Loretta Hunt from TheFightNetwork.com is reporting that we may see a UFC lightweight title fight between BJ Penn and Joe Stevenson at UFC 79 in December.
The one-year suspension of champion Sean Sherk for alleged steroid use following his July 7 title defense to Hermes Franca at UFC 73 in Sacramento, Calif., has stalled plans to have the Minnesotan wrestler face number-one contender B.J. Penn at Nov. 17’s UFC 78 in Newark, N.J.
And while it appeared that Penn has been patiently awaiting a new opponent for Nov. in the interim, the popular Hawaiian’s camp has confirmed their leader is now preparing for a Dec. 29 match-up at UFC 79 in Las Vegas, Nev.
Sherk faces the California State Athletic Commission on Oct. 31 to appeal his case, but if he cannot shake the suspension and is stripped of his title by Zuffa LLC, Penn (11-4-1) could face UFC 74 standout Joe Stevenson (28-7).
“I was told I was definitely fighting in December or January,” said Stevenson Thursday. “I think there’s a strong possibility I’ll face B.J. Penn.”
My guess is that Sean Sherk’s year-long suspension will be upheld by the athletic commission and he will subsequently be stripped of his title by the UFC. That being the case, a matchup between BJ Penn and Joe Stevenson for the vacant lightweight title would be exactly what the doctor ordered, in my opinion. Stevenson continues to roll through opponents in the 155 lb class and deserves the next title shot. Penn is actually less deserving of the title shot in my opinion, considering his only fight at lightweight was against Jens Pulver at the TUF 5 Season Finale. While I do agree that “The Prodigy” is at the top of the weightclass, having only one fight in the division after losing two straight fights at welterweight doesn’t seem like valid grounds for a title shot.
Either way, I’m looking forward to a Penn vs Sherk or Penn vs Stevenson matchup for the New Year’s show.
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Tags: UFC, MMA, UFC 79, Joe Stevenson, BJ Penn, Sean Sherk
(via MMA HQ - Mixed Martial Arts News and Analysis)