UFC 127 Fight Card: 5 Opponents BJ Penn Needs to Fight Before He Retires
Is there anyone who B.J. Penn hasn't fought?
He has fought welterweights George St. Pierre and Matt Hughes, and lightweights Jens Pulver, Kenny Florian, Frankie Edgar and Sean Sherk. He has also ventured into light-heavyweight for a match with former champion, Lyoto Machida.
There aren't too many opponents left that were not at the top of the divisions when Penn fought in them.
He faces the second best welterweight in the world, Jon Fitch, this weekend at UFC 127. If he emerges victorious, it will open the door to many new and exciting challenges in his status as one of the best fighters ever in MMA.
No. 5 Thiago Alves (18-7)
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Thiago "Pitbull" Alves is known for cutting tremendous weight to make the welterweight limit of 170 pounds. He is one of the bigger fighters in the division and may be the biggest welterweight on fight night that isn't named Anthony Johnson.
How would a smaller fighter like B.J. Penn fare against him?
Alves arguably has the best kicks in MMA and is one of the best strikers in the division. Penn has an advantage when it comes to pure boxing, but Alves will not be afraid to strike with punches or kicks.
It would be an exciting, back-and-forth fight as long as it doesn't hit the ground where Penn holds an advantage in grappling. Getting it there would be a major challenge for Penn.
Cardio may be the biggest test of these two if they fight, and it's hard to pick a favorite.
No. 4 Eddie Alvarez (21-2)
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Alvarez has emerged as one of the best lightweights in the world that isn't in the UFC. He has only been to decision twice in his professional career, and has stopped fighters like Roger Huerta, Josh Neer and Tatsuya Kawajiri.
The 27-year-old will be looking for bigger challenges when he takes a step into the UFC Octagon. As long as he continues to win, he will receive offers to compete with some of the best. His next fight is against the tough wrestler, Pat Curran, at Bellator 39.
If Penn decides to drop back down to 155 pounds, the influx of lightweights from the WEC and other organizations is more than enough to keep him occupied. Fighters like Anthony Pettis and Ben Henderson are worthy challenges, but a fight with Alvarez is the most intriguing.
No. 3 Nick Diaz (24-7)
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If Nick Diaz, the Strikeforce welterweight champion, doesn't sign with the UFC due to his "attitude," it will be a shame that a fight between him and Penn never happens. It would draw a lot of interest and could be one of the best fights either fighter has ever been in.
Diaz doesn't present any one considerable danger to the former lightweight and welterweight champion, but his boxing remains some of the very best in the division. A boxing match in the UFC between Diaz and Penn would be fun to watch.
Penn holds an advantage on the ground, but Diaz has the size and skills to make things interesting if it goes there.
If a fight with Nick Diaz doesn't happen down the line, a fight with his brother, Nate Diaz, could be a solid challenge. Just give him one of the Diaz brothers. They always come to fight and so does Penn. Plus, the build up would be entertaining.
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No. 2 Jake Shields (26-4)
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If Penn and Shields are both victorious in their upcoming bouts, who wouldn't want to see a fight between them?
Shields will be taking on Georges St. Pierre, the best welterweight in the world, at UFC 131.
He already holds notable wins over Dan Henderson, Yushin Okami, Carlos Condit, Robbie Lawler, James Miller and Martin Kampmann. He practically made his welterweight title run at middleweight. If he defeats St. Pierre, his position as one of the sport's best will be solidified. He may even be considered for the number one position if he can submit the Canadian superstar.
Shields vs. Penn is a fight that could draw a lot of attention. Both are excellent on the ground, and Shields' wrestling could be a determining factor in the outcome of the fight. Penn holds a big advantage standing, and could present danger with his accurate and technical boxing—a place where Shields needs a lot of work.
No. 1 Jose Aldo (18-1)
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If Aldo decides to move up to the lightweight division, it will come after a long and dominating run at featherweight that has already defined his career. With new fighters like Kenny Florian making their way to 145, he is presented with a big challenge in an opponent that Penn defeated previously at UFC 101.
Aldo vs. Florian could be the fight that launches Aldo into the higher divisions if he wins, and a fight between him an Penn would be a marketable super-fight.
It's the most exciting fight that could be made for Aldo, and it is one that should happen if he keeps destroying his opponents. This is the most likely a fight that will happen so it should be the one everyone looks forward too.
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