B.J. Penn last set foot inside the UFC Octagon in 2014, when he ended up being beaten to a bloody pulp by Frankie Edgar. Marking his third consecutive loss, “The Prodigy” announced his retirement right after.
It turned out to be a mere 18-month hiatus, as Penn decided to make a UFC return in 2016. After unsuccessful attempts, he is now finally slated for a comeback on Saturday, January 15th against Yair Rodriguez in Phoenix. Seemingly rejuvenated under the guidance of his new team at the renowned Jackson-Winklejohn academy in Albuquerque, the 38-year-old Penn continues to set the bar high for himself.
“My whole goal right now is to just get that third world title. And then we’ll see,” Penn told MMA Fighting. “If it takes a little while, maybe we walk away. If we get it quick, then maybe we go to 155. I don’t know. I don’t know, but I know … I’m in here to fight and I’m going to win on Sunday, and you’re going to see me again quick after this, for sure.”
Penn first broached the idea of fighting for a third world title last December, targeting the featherweight belt. It is, what he says, keeps him going as he enters his 16th year as a professional fighter.
“What’s still driving me is I want to just keep getting better. I love martial arts,” Penn said. “I love everything about it. Definitely, the third title is also 100 percent driving me — getting those three titles in three different weight classes, that would just be an awesome accomplishment for myself, and then I could probably get some sleep at night. That is my driving factor.”