BJ Penn Considering a Move to Welterweight After UFC 112

Today during the UFC 112 media call, lightweight champion BJ Penn stated that if he is successful against Frankie Edgar on April 10 in Abu Dhabi, he will consider making the jump to welterweight.

Penn said that he would look to make a slow transition at first, similar to the forays middleweight kingpin Anderson Silva has made into the light-heavyweight division, but making a complete transition to welterweight is a very real possibility.

Since returning to the UFC lightweight division, Penn has decimated all who have been placed in front of him. In his five lightweight battles, not one has made it to the judges’ scorecards.

Even though Penn is still toying with the possibility of moving up in weight, he is very cognizant of the challenge that he has ahead of him in Frankie Edgar.

“If you look past Frankie (Edgar) you will get a loss on your record,” the lightweight champion stated.

While Penn may not be looking past Edgar, the possibility that Edgar will pose any real threat to Penn’s title is minuscule.

Simply put, Penn has no real competition left at lightweight, and the move to welterweight is imminent.

It is a move that fans should be clamoring for. Welterweight has far more intriguing matchups available for Penn.

How exciting would it be to see Penn box with British bombers Paul Daley and Dan Hardy?

Or have his supreme takedown defense tested by the likes of Josh Koscheck and Jon Fitch?

How much fun would a potential matchup with the young and powerful Thiago Alves be?

Better yet, how does a rematch with Georges St. Pierre sound after Penn has lain to waste all other welterweight competitors?

Between his flawless technical prowess and newfound dedication to strength and conditioning, Penn could make some serious waves in the UFC welterweight division.

What do you think of this potential move?