B.J. Penn Loses, Says He’s Probably Retiring to Avoid Being Beat Up

B.J. Penn lost to Nick Diaz at UFC 137 in Las Vegas Saturday night and said afterwards he was probably done fighting.

“This is probably the last time you’re ever going to see me in [the octagon],” a beat up Penn said. “I want to perform at the top level.

“I got a daughter, I’ve got another daughter on the way … I don’t want to go home looking like this.”

Penn was bloodied and bruised more than ever. His left eye and surrounding area was discolored and swollen, and he was bleeding around his nose and the rest of his face.

But we’ve learned not to take fighters for their word after they lose. They’re generally beat up, feeling like crap, and discouraged. They’re also disappointed to see their hard work go for nothing. Once they begin to recover, the inspiration comes back and they often want to return to fighting.

Penn is only 32 years old so it would be a big surprise if he retired. However, he’s now 1-3-1 since 2010, and maybe he’s not performing at the top level the way he used to. Before he makes a decision, he should note that this was a difficult matchup; he was facing a taller man who had a six-inch reach advantage. That was one of the big differences in the fight.