snakebitten cards in the promotion’s history. By the time fight night rolls around, several bouts were canceled due to various maladies including a middleweight title fight between Anderson Silva and Vitor Belfort, a heavyweight title fight between Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin, and a No. 1 heavyweight contender’s bout between Cain Velasquez and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. Gabriel Gonzaga, Carlos Condit, Tyson Griffin, and Sean Sherk were also among the fighters who were forced to withdraw from the event, which was eventually headlined by Rashad Evans vs. Thiago Silva.
2016: Robbier Lawler successfully defends the UFC welterweight title against Carlos Condit by split decision in the main event of UFC 195 in Las Vegas, Nev. The bout is an instant classic and it ends with both fighters exhausted and hunched over on top of the cage next to each other after five brutal rounds of high level striking.
FINAL THOUGHTS
It was a busy weekend of fights to close out the year, with UFC 219 sandwiched between two Rizin FF events over in Japan, so for all you hardcores that tuned in to every single minute, find some time to rest, relax, and rejuvenate yourself.
Jed Meshew will return in the next edition of the Morning Report, but for now this is Alexander K. Lee wishing you all the best in 2018.
EXIT POLL
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