UFC has decided to cancel Fight Night 97 after BJ Penn's withdrawal due to his injury. The event is scheduled to take place in Manila on Oct. 15.
UFC cancels the Fight Night 97 on Thursday Oct. 6 after unable to find suitable replacement for Penn accoding to the report by MMA Junkie. Penn was initially scheduled to fight Ricardo Lamas that would mark his comeback to the UFC after more than two years.
“I suffered a rib injury in training and I apologize to the fans in Manila who were expecting to watch me compete,” said Penn explaining his injury.
He pulled out of the Fight Night 97 on Oct.4 citing injury as reported by MMA News. Following his withdrawal, UFC had been trying to find his replacement to fight Lamas, as the event headline.
Regarded as one of the most respectable MMA fighter, and Penn is even mentioned as one of the greatest MMA fighter in the lightweight division. He is the former champion in both lightweight and welterweight, where he dominated both divisions for years. Penn is also well-known for his all-round ability in either standup or ground fighting.
Penn was trained in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Ralph Gracie and he is the holder of 5th degree black belt. Prior to his career in the MMA, he was an acclaimed Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fighter. He was the first non Brazilian that won the black bely division during the 2000 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
His grappling technique attracted the UFC that persuaded him to shift to MMA. In his UFC debut in May 2001, he demonstrated an excellent skills in standup fighting. He knocked out his opponent Joey Gilbert with his striking blow.
During his career in the UFC, Penn has scored 16 wins, 10 losses and 2 draws. His last fight was in July 2014 when he loss by a way of knock out to Frankie Edgar.
Afterward, he tried to make a comeback, and initially earlier this year he was scheduled to fight Cole Miller in June. But he was flagged by anti doping agency USADA for administering a medical IV to rehydrate his body in a non-fight period is deemed as a violation.