B.J. Penn is a UFC Hall of Famer and one of the most beloved and well-respected fighters ever; but after losing the lightweight title to Frankie Edgar, Penn’s career took a nosedive, losing four of his final six fights before retiring in 2014. That retirement was short-lived though, as Penn made his comeback in 2017, losing to Yair Rodriguez early in the year and coming up short against Dennis Siver last June. Well, it appears the Siver fight may be the last time we see “The Prodigy” compete in MMA.

Penn made a special appearance at yesterday’s UFC 222 open workouts, as the masked training partner of women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg. After putting on a show with Cyborg, Penn spoke with MMAnytt, answering questions about his current status and saying that, while he won’t rule it out permanently, at the moment he has no plans on fighting again.

“I’ve got nothing scheduled,” said Penn. “I’m just cruising. I don’t know, I guess I don’t know what to say. The door is always open. The door is always open. I don’t ever want to say ‘never’ but I don’t have any plans on fighting. But if you’ve got an idea that you think would work well with me, give me a call.”

As other MMA legends are seemingly intent on coming back again, Penn’s potential retirement is a relief. “The Prodigy” is one of the most beloved fighters in MMA history but in recent years he has become one of the key touchstones in the ongoing conversation among MMA fans of “when should older fighters retire?” Pushing 40 and being winless since 2010, Penn’s continued will to fight was unsettling to many. Even Penn himself admitted in 2014 that he “couldn’t do it anymore,” so if this is the end of Penn’s fight career, it didn’t come a moment too soon.

Penn is one of only four men to have ever won titles in multiple weight classes in the UFC. He won the welterweight title by submitting Matt Hughes at UFC 46 and the lightweight title at UFC 80. Penn was also part of the UFC’s first ever ‘Champion vs. Champion’ superfight when he fought Georges St-Pierre at UFC 94. He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2015 in the Modern-Era Wing.

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MUST-READ STORIES

Bellator. Bellator 195 weigh-ins went down with all main card fighters making weight.

USADA. USADA to introduce pilot program for ‘friendlier’ new blood testing of UFC athletes.

Prodigy. Cris Cyborg had fun with a theatrically masked partner at UFC 222 workouts.

Dern. Mackenzie Dern discusses fascination with her accent, why she’s ready for UFC stage.

Jon Fitch. Jon Fitch has signed with Bellator MMA.

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VIDEO STEW

Embedded.

Looking into UFC 222.

Embracing the pot sub-culture is an excellent fight gimmick.

Nick Diaz reviews Bloodsport.

MMA just sounds classier with these accents.

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LISTEN UP

The MMA Beat. Discussing all things Jon Jones and USADA.

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

How every fighter doesn’t look at this and realize they’re getting screwed is baffling.

“Thanks, Mr. McGregor”

And Conor showing the love.

He did it! Sage is perfect.

Miffed.

Truly insane to think he was ever a WW.

Just fight, please.

Bromance.

Bader throwing it back to a simpler time when the sport wasn’t dying.

Congrats.

Alexey Oleynik is so dad.

What is the spirit realm like and did another Francis Ngannou there have to punch you back to our reality?

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

N/A.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

The main event of Bellator 195 tonight is excellent so you should definitely watch that. Otherwise, enjoy the weekend and the fights and see y’all back here on Monday.

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EXIT POLL

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