An immediate rematch between welterweights BJ Penn and Jon Fitch that had been expected for later this year now appears unlikely.
Penn and Fitch discussed the matchup on Twitter in recent days as both fighters prepare to return from shoulder injuries that scrapped the rematch of their February draw from UFC 132 earlier this month.
While Penn and Fitch signed off on another meeting, the UFC apparently did not, as matchmaker Joe Silva reportedly told Penn “the fans don’t want it and I’m not interested.”
With Fitch seemingly out of the running, fellow contender Carlos Condit jumped at the opportunity to call for a matchup with Penn, and “The Prodigy” quickly gave it the green-light for UFC 137.
The matchup still needs the UFC’s approval to be added to the October 29 event in Las Vegas, which is headlined by 170-pound champion Georges St-Pierre against former Strikeforce title-holder Nick Diaz.
Meanwhile, Fitch is still on track to return at UFC 138 on November 19 in his adopted hometown of San Jose, but who he will fight remains a question, with Jake Shields and Jake Ellenberger booked to headline UFC Fight Night 25 in September.
