Many state that my next opponent should be BJ Penn. Nothing has obviously been signed yet, but he is my number one challenger. I believe he deserves a chance to challenge me for my title, but we'll see what happens on that matter in the next few weeks...
On my end, however, I don't know if I'll be stepping back into the Octagon before 2009. I've fought four times in the last 12 months. I therefore need some rest. I like the life I lead, but I sometimes need to relax. It's not the fight as such that's exhausting; it's all the preparation that comes with it. I've made so many sacrifices to prepare myself. During training camps, I practically do not live anymore. It's therefore on a psychological level that I need to recharge.
After Penn called GSP out at UFC 87, a superfight between Penn and GSP on New Year's weekend seemed inevitable. But, after defeating Jon Fitch, Matt Serra, Matt Hughes and Josh Koscheck in a year's time, it appears that GSP needs a break and it's difficult to argue that he doesn't deserve it.
From GSP's post-fight reaction to his most recent blog entry, it's apparent that Penn is hungrier for this matchup than GSP. And that's understandable considering Penn has more to gain and less to lose from the fight.
If Penn wins, he'll cement himself as an MMA great and reign supreme over two weight classes. If he loses, he keeps his lightweight title and goes back to fighting 155ers. No big deal.
If GSP wins, it's just another title defense against a fighter he has already defeated, but if he loses, he's left with another short-title run and no championship belt.
The big question to come out of this is if the GSP vs. Penn superfight is put on ice for a bit; is the UFC going to ask Penn to defend his lightweight title in the meantime? There is a lot of buzz for a Florian vs. Penn fight, but it doesn't seem as though Penn is interested in the least.
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