BJ Penn Not Ready to Retire Yet, Testing the Waters for Return at 155 Pounds

Former UFC welterweight and lightweight champion BJ Penn isn't ready to hang up the gloves just yet.

It was just over a week ago that UFC President Dana White made a very public plea about his desire to see Penn retire following a long, successful career in the UFC.  Unfortunately for Penn, his last couple of fights have not only resulted in losses, but also excessive damage done to an already weathered 34-year old body that's been competing in MMA for more than a decade.

White said at the time following the conclusion of the UFC 160 post-fight press conference that Penn was just too tough for his own good, and retirement really was the best choice for him right now.

"BJ is too tough for his own good.  BJ might not be knocked out, but the shots BJ took would have knocked out a normal human being," White stated.  "He's had his head bounced off the canvas like a basketball by Matt Hughes, by Georges St-Pierre.  BJ Penn has left that Octagon looking like a f—king alien." 

 

"He's too tough for his own good.  You don't knock out BJ Penn.  BJ Penn absorbs every amount of punishment you can give him, doesn't mean he hasn't taken damage.  He's taken a lot of damage and I don't want to see him take anymore."

 

It appears that while Penn may respect White's opinion, he's not ready to call it a career just yet. He's actually back in training to see if he can make one more run in the UFC.

 

According to a report via UFC Tonight, Penn has been back in the gym to gauge if his body and mind are able to put together the necessary work to take another fight in the Octagon.

 

No decision about his future has been made yet.

But if f Penn does get back in the cage again it will be at 155 pounds, the division where he reigned as champion for more than two years between 2008 and 2010.

 

It comes as welcome news for fans of Penn, who have long rallied to see the former lightweight king return to his former weight class.  His last four fights have all been at welterweight, where Penn went 1-2-1 overall including the last two losses in a row.

 

Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and all quotes were obtained first hand unless otherwise noted.