Max Holloway not counting out BJ Penn vs Ricardo Lamas

MANILA, Philippines – Although many cageside observers believe that Ricardo Lamas will easily cruise to a victory against BJ Penn, No. 3-ranked UFC featherweight Max Holloway begs to disagree, as he gives the mixed martial arts (MMA) legend a fighting chance. 

Penn is set to square off with Lamas in the main event of UFC Fight Night Manila 2 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on October 15.

Holloway stressed that Penn could not be counted out as the 37-year-old Hawaiian is a battle-tested competitor, who has accomplished so much in the sport of MMA. 

“I think the favorite to win is Ricardo. There are ways that BJ can win, and there are ways that Ricardo can win. And there are ways both of them can lose. It’s a fight. But BJ is BJ. He’s always in a fight,” he told Rappler. 

Penn is one of the only two fighters in UFC history to win world titles in multiple weight classes, submitting Matt Hughes for the welterweight championship in January 2004 before adding the lightweight belt to his resume 4 years later with a second-round submission win over Joe “Daddy” Stevenson. 

However, Penn has been out of action for over two years following his brief retirement and is coming off a 3-fight losing skid. 

For his comeback bout, Penn is currently working with New Mexico-based trainer Greg Jackson, who also mentors the likes of Jon Jones, Carlos Condit and Holly Holm. 

In the other corner, Lamas is fresh from a unanimous decision loss to Holloway in June and has only won 3 of his last 5 professional outings since yielding to then-UFC featherweight titleholder Jose Aldo.

When asked if Penn could turn back the clock versus Lamas, Holloway replied: “Let’s see October 15. I can’t speak for him. I don’t train with him. October 15, we’re going to see.”

Holloway sees an even match-up between two highly-decorated fighters and admitted that he is intrigued to see the outcome of the 5-round featherweight clash.

“It will be a fight. I am excited to watch this fight as a fan. Let’s see what happens,” he said. – Rappler.com