Fighters Only

Issue 108

December 2013

All the head-turning information every MMA fan needs to know.

PENN RETURNS FOR 145LB EDGAR FIGHT, TUF COACHING SLOT

Former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion BJ Penn will return to competition to face two-time rival Frankie Edgar at featherweight. The pair will also be opposing coaches on the 19th season of The Ultimate Fighter, with their fight expected for April 2014. The decision brings a nine-month quasi retirement to an end for the 34-year-old Hawaiian.

The two have fought twice before, at UFC 112 and 118, each time for the UFC 155lb title with Edgar winning both contests by decision, despite being the underdog on each occasion.

UFC president Dana White said: “BJ really hates the fact that he lost to Frankie Edgar. It’s something that’s been burning deep inside of him for three years now.

“So he’s moving down to 145lb to not only avenge those defeats, but to try and become the first fighter in UFC history to win titles in three different weight classes.”

Following his victories over Penn, Edgar held the title for just under two years until losing back-to-back decisions to Benson Henderson.

Those defeats sent him to 145lb where he was unsuccessful in a challenge for the belt of division champion José Aldo. Meanwhile, Penn went back up to 170lb, going 1-2-1 against top names before taking a break from the sport.

BACKTALK: JOHN MAKDESSI (UFC lightweight)

“You know, BJ Penn is an absolute legend in the sport. He’s absolutely incredible and has fought in so many weight classes. He’s a true fighter, but I think he’s coming back because of boredom. I think he really wants to make a statement against Edgar. ”

THOMSON REPLACES GRANT AGAINST PETTIS FOR 155LB TITLE

UFC and Strikeforce veteran Josh Thomson will borrow Canadian lightweight TJ Grant’s number-one contender status to battle champion Anthony Pettis’ for his 155lb title in the main event of UFC on Fox 9 in December.

Grant is suffering the same concussion-related symptoms that nixed his challenge for UFC gold against previous lightweight champion Benson Henderson. Pettis instead stood in for Grant, winning the belt by first-round armbar back in late August.

Former Strikeforce champion Thomson TKO’d recent UFC title challenger Nate Diaz in April to open his second stint inside the promotion’s Octagon.