WHEN BJ Penn sets foot once again inside the Octagon after his brief retirement, expect rabid Pinoy MMA fans to salivate when “The Prodigy” completes his comeback at UFC Fight Night Manila at the MoA Arena.
But more than the fight fans aching to watch the MMA icon’s return, the man opposite him inside that ring on Oct. 15 shares the same bit of enthusiasm, especially if he’s slugging it out with a future Hall of Famer.
Penn (16-10-2) coming out of a hiatus after retiring in 2014, will take on No. 4-ranked UFC Featherweight contender Ricardo Lamas (16-5-0), with the “The Bully” cherishing the opportunity to fight someone he looks up to.
“I look forward to the fight. It means a lot,” said Lamas during the media launch of the main event at Conrad Hotel in Pasay, Wednesday.
“For me, in this sport, it’s all about creating memories that I can pass on to my grandchildren. Now, one of the memories I’ll be able to pass on is the new ‘Thrilla in Manila’ with the two-division world champion BJ Penn,” the 34-year-old Lamas added.
Meanwhile, Penn focuses his eyes on a bigger prize, hinting a challenge to current Featherweight champ Connor McGregor and his fight with Lamas is certainly a launching pad for that to happen.
“I’m very excited. I’m at 145 and I’m going to climb the ladder. I’m going to get that belt,” said the 37-year-old Penn whose last win dates back 2011.
“I’m the only one going for a third world title and I got a great test in front of me,” he added.
UFC Fight Night Manila will also feature a showdown between No. 3-ranked Japanese title contender Kyoji Horiguchi and Russian Ali Bagautinov in the main card.
Tickets are priced at P12,500 (VIP), P9,500 (Patron), P7,200 (Lower Box A), P6,000 (Lower Box B), P2,350 (Upper Box), and P1,350 (General Admission) plus applicable service charges.
Tickets can be purchased at all SM Tickets outlets or through www.smtickets.com.
