• UFC 137

BJ Penn ready to make Diaz fight a 5-round war

ESPN staff
October 20, 2011
BJ Penn's cardio has been questioned in the past © Getty Images
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BJ Penn has told UFC president Dana White that he is one phone call away from making the UFC 137 clash with Nick Diaz a five-round war.

Penn v Diaz has been promoted to main event status following the withdrawal of Georges St-Pierre from his welterweight title collision with Carlos Condit. Moving forward, all main events - regardless of whether a title is on the line - will be five-round battles, beginning with Chris Leben v Mark Munoz at UFC 138.

White believes it would be unfair to ask Penn and Diaz, at short notice, to prepare for 10 further minutes inside the Octagon, but both men appear to be up for the challenge. Diaz's coach, Cesar Gracie, laid down the challenge earlier in the week, and now Penn has told Gracie to put his money where his mouth is.

"I want to be compensated [for the extra rounds] accordingly. That's it," Penn said. "I'm more than willing to do a five-round fight.

"If Dana wants a five-round fight, just give me a call and we can put it together right now.

"Or if Cesar wants to make it a five-round fight and he wants to compensate me personally, he can put his money where his mouth is, it's that easy. I've been training to fight. I'm ready to fight."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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