Following a three round vicious bout with Nick Diaz at UFC 137, a battered BJ Penn announced to UFC broadcaster Joe Rogan his retirement from pro-fighting during his post fight interview. A CompuStrike report pegged the final striking tally at 239-76 in Diaz’s favor, and while his right eye bore the marks of a war, it paled in comparison to the damage on Penn’s face.
“This is probably the last time you’re going to see me here,” Penn said. “I’ve got a daughter, another daughter on the way. I don’t want to go home looking like this. I’m done.”
With Saturday’s loss, Penn has gone 1-3-1 in his last five fights. His career mark is 16-8-2 and he has held the UFC Welterweight and Lightweight Championships.
UFC President Dana White however, does not see this as being Penn’s last time in the octagon as he was quoted saying, “B.J. is a warrior,” White said. “What happened to him tonight has never happened to him in his entire career. What he’s thinking tonight he might not think eight weeks from now.”
