• UFC 127

Winner of Penn v Fitch gets UFC title shot - White

ESPN staff
February 15, 2011
BJ Penn and Jon Fitch have a huge prize to fight for at UFC 127 © Getty Images
Enlarge

To guarantee your front-row seat for UFC 127 on February 26, subscription details can be found here.

UFC president Dana White confirmed on Tuesday that the winner of Jon Fitch v BJ Penn will be next in line for a shot at the UFC welterweight title.

Penn and Fitch headline UFC 127 in Sydney, in a bout that previously carried plenty of intrigue, but lacked clarity as to where it would put either fighter in their respective careers.

Fitch has won 13 of 14 UFC bouts, losing only once to champion Georges St-Pierre. That defeat was so one-sided that he has struggled to earn a second crack ever since. Penn has moved up from lightweight after losing his title to Frankie Edgar, but he too has a devastating loss to St-Pierre on his record.

However, the likelihood is GSP could be about to vacate his crown if he beats Jake Shields at UFC 129, allowing him to pursue middleweight champion Anderson Silva. Regardless of his move, White confirmed Penn v Fitch is crucial.

"Let's face it, the reality is BJ Penn has held titles in both weight classes, Fitch has fought for the title and has literally dominated that division for a long time, [he] just couldn't win the title," White said. "They're definitely in the title picture.

"Either one of these guys that wins this fight is in the mix. They're the No. 1 guy."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices