BJ Penn is not giving up just yet.
The UFC is currently targeting Penn vs. Ricardo Lamas as the main event of UFN Fight Night 97, which is scheduled to take place at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philipines on Oct. 15. The fight would take place in the featherweight division.
Penn announced his return to fighting earlier this year, however, he has yet to actually compete. In fact, his return has been delayed three due to a series of different circumstances. Most notable was his six-month suspension from USADA after he disclosed the use of an IV infusion in excess of 50 mL in a six-hour period during an out-of-competition drug test taken on March 25. The suspension comes to an end on Sept. 25.
Originally, Penn was scheduled to fight Dennis Siver, then Cole Miller, but now he gets the former No. 1 contender Lamas. The 37-year-old Penn (16-10-2), who is expected to train for this fight at JacksonWink MMA in Albuquerque, N.M., has not fought since 2014 and hasn't won since 2010.
Lamas (16-5) is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Max Holloway at UFC 199 in June. He's 3-2 since losing to Jose Aldo at UFC 169 in a featherweight title fight.
This event will mark the UFC's second in the Philipines. UFN 66, also held in Manila, was headlined by Urijah Faber vs. Frankie Edgar in May 2015.
