BJ Penn had a rather disgraceful UFC return last January 15th. “The Prodigy”, who once dominated every opponent put in front of him, was battered into a second-round stoppage by 24-year-old fast-rising prospect Yair Rodriguez.
Former UFC veteran Josh Koscheck was one of the many who witnessed Penn’s beating and fourth consecutive loss. And based on what he saw, the TUF Season One alum believes things would be different if Penn was signed under Bellator.
“They fed BJ to the lions in that one,” Koscheck told ESPN.com. “If BJ were to come to Bellator, they’d put him in a good matchup that is something exciting for the fans. I hated to see BJ in that kind of fight, taking that kind of damage. That kid he fought is a stud.”
“BJ has money,” he continued. “He’s not fighting for money. He wants to compete. I also want to go in and compete, get my hand raised.”
At this stage of his career, Koscheck seems perfectly satisfied fighting under Bellator. On Saturday, he will be making his debut with the company at Bellator 172, when he faces Mauricio Alonso.
“With what Bellator’s got going on, I can fight guys my own age, which is cool. I’m not in this to make money. I’m trying to test myself at age 39, see what I’m still capable of. And we’ll get to find out on Saturday.”