B.J. Penn Talks Edgar Trilogy, Making 145 Pounds And More

Yesterday, former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion, B.J. Penn (16-9-2 MMA, 12-8-2 UFC), stopped by “UFC Tonight” to discuss his upcoming trilogy fight with Frankie Edgar (16-4-1 MMA, 10-4-1 UFC).

Even though their first two meetings took place at 155-pounds, the trilogy bout will reportedly take place in the featherweight division (145lbs). If the fight does take place at featherweight, it will mark the first time that Penn has fought in the division and the fifth different weight class he’s competed in during his illustrious career.

However, during his appearance on “UFC Tonight,” Penn revealed that he doesn’t actually know the contracted weight limit for the bout, which is expected to take place in spring 2014:

“I’m very confident I can make 145 [pounds]. I still don’t know exactly what weight this fight is going to be at. Me, Lorenzo Fertitta and Dana White  have had some talks back and forth. But, 145 pounds. I know I can make it any day of the week.”

“The Prodigy” doesn’t feel that the weight cut will affect his cardio, claiming that he wants the non-title fight to be five rounds, just like their first two encounters at UFC 112 and UFC 118:

“Three rounds, you know what, it ain’t gonna be the same if I end up beating Frankie in three rounds. I want the five rounds.”

As for the reason behind Penn’s return, the answer is simple:

“I want this fight. Frankie is the man right now. In my eyes, Frankie really hasn’t lost. He’s had a couple close fights at 155, he had a real close fight against Aldo at 145, I want to come and make a statement. If everyone says I am the greatest of all time; Frankie’s beat me twice, what does that make him? I want to go in and erase everything one time, one time. I know Frankie’s going to be ready. Let’s do this.”

There is no lack of motivation for this fight, as Penn explained:

“From a competitive standpoint, he’s the one thing standing in the way of people saying B.J. Penn is the greatest Lightweight ever. Without a doubt Frankie Edgar is standing in the way.”

The two former UFC lightweight champions, Edgar and Penn, will collide for a third time following “The Ultimate Fighter Season 19,” with “The Prodigy” and “The Answer” serving as coaches on the FOX Sports 1-produced mixed martial arts television series.

Penn and Edgar first met back in 2010 at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi, where Edgar was able to pull off a very close decision victory over “The Prodigy,” earning the UFC’s lightweight strap in the process. The fight was so close that the UFC decided to have an immediate rematch, which took place at UFC 118 event in Boston.

In the rematch, Frankie proved that he did indeed have “The Answer” to Penn’s arsenal, as he went on to win a decisive unanimous-decision victory over the Hilo, Hawaii native.

How do you see the trilogy bout playing out?