BJ Penn Is Open to a Return to Lightweight, Wants One More Title Shot

BJ Penn wants another title shot before he rides off into the sunset of Hawaii, and he doesn't particularly care what weight class it is in.

MMAweekly.com reported in an article following the UFC 137 media conference call held late last week that Penn would indeed be open to a return to the 155-pound division before his career is finished.

"I'd love to get another title before I step out of the game. I'd love to get another, maybe win the welterweight title one more time. Maybe even if possible, try to get the lightweight title one more time," Penn said on the conference call.

When asked if he thinks he will get a title shot if he beats Diaz, Penn didn't want to get ahead of things:

"I don't want to speak too soon. As far as everything goes, I'm just trying to take it one fight at a time. If Dana feels that I am impressive in my next fight, and he wants to grant me that opportunity, I'd be very gracious for the offer.

"As far as getting a title shot or whatever, I think a bunch of the title shot and all of that, it's about the right timing, who is open, who is injured, who's not injured," he added.

Penn has fought in 11 title fights which ties him for third on the UFC all-time list, tied with Georges St-Pierre and behind only Randy Couture (15) and Matt Hughes (12).

He is definitely open for a return to the 155-pound division to get that next title shot.

"If the offer presented itself, I would jump at the chance," Penn said.

At 32 years of age, Penn is not close to considering retirement.

"I'm not planning on going anywhere soon, but you never know when you get that opportunity for a title shot, or maybe get a title, just like Carlos Condit. He's going to sit out and wait because he never knows again when he could get that opportunity."

"I understand him doing something like that. You never know, I'd love to stick around as long as Randy (Couture) stuck around if I could do something like that."

Dwight Wakabayashi is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA and correspondent for MMACanada.net.

Catch him on Facebook and Twitter at wakafightermma.