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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Despite last week talking about his interest in fighting at both welterweight and lightweight in the future, B.J. Penn has his eyes set on regaining his UFC Lightweight Championship down the line.
He revealed as much on ESPN's Sportscenter on Wednesday morning, and said that he expects to head back down to the 155 lb. division after dispatching of Matt Hughes in their rubber match at UFC 123 on Saturday.
"I know I'll get my chance again," Penn said on the program. "I plan on going out and beating Matt Hughes, and honestly, deep down in my heart, I know I'll be Lightweight Champion again."
This diversion up to welterweight to face Hughes came about as Penn wanted to stay as active as he can following consecutive losses to Frankie Edgar, and also because he feels he has a score to settle after the two split fights years ago.
"I'm probably stuck somewhere in between [lightweight and welterweight], but it doesn't matter," Penn said. "We can get down at 170 lbs. or 155 lbs. It doesn't make a big difference to me."
Penn and Hughes meet on Saturday in the co-main event of UFC 123 from The Palace in Auburn Hills just outside of Detroit, Mich.
Penick's Analysis: This is more clear than Penn's comments last week about his plans following this bout, and it makes more sense for him. I honestly believe Frankie Edgar may just be the kryptonite for Penn in the lightweight division. His combination of speed, striking and takedown ability were enough to keep Penn off his game in two fights, but I don't know that anyone else in the division is capable of duplicating that. We'll see what B.J. Penn shows up on Saturday, but if he gets through Hughes with a relative amount of ease, he'll be well on his way towards getting back in the title picture when he drops down.
[B.J. Penn art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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