• UFC 123

Hughes fight gave me 'reason to live' - Penn

ESPN staff
November 17, 2010
BJ Penn comes into UFC 123 on the back of two defeats © Getty Images
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BJ Penn has admitted his showdown with Matt Hughes has given him "a reason to live".

Penn takes on Hughes at UFC 123 in Michigan on Saturday, looking to avoid a third-straight defeat after back -to-back defeats to Frankie Edgar at UFC 112 and UFC 118.

In only the sixth time in UFC history, Penn takes on old rival Hughes in a third fight. In their first meeting at UFC 46 in 2004, Penn stunned Hughes to end his unbeaten run and produced a rear naked choke to claim the UFC welterweight title.

However, in their last meeting at UFC 63, Hughes had his revenge with a third-round TKO victory to even the score. The pair have not met since September 2006, and Penn admitted it was "a gift" to be offered a third clash by UFC president Dana White.

"I was kind of bummed out [after the loss to Edgar]," Penn said. "When I got home after the fight, there were a couple of days where I didn't train. I just hung out, and there was nothing to do. I don't want to sit in the bar and drink. I didn't get banged or bruised up too much, so I just got back to training and thought about getting the lightweight title back.

"After two losses I would have fought anybody, but it was kind of a gift from Dana to get to fight Matt. I think when you've been where we have been, a lot of other things seem boring. This is what gives me a reason to live. When I got that text [from Dana], I got chicken skin all over my body. I've got a reason to live for a few more months."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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