Natural Born Killer, Step Up!

Jon Fitch just announced that he was injured in training and can no longer fight BJ Penn in UFC 132.  The details of the injury have not come to light yet, so the implications are unclear.  However, this is a bad predicament both for BJ Penn and the welterweight division.

BJ Penn may be on the verge of retirement.  Although he should be ranked in the top 5 in both the lightweight and welterweight divisions, he does not seem to be an immediate threat to the belt-holders of either division.  There are only a few fights that can make sense for him at this point in his career.  A rematch against Jon Fitch is one of them.

If Fitch can recover in order to fight by August of this year, then my concerns may be moot.  However, if it will be longer than that, then BJ needs to take another fight.  Why?  First, because at age 32 he's not getting any younger.  And, second, because the fans LOVE watching BJ fight.  He is one of the biggest names in UFC history.  It would be a travesty to keep him on the sidelines for much longer.

So, join me in speculating on who the UFC might line up against BJ for UFC 132.

1. Thiago "The Pitbull" Alves: Aside from GSP, he would probably be the most talented striker that BJ has ever faced.  Thiago is vicious and aggressive and has punished almost everyone in the division, including Koscheck and Hughes... but not Fitch or GSP.  This would be a tough fight for BJ.  However, BJ previously dismantled a similar, and perhaps more talented fighter, in Diego Sanchez.
2. Anthony "Rumble" Johnson: Rumble is ready.  He's nowhere near as experienced as The Prodigy.  However, he's multi-dimensional and could be a belt-holder in the not-too-distant future.  What's most daunting, however, is that before cutting weight, he walks around about 40 pounds heavier than Baby J.
3. Carlos "Natural Born Killer" Condit: He's 11 and 1 since 2006, his only defeat coming in a split-decision to Martin Kampmann.  He's a deadly striker, as he showed by clubbing Dan Hardy in the chin for a knockout victory in UFC 120.  And, perhaps most importantly, he is very Fitch-esque.  Big, tall, strong and well-rounded.  Condit, I think, would be the best step-in for UFC 132.  Here's to hoping!