UFC legend BJ Penn returned to the octagon at last month’s UFC 232 event in Los Angeles for a lightweight fight with Ryan Hall.
Unfortunately for the former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion, Penn’s return to 155-pounds did not go as planned.
After a good opening two minutes for Penn, Ryan Hall was able to catch BJ in a slick heel hook submission.
The torque from the leg lock forced an immediate tap from the Hawaiian legend, marking the first time in Penn’s illustrious career that he had been submitted.
BJ Penn recently spoke with Chris Taylor where he issued the following statement on his UFC 232 submission loss to Ryan Hall.
“I was shocked at how deep Ryan [Hall] was able to sink in the leg lock right off the hop. The timing was perfect. I tried to run and pull my leg out, but I wasn’t going anywhere as my knee was still stuck inside his hips. So I tried to defend my knee and turn it up towards the sky. By the time I looked back he had already switched to the heel hook and my ankle just popped.”
BJ Penn continued:
“You know I felt like I had one of the greatest training camps in my life for this fight. Training in Brazil at Nova Uniao was nothing short of amazing. I can’t thank Leo Santos and coach Andre Pederneiras enough for their efforts. We had practiced everything, including leg locks, and I felt great. It just didn’t work out this time around.”
Taylor asked Penn how his leg was doing now two weeks removed from the loss.
“It is swollen. There’s some bruising and what not. But it wasn’t my knee. It was my ankle that popped. It is what it is. Hats off to Ryan Hall, that submission was the perfect storm.”
As for what is next, the fighting future of “The Prodigy” remains uncertain at this time.
“I just got back home to Hawaii. I’m going to let my ankle heal up and then I will contemplate what is next for my life.”
Prior to being finished by Ryan Hall, BJ Penn was coming off a majority decision loss to Dennis Siver in a featherweight contest at UFC Fight Night 112.
Penn’s most recent victory came at UFC 123 in November of 2010 when he knocked out Matt Hughes in the very first-round of their highly anticipated trilogy fight.
How did you think “The Prodigy” looked in his return to lightweight at UFC 232? Would you like to see him fight again? Sound off in the comments section PENN Nation!