UFC 137 Results: Why B.J. Penn Will Retire After Loss to Nick Diaz

B.J. Penn is one of the great figures in UFC history, one of only two fighters to win two title belts in two different weight classes.

But after his one-sided loss to Nick Diaz on Saturday in UFC 137, Penn is bound to finally retire from the sport he loves.

Noticeably camera-shy after getting bludgeoned for the last two rounds on Saturday, Penn was approached by commentator Joe Rogan after the fight. Fighting a badly swollen left eye, Penn made a point to shake Rogan's hand and while he walked away Rogan asked the question everyone was asking: Was this Penn's last fight in the UFC?

Penn was hesitant, not giving a clear answer, but he referenced his daughter shouldn't have to see him like this. 

Because Penn knew, despite all his yearnings to turn back the clock, that his time had come, and there was no need to suffer any more punishment. He knew that if he was beaten this badly against Diaz, how badly would he have been beaten if he faced Georges St-Pierre? He knew that he wouldn't have lasted three rounds.

Penn's legacy goes far beyond his record of 16-8-2. He was one of the most fearless fighters in UFC history, a man who would fight anyone, regardless of the weight class. He even faced light heavyweight Lyota Machida in 2005, going the full three rounds against the Japanese-Brazilian.

It's because of this that no one will ever question Penn's heart, even as his skills declined in the last few fights. He gave everything he had when he knew he didn't have much left. He fought to the end, and if he didn't have a family to take care of he likely would have fought even longer.

There was no question who the better fighter was on Saturday, but by the end of the fight everyone's attention was focused on the man who had been defeated.

It didn't matter to anyone that Penn lost on Saturday because he was already a winner.