B.J. Penn claimed that he was “done” after being thoroughly roughed out by Nick Diaz at UFC 137. Penn has been more of less “off the radar” since the loss but there has still been a fair amount of curiosity over if the legendary fighter was actually hanging up the gloves.
UFC president Dana White addressed the situation this weekend (via MMA Fighting):
UFC president Dana White recently had a chance to speak with the Hawaiian great at the recent UFC on FX card in Sweden, and the pair addressed his future. According to him, Penn’s career as an active fighter isn’t over.
“I heard some s— that he said he was going to retire and all this stuff,” White said. “He was like, ‘Nah, I’m going to fight again.'”
So, that sounds like Penn hasn’t decided he’s done quite yet.
I do enjoy Dana saying he “heard some s—” as though it was some sort of rumor that had been spread around the internet.
This was the interview Penn gave in-cage after the Diaz loss:
Hats off to Nick Diaz. He’s the man. Joe, this was probably the last time you’ll see me in here. I can’t keep performing at the top level. That’s it Joe. I got a daughter and another daughter on the way, I don’t want to go home looking like this. I’m done.
That being said, never take a fighter’s retirement in the ring/cage directly after a loss as gospel. Emotions are riding too high and things usually change after a few months.