MIXED Martial Arts legend BJ Penn makes his return after a two-year absence when he clashes with Ricardo Lamas in the featured fight of Ultimate Fighting Championship: Fight Night Manila on Oct. 15 at Mall of Asia Arena.
A former lightweight and welterweight champion, Penn, 37, hasn’t fought since the middle of 2014 when he suffered a third straight loss to Frankie Edgar.
But the lure of the octagon proved too enticing to resist with Penn, a two-time UFC champion, highlighting the second huge card of the world’s top mixed martial arts organization in Manila.
“I’m just trying to go out there and make an honest living, but besides that, [what keeps me coming back is] the beauty of the sport; it’s so fun and I never stop learning,” Penn said in the press launch last Wednesday at Forbes Ballroom inside Conrad Hotel. “I just can’t get enough of it. There’s nothing better than that.”
Penn will be fighting at featherweight, where Lamas is the fourth-ranked fighter in the division. Penn hopes the fight will be a stepping stone in his bid for a third UFC crown.
“I’m at 145 and I’m going to climb the [featherweight] ladder. I’m going to get the belt,” Penn said.
Lamas, who was also at the launch, is relishing the experience of fighting one of the sport’s legends.
“For me, it’s all about creating memories that I can pass on to my son and grandchildren,” the 34-year-old fighter said. “Now, one of the memories I’ll be able to pass on is the new ‘Thrilla in Manila’ with the two-division champion BJ Penn.”
Tickets for the card are available at SM tickets with VIP seats priced at P12,500 and general admission pegged at P1,350. Cedelf P. Tupas