UFC 137 Results: 4 Reasons BJ Penn Should Not Retire After Loss to Nick Diaz

B.J. Penn may have lost to Nick Diaz but that's no reason to retire. There's still plenty for Penn to fight for in the UFC.

Penn announced his retirement in his post-fight interview with UFC commentator Joe Rogan. While this doesn't necessarily mean Penn will retire (feigning retirement after a loss seems to be one of Penn's favorite hobbies), he might be telling the truth this time.

Penn's retirement would be to the detriment of MMA fans since there's still some life left in his career.

What do we still want to see from him? Why shouldn't he retire yet? Read and find out.

Unfinished Business with Jon Fitch

B.J. Penn still needs to settle the score with perennial outcast Jon Fitch.

The two last met at UFC 127 and fought to a (controversial) draw. Fitch has since campaigned for a rematch multiple times to no avail.

Whether or not you enjoy Fitch's fighting style, he deserves a second chance at fighting Penn and Penn needs to fight Fitch (and beat him) to solidify his legacy at welterweight.

He Can Be Better with a Better Training Camp

Penn could return to the top echelon of MMA fighters if he just trained with the top echelon of MMA fighters.

Penn could drop out of the welterweight division permanently and then train with former rival Georges St.Pierre at either Tri-Star up in Montreal or Greg Jackson's down in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

He could also switch weight classes and go train at the American Kickboxing Academy with dominant wrestlers such as Jon Fitch, Josh Koscheck, Daniel Cormier and UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez.

He could even go to train with Anderson Silva and company at Black House.

Penn shouldn't retire; he should just retire his old way of training and embrace a new one. He can still be competitive, he just needs to be pushed more in training.

Still Some Good Fights at Lightweight

There are a plethora of contenders in the UFC lightweight division.

Adding B.J. Penn into the mix might make the lightweight scene more convoluted, but it'll also provide entertaining fights for the fans. It would even give Penn an opportunity to retire on a high note, having defeated any one of lightweight division's up-and-coming fighters.

He Could Drop to Featherweight

If Penn isn't content with the lightweight division, a drop to featherweight isn't out of the question. Penn would give the thin division a shot in the arm and much more fan interest than it currently has.

The UFC should seriously consider suggesting this to Penn and Penn should consider doing this to revitalize his career and put featherweight on the map.