UFC
B.J. Penn accepts Rory MacDonald's challenge, plans to come out of retirement at UFC 152 in Toronto
Jun 5, 2012 - 9:30:23 PM B.J. Penn accepts Rory MacDonald's challenge, plans to come out of retirement at UFC 152 in Toronto

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

On Monday, 22-year-old UFC welterweight Rory MacDonald called out one of the UFC's legends in "The Prodigy" B.J. Penn. The 33-year-old Penn has been indecisive on staying retired after his loss to Nick Diaz last October, but the UFC has been pushing to see him return to the cage, and MacDonald was the latest to throw his name into the mix for that fight.

Word reached Penn - who had already turned down one possible return fight against Josh Koscheck - and he responded on Tuesday on his personal site, BJPenn.com.

Said Penn, simply, "Rory, I accept your challenge!"

The fight is being targeted for UFC 152 in Toronto on Sept. 22, though it has not yet been signed and finalized. However, with both sides agreeing to the bout, it could be one of the featured attractions on the UFC's third trip to Toronto in a 17-month span.

Penick's Analysis: I'm surprised this is the fight that's going to get Penn back, but I'm still immensely excited for it. MacDonald doesn't yet have a truly marquee win under his belt - though he came close against Carlos Condit in his only career loss - but Penn will absolutely fit that bill should he find a way to defeat him. For Penn, I'm sure this is a fight he believes he can win in returning to action, and after nearly a year out of the cage it will be interesting to see how he looks in this return. He may never fight for a title again, but if he can come back and defeat the young upstart in MacDonald, he can certainly attempt to start that run again.

[B.J. Penn art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]