BJ Penn: Wants to Regain UFC Titles, Train with Anderson Silva Before Retiring

Former UFC Lightweight and Welterweight Champion, BJ Penn, was recently forced to drop out of his scheduled rematch with Jon Fitch at UFC 132, citing a shoulder injury that could require surgery.

When the Hawaii native took perhaps the biggest beating of his MMA career in the third round of his fight with Fitch at UFC 127, he sounded as if he was truly contemplating retirement in numerous post-fight interviews. But now we know that he is not ready to call it quits and is, in fact, looking to become a champion once again.

“I was pretty bummed out about how the fight went,” Penn told MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani. “I felt like I had the tools at that time, and I have the tools now, to beat Jon Fitch.”

Penn and Fitch fought to a draw in the UFC 127 main event in a decision which drew much controversy from fans of each fighter who believe their man won.

“At the end of the day, I think everything unfolds the way it should,” Penn professed. “If we get back in the ring again, it’ll be a blessing for both guys.”

While the 32 year old understands that his time on the top may be limited, he also has intentions of making another run at a championship.

“I want to pull off another three, solid years and also get one or two more championships,” Penn said. “It’d be wonderful if I could come back and try to get the welterweight title back under my wing.”

“And then maybe try to go back and get the lightweight title one more time.”

Being a two division champion is something that is incredibly difficult to do, especially today when the competition is fiercer than it has ever been. But Penn has done it before and, as evidenced by the only other man to do it, Randy Couture, age doesn’t necessarily have to be a deterrent.

For now, Penn plans to remain in the welterweight division, a weight which many believe he is too small to compete at. But Penn disagrees with that sentiment.

“I think a lot of these guys cut way too much weight and I think I’m strong enough to be in there with them,” he explained.

If anyone is tough enough and skilled enough to be an undersized fighter in perhaps the UFC’s strongest division, it may be “The Prodigy.” In fact, UFC Middleweight Champion, Anderson Silva, recently proclaimed Penn as the man whom he believes to be the greatest pound-for-pound fighter the sport has ever seen.

“Anderson is too nice,” Penn humbly said. “That’s exactly what I think about him. I mean, how could he be anything else?”

“I won’t consider myself one of the pound-for-pound best until I get a world title back.”

In order to do that, Penn is going to have to continue working and adapting his game, something which he has done throughout his career. As he nears the end, though, he does admit that he would like to do some training with other camps, including with Black House and Anderson Silva.

“Black House, that is definitely one place I would stop in, to train,” Penn confessed.

That will likely have to wait, though, as Penn does not currently have a fight on his plate. He will be getting his shoulder looked next week as he is still experiencing soreness in it, which may mean that it could need surgery.