Penn-Sanchez title fight Saturday in UFC 107

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Given all the disruption that’s happened in UFC main events recently, Saturday night’s lightweight title defense by B.J. Penn against Diego Sanchez in Memphis, Tenn., would’ve been better viewed at the UFC’s annual New Year’s showcase event, which comes Jan. 2 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Following heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar‘s illness and a fight-scratching injury to heavyweight Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira to scuttle the Jan. 2 card, UFC officials made some inquiries into possibly moving the Penn-Sanchez fight to the more attractive venue and date, according to an organization source familiar with the talks but not authorized to speak publicly.

‘It’s time for us, the fighters, to pick it up and I’m hoping for a great card,’ Penn said.

Penn-Sanchez provides MMA fans a chance to see the respected champion make his third title defense against San Diego’s Sanchez (23-2), who’s won four consecutive fights, including two against Joe Stevenson and Clay Guida since moving down from welterweight.

‘This is what I’ve been working toward for eight years.... It’s been one tough road to climb to the top of this -- to put myself in this position,’ Sanchez said in a recent conference call.

Penn has worked with conditioning trainer Marv Marinovich before this fight, praising the father of former USC and Oakland Raiders quarterback Todd Marinovich.

‘I honestly believe ... that he’s head over heels above everything else out there,’ Penn said.

--Lance Pugmire