BJ Penn challenges Nik Lentz to face him at UFC 197 in March
UFC Hall of Famer BJ Penn appears ready to come out of retirement after challenging Nik Lentz to a fight at UFC 197 as part of the card featuring Rafael dos Anjos against Conor McGregor.
Penn just recently traveled to Albuquerque, New Mexico to start working with coach Greg Jackson and his team at Jackson-Winkeljohn MMA and now it appears the former lightweight and welterweight champion is intent on a comeback.
Penn took to Instagram on Wednesday to officially challenge Lentz, who he's shared bad blood with over the last few months after a dust up concerning nutritionist Mike Dolce after he worked with both fighters.
"This is a formal challenge for Nik Lentz to meet me in the Octagon March 5th in Las Vegas," Penn wrote. "Nik you wrote a silly poem about me making fun of me, you said stuff about me and my parents, and you been making a #bringpennback hashtag.
"I ask you today to be a man and back up everything you said, talk the talk, walk the walk -- uncle BJ is mad already."
Penn has hinted at a comeback previously but now it seems he's ready, willing and able to book his return to the UFC as early as March with a fight against Lentz. Penn mentioned Lentz as a possible opponent when he appeared on "UFC Tonight" last October and their war of words only continued until now.
Penn went just 1-5-1 during his last seven fights with the UFC before retiring after his last battle with Frankie Edgar ended by TKO at "The Ultimate Fighter" finale in July 2014.
