PENN MOVING TO 170 REGARDLESS OF UFC 87 OUTCOMES

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PENN MOVING TO 170 REGARDLESS OF UFC 87 OUTCOMES
Friday, August 08, 2008 - by Jeff Cain - MMAWeekly.com

Georges St-Pierre and BJ Penn first fought at UFC 58, more than two years ago. Penn dominated the first round but lost a close split decision to the Canadian mixed martial arts superstar. Penn confirmed to MMAWeekly that he expects to be back in the octagon in Dec. against the winner of St-Peirre and Jon Fitch at UFC 87. But UFC president Dana White is not so sure.

"I don't think he'll get the winner of Fitch and GSP, said the UFC president. "He wants to fight GSP if GSP wins the title. GSP has a win over him. He wants to try to beat GSP. I don't think he'd move up if Fitch won."

Penn disagrees, commenting, "I'd feel okay facing anyone for the welterweight title."

"Jon Fitch is a great opponent, a tough opponent, but St. Pierre brings the whole backing of Canada with him to a fight," stated Penn. "Fan base, this sport, it's entertainment. It would be great to put on a big fight with me and St-Pierre, but then again, it’s about me fighting the best fighter and if Fitch goes down and proves he’s the best fighter, then he’s the man.”

Penn recently told MMAWeekly.com that he wants to bounce back and forth between the 170 and 155 pound weight divisions. "I'd like to fight welterweight and lightweight at the same time if I could," said the former welterweight champion.

"I'm moving up to the welterweight division and moving down to defend the lightweight title," stated the UFC lightweight titleholder.

Penn expects his next fight to be at welterweight and to be against the winner of St-Pierre and Fitch. "I'm looking at the Florian/Huerta fight and I'm also looking and the Georges St-Pierre/Jon Fitch fight," stated the Hawaiian fighter.

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After GSP beat Jon Fitch at UFC 87, Benn came into the Octagon and showed his interest of fighting GSP by saying "Let's Do It".

GSP wasn't backing down from BJ's challenge but he was certainly more political by saying he'd give anyone that deserves the title shot their chance first.