BJ Penn was supposed to make his return to the Octagon at UFC 199 versus Dennis Siver, but then Siver was injured. Cole Miller stepped in as a late replacement, but then it was revealed Penn had been suspended by the USADA for an anti-doping violation. Penn was suspended for six months after he revealed that he used an IV out of competition, which is against USADA’s policy.
The six month suspension began March 25th, making Penn eligible for return on September 25th. Penn looks to be wasting no time and has been booked for an October 15th fight versus Ricardo Lamas in the Philippines.
Manila – UFC®, the world’s premier MMA organization, has announced its main event for UFC FIGHT NIGHT® Manila. This year’s card will be headlined by a five-round featherweight bout between returning legendary two division champion BJ The Prodigy Penn (16-10-2, fighting out of Hilo, Hawaii, USA) and No.4 ranked Ricardo The Bully Lamas (16-5-0, Fighting out of Chicago, Illinois, USA). Filipinos can expect fireworks in what is primed to be an explosive night of fights headlined by two of the world’s best featherweights.
BJ Penn is a name within MMA and the UFC that needs little introduction. A living legend within the sport, he is one of only two multi-division champions ever in UFC and the longest reigning lightweight division champion of all time, Penn is credited with helping to establish the lighter weight division of the UFC. His name when spoken by fans, fighters and MMA journalist alike is usually followed by the phrase one of the greatest ever…
Looking to build a legend of his own is #4 ranked featherweight Ricardo Lamas. An All-American collegiate wrestler with impeccable credentials, The Bully is a veteran of the division with signature finishes over Cub Swanson and Dennis Bermudez. Lamas is looking for a high profile win to put him back on track for a title shot.
source: ufc.com
Lamas is the third opponent Penn has been scheduled to fight since announcing his return, after Dennis Siver and then Cole Miller. Let’s hope the third time is a charm. It should help that Penn will be training at Jackson/Wink MMA in Albuquerque, N.M.
Lamas lost a decision to then featherweight champion Jose Aldo at UFC 169 on February 1, 2014, and has gone 3-2 since, with wins over Hacran Dias, Dennis Bermudez, and Diego Sanchez. Lamas was KOed by Chad Mendes in the first round last year, and is coming off a decision loss to Max Holloway in his last fight.
It is a little difficult to discern the UFC’s aim here. Lamas, who might look at first glance like a 50-50 fighter his last six, is ranked #4 in the ferocious featherweight division. Lamas represents a far tougher test for Penn than did Siver or Miller. The UFC clearly is not intent on giving Penn a fight where the oddsmakers will have him the favorite. Penn remains a draw; it was not necessary to give him a top 5 opponent to put him on the main event of a UFN in Philippines. On the other hand, a win over Lamas could conceivably set Penn up for title shot, or at the very least, a #1 contender fight.
