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Both the UFC lightweight champion and UFC welterweight champion have many Octagon trips before they should find each other across the cage from one another. Outside of light heavyweight, 170-pounds have been the UFC’s big fight producer since Matt Hughes first slammed a man like he was a bale of hay. St. Pierre has been tabbed—and proven himself thus far—as the future. However, between the Matt Hughes and Matt Serra sagas, “Rush” only has one successful title defense, which came this past Saturday against Jon Fitch. With plenty of solid contenders getting ready to challenge the French-Canadian (winner of Thiago Alves/Diego Sanchez, Yoshiyuki Yoshida, Dong Hyun Kim), there is no reason St. Pierre has to take such risky drop in fight before addressing what’s in front of him. Furthermore, there is nothing to gain from a loss to a lightweight no matter how talented. Penn, too, has only had one title defense. He first captured his title against Joe Stevenson in January after the belt was stripped from Sean Sherk. Penn then defeated “The Muscle Shark” in May in his first and lone defense so far. Penn’s win was technically a title defense yet the hype behind the fight suggested it was his first go at legitimacy to the 155-pound gold. Dana White and Joe Silva sought to reestablish the lightweight division after its hiatus with Penn. When “The Prodigy” resisted and fought at 170-pounds, they still wanted the Hawaiian to immerse himself in the most exciting division in the sport. Every weight class needs an unbeatable champion and Penn is looking like the answer at 155-pounds. So why allow him back into the situation the UFC tried to pry him away from? There are many logistics behind the fight that need to be worked out. A fight between St. Pierre and Penn is inevitable due to the controversy surrounding the first bout. But this particular super-fight isn’t going to be two fighters at their height of popularity and dominance. It’s too soon. If both fighters are 4-0 in four title defenses and then decide to go across weights to find a worthy challenger, it means much more. MMA fans look at boxing like the plague, but that is one blue print from the Sweet Science that works well in the sport. Since Penn is moving up, does he have to relinquish his title at 155-pounds? If so, does he get to bypass the contenders at 170-pounds and get a title shot? If he gets to keep his lightweight title and challenge for St. Pierre’s and wins, can he defend both or does he have to choose one? These are just a handful of the questions in a situation far more complex than my low-wave brain can comprehend. Answers to these questions, however, are bound to leave fighters and fans unhappy. The depth and danger that remains in their weight classes is no secret. There is no need to rush the champions on to super-fight adventures at this juncture. Both obviously want to fight the best and at no fault of their own. That is what champions should desire. And sure, the winner will emerge as a strong pound-for-pound king candidate. However, the loser just damaged or destroyed their credibility as a champion in their respective class. It also has the potential to set a negative precedent in MMA. Rather than the UFC find the best in the world through cross promotion, they will search within their own ranks. In cases like this, it’s legitimate, but there still needs to be room for the Jake Shields and Robbie Lawler’s of the world. After all the work done so far to build these champions and what needs to be done in the future, B.J. Penn versus St. Pierre is a preemptive strike. But when fighters like St. Pierre and Penn deliver any kind of strike, I’ll sure be watching.
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