UFC president Dana White has repeatedly stated that before a champion in any weight class should jump up or down in weight to compete, he should clear out his division of worthy challengers. Apparently White thinks that lightweight champion BJ Penn is close to clearing out the lightweight division and, with a win over Frankie Edgar at UFC 112, may be setting himself up to make another run at the welterweight title.

Source: Fight Line

The much-delayed championship fight will share headlining duties with the light-heavyweight bout between former 205-pound champion Forrest Griffin and current middleweight champion Anderson Silva.

“BJ Penn is called the ‘Prodigy’ for a reason. He has proven to be dangerous in multiple weight classes but he is definitely at his best at 155,” said UFC president Dana White. “Now the lightweight champ defends his title against top contender Kenny Florian, who has improved by leaps and bounds since his UFC debut on the Ultimate Fighter. Originally known for his outstanding jiu-jitsu skills, Florian is now as well known for his devastating Muay Thai. Both of these guys excel standing and on the ground so I am expecting non-stop action in this world title fight.”

The UFC has also released the details for seeing the event live. Tickets are priced from $50 to $600 and go on sale to the public Saturday, May 23 at 10 a.m. ET. UFC Fight Club members get the first shot on Thursday, May 21 at 10 a.m., while newsletter subscribers will also get an earlier sale date on Friday May 22 at 10 a.m.

Source: MMAFighting.com

It has probably been announced on bjpenn.com as well, but I was too excited when I entered to go to his site to look.

The winner gets a free trip to Hawaii and a lesson with BJ Penn himself.

All of the MMA fighters on the Yard are in a frenzy—well at least one is.

My good friend and fellow blogger on the yard, Clint Matthewson—who actually was the winner of BJ’s last contest and got to see UFC 94 in person as well as being able to meet several UFC fighters and have his picture taken with them, won the karaoke contest on BJ Penn.com.

Clint fights MMA on a smaller scale, but would love to actually meet his idol and have the free lesson.

I don’t blame him either. As he, or one of the other fans mentioned, thinks of how having it written on your resume, that you had actually trained with the Prodigy in his own gym in his own home state, would look.

Wouldn’t that be a thrill?

So if anyone here on B/R is a big BJ Penn fan and would love to learn some of his secrets, check out either the Yard Barker or BJ’s own site and enter. It is easy, or obviously I wouldn’t have done it.

What? You are asking what I will do if I win?

Well, rather than trying to hold my breath and carry a rock beneath the beautiful blue Hawaiian water, I will ask if I can go a few rounds with his daughter.

She is still light enough for me to be able to hold her and give her a bottle, and rocking babies to sleep is my specialty.

I just hope she will enjoy hearing me sing “Bye Baby Bunting.”

Source: Bleacher Report

The post states the bout will headline UFC 101 on Aug. 8 in Philadelphia.

The bout will be Penn’s first defense of his lightweight title since defeating Sean Sherk at UFC 84 in May of last year. It will also mark his first action in the Octagon since a loss to UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre at UFC 94 in January, which has been mired in controversy over accusations of improper usage of Vaseline by St. Pierre’s camp.

“I look forward to the challenge,” Penn stated about the defense.

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MMA Junkie Reports

While mentions of B.J. Penn (13-5-1 MMA, 9-4-1 UFC) seem to come predominantly with repetitive discussions of “Greasegate,” the lightweight champ will soon be looking to defend his belt for the first time since defeating Sean Sherk in May 2008.

As rumors continue to circulate regarding a UFC 101 main event between Penn and top contender Kenny Florian (11-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC), the challenger said on the latest episode of ESPN.com’s “MMA Live,” he’s still waiting to secure the deal.

“At the end of the day, I just want this fight to be signed,” Florian said. “Let’s get an event, let’s get a date, and let’s make it happen.”

Florian was asked by “MMA Live” host Jon Anik if UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta’s comments on popular mixed martial arts message board The Underground of a potential UFC 101 bout with Penn were true.

Florian responded by jokingly questioning Anik’s sources.

“Do you believe everything you read on the forums?” Florian asked. “Are you going and getting your news on forums now?”

Florian, currently riding a six-fight win streak in the UFC, then clarified that nothing was finalized, but that he was hopeful for the bout.

“Hopefully it is true,” Florian said. “Aug. 8, it’s supposed to be in Philadelphia at the Wachovia Center, which would be phenomenal for me. I’m from the East Coast.”

Later in the episode Florian answered a viewer mail question which asked if the events of “Greasegate” made a third bout between Penn and UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre (18-2 MMA, 12-2 UFC) a marketable option for the organization.

Florian had a simple answer.

“I think the fans want to see Penn against Florian,” Florian said.

Among the oddities of Tuesday’s hearing was that Penn’s mother, Lorraine Shin, read a prepared statement detailing why she thought the commission should take action.

“It’s not for the love of my son; it’s for my love of the sport,” Shin said. “It’s to protect every fighter that comes forward. It’s not for just my son. It’s to do the right thing.”

But while the Commission heard the argument from Penn, his camp and his family that St. Pierre cheated to win at UFC 94, it did not take any action against St. Pierre. And the Commission’s Executive Director, Keith Kizer, indicated that no disciplinary action is likely to be taken.

“I have no plans to bring anything against anybody in this case,” Kizer said.

By declining to take any action, the Commission is essentially saying that it believes St. Pierre’s cornerman, Phil Nurse, when he says that he didn’t intentionally break MMA rules by rubbing grease on St. Pierre. And the Commission is also saying that it’s time to move on.

Source: MMA Fanhouse