BJ Penn: Why GSP won’t be remembered, and I will

UFC Hall of Famer and two-division champion BJ Penn appeared recently on BJPenn.com’s Rapid Fire podcast for a wide-ranging discussion.

Penn fought welterweight G.O.A.T. Georges St-Pierre twice, losing a split decision in 2006, and suffering a corner stoppage in 2009. Penn recently called for a trilogy fight but was respectfully rebuffed by GSP. The Canadian pointed instead to fights with Nick Diaz and current champion Tyron Woodley, potentially at UFC 206 in December in Toronto.

“BJ Penn is an incredibly dangerous fighter,” said GSP. “He has an incredible set of skills. He goes on Twitter and challenges me, but it’s not a fight that will elevate me.”

BJ Penn was not impressed with the remarks.

I remember when I fought him the first time, when he was nobody, I didn’t think about it being risky for my legacy, said Penn, as transcribed by Milan Ordoñez for BE. That’s why I believe, when all this is said and done, that’s why I’ll be remembered but he will never be remembered.

You know, Anderson Silva was there, he could have fought Anderson Silva, but he never fought Anderson Silva for his legacy. Just as a rule of thumb, for myself personally, I don’t live thinking about my legacy. I’ll fight. I want to fight anyone, you know?

Penn also discusses potential fights at featherweight with Anthony Pettis, Jose Aldo, and Max Holloway. And he reacted to Chael Sonnen signing with Bellator MMA, and CM Punk’s MMA debut at UFC 203.

BJ Penn fights Ricardo Lamas at UFC Fight Night Manila on October 15. And GSP remains in negotiation with the UFC about his return.