Ricardo Lamas vs. BJ Penn Announced for UFC Manila: Latest Details and Reaction

Ricardo Lamas will face BJ Penn in UFC Fight Night 97's headline bout, the UFC announced on Monday.

UFC Asia tweeted the news:

The featherweights will step into the Octagon in Manila, Philippines, on Oct. 15.

Penn has won just one of the seven bouts he's fought since 2009, with the lone victory coming against Matt Hughes in November 2010.

The UFC legend retired on multiple occasions before announcing in January that he intended to return to the sport.

However, his comeback has been delayed following an investigation into allegations of sexual assault—which he denies, per Marc Raimondi of MMA Fighting—and a six-month ban from USADA after the use of an IV, per Ariel Helwani of the same outlet.

The Daily Telegraph's Nick Campton believes Penn could struggle against Lamas:

The Bully is coming off a defeat to Max Holloway in June, his fifth defeat in 21 career fights.

Back in 2014, Lamas fought Jose Aldo for the featherweight title, but some mixed results following that defeat amid the rise of Conor McGregor have thus far prevented him from earning another shot at the championship.

Nevertheless, the 34-year-old should be in better shape than his opponent, who has fought once since 2012 and endured a turbulent 2016 with his delayed comeback.

Penn's last two bouts have ended in defeat. Facing Lamas could well make it an unwelcome hat-trick.