Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008 | 1 p.m.
Lightweight champion B.J. Penn will try to become the first fighter in UFC history to hold two UFC championships at the same time when he faces Georges St-Pierre for the welterweight title at UFC 94 on Jan. 31, 2009 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
The bout marks the highly anticipated rematch from the two fighters' March 2006 fight, where St-Pierre scored a narrow split decision on his way to the welterweight title.
“This may be the most anticipated rematch in UFC history,” UFC President Dana White said. “Their first fight was an epic battle of two of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport.”
After his loss to St-Pierre, Penn dropped down to the lightweight division, where he won the organization’s 155-pound crown.
The Hilo, Hawaii, native (14-4-1), who won a welterweight title in 2004 by defeating Matt Hughes, said he is more prepared this time around for St-Pierre.
“For that fight, I was at a point in my career where I didn’t prepare as well as I should have,” Penn said. “During the second and third round I realized that I ran into someone that wanted it more than I did. Now I’m very prepared to go five rounds.”
St-Pierre (17-2) said he’s ready for the rematch and knows this is a match MMA fans have waited for.
“I’m very honored to fight B.J. Penn and very excited because it’s the fight that everybody wants to see, including myself,” said St-Pierre, who has won nine of his last 10 matches.
“It will be one of the most anticipated fights in UFC history, and I’m glad and humbled to be a part of it.”
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