Frankie Edgar Says Retirement Is “Probably What’s Best” for B.J. Penn
With three prior fights against BJ Penn, Frankie Edgar gives his own perspective on the UFC Hall of Famer’s fighting future.
Though without a win since 2010, B.J. Penn’s fighting career continues on. In fact, the former Lightweight kingpin fought as recently as this month.
His opponent that night was Clay Guida, the latest defeat of a streak that’s left Penn winless in his last eight. Unsurprisingly, Penn’s form has left many hoping for his re-retirement. Though admittedly uncertain of his old foe’s motivation, Frankie Edgar is seemingly apart of that very group. Talking to MMA Junkie, Edgar gave his own perspective on Penn’s recent struggles. “I watched B.J. coming up and his highlights and it’s tough seeing him lose fight after fight,” he admitted.
“But he’s the guy in there, not me. He knows what the deal is, he knows what he wants to accomplish, so I can’t knock anybody that wants to do what they want to do. Do I wish he would retire and just enjoy life? Probably. It’s probably what’s best for his body, but I don’t really know what’s going on in his head. … I’m sure everybody has a little piece in it, but ultimately it’s up to him. No one is putting a gun to his head and making him fight. It’s all on him.”
Edgar fought Penn three times, famously taking his UFC Lightweight Title in 2010. That result shocked most onlookers, with Edgar entering as a major underdog before scoring a unanimous decision win. Edgar repeated the feat in an immediate rematch too, dominating proceedings in a defining moment for ‘The Answer.’ In 2014, Edgar defeated Penn for a third time, stopping an admittedly aged version of the UFC Hall of Famer. Following that loss, Penn announced his retirement yet again but has since returned.
Though their trilogy was always rooted in a deep respect and admiration, Edgar seems to share the majority’s view when it comes to Penn’s fighting future.
