B.J. Penn vs. Nate Diaz Needs to Happen Now

After suffering a beatdown at the hands of Nick Diaz at UFC 137, B.J. Penn announced his retirement from MMA.

Many fans were skeptical if Penn would remain retired for long, though, as many fighters have made impulsive decisions directly after fights and changed their minds soon after.

As it turns out, they were right.

This message, aimed at Diaz, was posted on Penn’s official Twitter account Thursday:

"

Look how much bigger you are in this [picture]...I thought you were gonna scrap from the beginning homie? What was that coward fence holding strategy to tire out the smaller man? Street fighter my ass! I made you fight like glass jaw @jonfitchdotnet poser! I'll be ready for that weak bs next time we fight

"

The picture Penn is referring to is one of himself and Diaz taken shortly after their fight in October, where the two seem to be on good terms.

Apparently this isn’t the case.

It looks like Penn is ready to step back into the cage once again, and while he would obviously like to get a shot at redemption against the elder Diaz,it is unlikely to happen any time soon.

Penn has consistently struggled when he has fought in the welterweight division, and while he has gone just 1-1-1 since returning to 170 lbs. in 2010, Diaz is on a monster win streak and has won his last 11 straight bouts.

With Diaz getting a shot at the interim title in February, and contenders like Jake Ellenberger, Diego Sanchez and Johny Hendricks all looking to earn a title fight in the next few months, Penn is far away from getting a rematch with Diaz.

However in Penn’s former weight class, lightweight, Nick’s younger brother, Nate, has recently solidified himself as a contender by defeating both Takanori Gomi and Donald Cerrone in impressive fashion.

The younger Diaz is now sitting near the top of the 155-lb. heap with seemingly no one to fight, as all of the top contenders are locked up in other bouts.

This is where Penn comes in.

Penn has proven to be a much better fighter when he makes the cut to lightweight, and a fight with Nate would make sense on multiple levels.

Not only would it give Nate a solid fighter to try and defeat to stake his claim for a title shot, after this recent outburst of Penn’s, there is little doubt Nate would hesitate to try and defend his brother’s honor.

If Penn wants to return in the next few months, he may not get his wish in the form of a shot at Nick Diaz, but perhaps a bout with his rival’s younger sibling would suffice.