When you get the dice, just roll it. That's what I've done my whole life.
That is what BJ Penn told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour when announcing his comeback to MMA.
The 37-year-old, an MMA legend, last fought in July 2014, a loss to Frankie Edgar in his featherweight debut.
Following that third round TKO defeat to Edgar, Penn retired from the sport, feeling that he no longer compete at the top level.
Penn is one of just two fighters to win titles in two different weight classes, lightweight and welterweight. With his comeback, he aims to become the first UFC fighter to win titles in three weight classes.
I want to go get that 145-pound belt. That's definitely a huge motivation for me. I believe with Greg Jackson's help, I can get that done. And I believe that I will be able to walk away as the only man with three titles in three weight divisions.
For his comeback, Penn will be training under Greg Jackson, coach to such notable UFC stars as Jon Jones, Holly Holm and Andrei Arlovski.
I'm going through with this. If I didn't have somebody like Greg Jackson to come out and talk to me and tell me that I can do this... of course you're always going to believe that you're the best, you're always going to believe that you can be the champ. But once in a while, you do have to step back and get someone else's outside opinion.
And somebody like Greg, he tells me something like that? I look at him, and who cares what everybody else is saying around the world? Have they done what Greg Jackson has done? Do they even know the game at all? This is going to be fun.
According to MMA Junkie's John Morgan, UFC president Dana White is onboard with a return for Penn.
Just heard from @danawhite on @bjpenn’s planned return. Seemed supportive, though wrote via text, "I don't know when or who he will fight."
— John Morgan (@MMAjunkieJohn) January 19, 2016
Reaction regarding Penn's return has, mostly, been negative.
Unless Greg Jackson made BJ Penn physically un-shot, there's literally no ranked 145er I'd pick Penn to beat. Not even Elkins or Guida.
— Mookie Alexander (@mookiealexander) January 19, 2016
I’m still hesitant about a BJ Penn comeback, but I don’t see Greg Jackson getting behind him unless he thought BJ had something left.
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) January 19, 2016
Of course I'll watch it, but can't get excited for a BJ Penn fight after that last beating vs. Frankie.
— Guilherme Cruz (@guicruzzz) January 19, 2016
Why would GJ take on BJ? Because there's no downside. If BJ can beat Phillipe Nover, GJ's a genius. If not, oh well, BJ was old and lazy.
— Scott Harris (@ScottHarrisMMA) January 19, 2016
